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. Keep an eye on posters around town for one-off events.

Venice Architecture Biennale 2010

Every two years a large architecture exhibition is held in Venice, using the same spaces occupied by the Art Biennale in alternate years. It's an interesting chance to look around the national pavilions in the Giardini, and to visit the vast Arsenale, formerly the Venetian Republic's shipyards, now used for these annual exhibitions. The Architecture Biennale runs from 29th August to 21st November 2010.
> Architecture Biennale website

Venice Film Festival 2010

Venice's annual film festival, which takes place on the Lido, bring a significant dose of glamour to the lagoon. The swanky hotels get booked up with celebrities, industry and entourage, but to be honest the film festival is not very likely to impinge on the consciousness of the average tourist in central Venice. To see the red carpet or attend film showings, catch a boat over to the Lido. The 2010 Film Festival lasts from 1st-11th September 2010.
> Venice Film Festival

Regata Storica

Venice's annual Regata Storica (historic regatta) takes place on 5th September 2010, in the afternoon. There is a grand historic procession of boats down the Grand Canal, followed by competitive racing. Venetian rowing (voga alla Veneta) is an important sport in the lagoon and this is the most important event in the rowing season. Visitors to Venice should note that the Grand Canal is closed to traffic for much of the day, meaning that public transport is severely affected. Be prepared to walk around the city. On the Thursday before the event (the 2nd September) there will be a blessing of boats by the Salute church at
> Regata Storica

Festa della Salute

The 21st November is the occasion for one of Venice's most seriously-celebrated religious festivals, the Festa della Madonna della Salute. A temporary bridge is erected over the Grand Canal in front of the Salute church, and Venetians cross for masses to celebrate the city's historic liberation from plague.
> Festa della Salute

Book ahead for the Carnival

Venice Carnival is the biggest event of the year in Venice, and if you are planning to stay in the city at this time, you should really plan ahead and book your hotel well in advance. There are usually a number of special organised events but most entertainment is to be had simply strolling around the St. Mark's area and admiring extravagant costumes. The 2011 Venice Carnival takes place between the 26th February and 8th March. The dates are quite late in the year, and hopefully the weather will be warming up for spring.
> Venice Carnival