What's on in Venice

See also our Events page for Venice's big annual events and festivals, and our Entertainment page for listings of theatres, year-round concerts and a general run-down of things to do. Winter, apart from the Carnival, is a pretty quiet time, but some of the regular tourist concerts take place, and it's worth checking posters around town for events.

Ceramics market

Until the 1st May (an Italian public holiday) there is a little craft market in Campo San Maurizio, where you can admire and buy home-made ceramics. There are some nice items and some would make great souvenirs or gifts: I particularly liked a set of coffee cups with a handle shaped like a gondola's characteristic ferro (metal prow); there were also all kinds of tiles, fruit bowls, ornaments, pretty mugs and more.

La Sensa

One of Venice's biggest annual traditions takes place on the 4th May 2008. The Festa della Sensa celebrates the relationship between Venice and the sea. It involves a procession of boats traditionally led by the doge (nowadays the mayor) who throws a ring (nowadays a wreath) into the waves to symbolise a marriage between Venice and the sea (or Venice's dominion over the sea, depending on interpretation). A procession of boats heads over to the Lido on Sunday morning, and the big wreath-throwing takes place at 10:30 off the shores of the northern Lido, on the lagoon side by the church of San Nicolò. There is also a strange little flea-market which takes place close to the church where you can buy all sorts of truly bizarre objects.
> Lido.

Rome and the Barbarians at Palazzo Grassi

Palazzo Grassi, a Grand Canal palace belonging to the wealthy Francois Pinault, is hosting an exhibition called Roma e i Barbari - Rome and the Barbarians from 26th January 2008 until 20th July 2008. Tickets are an expensive €15.
> Palazzo Grassi (irritating Flash-based website; don't bother clicking if you don't have a fast broadband connection)