FESTIVALS AND EVENTS
1. Carnival
Feb–Mar, concluding on Shrove Tue, 40 days before Easter
This unmissable 10-day extravaganza takes over the city as a countdown to Lent. The streets mill with costumed and masked local “nobility” or crazily attired visitors. It gets off to a flying start with the Volo dell’Angelo (flight of the angel), when either an acrobat or a cardboard dove is launched from the Campanile in Piazza San Marco, showering onlookers with confetti. The grand finale is Shrove Tuesday’s explosive Mardi Gras.
Carnival-goer in full costume
2. Running Events
www.suezo.it • www.venicemarathon.it
Anyone can join Su e Zo per i Ponti, the leisurely non-competitive walk or run “up and down the bridges” on the fourth Sunday of Lent. But stamina and determination are needed to take part in October’s 42-km (26-mile) Venice Marathon.
3. Festa della Sensa
Head for the Riviera di San Nicolò on Ascension Day to watch this ancient ceremony of “Venice’s wedding to the Sea”, when a costumed “doge” casts a ring into the water amid a procession of celebratory boats. Symbolizing Venice’s maritime supremacy, the event has been staged since Venice took Istria and Dalmatia in AD 997.
4. Art and Artisans
www.unive.it • www.theveniceglassweek.com
From mask making to glassblowing, Venice has long been a creative city. Celebrate this history on June’s Art Night Venezia, when music, theatre, dance, cinema and art can be enjoyed for free. In September, Murano glass is celebrated during The Venice Glass Week, with displays and workshops.
5. Biennale Art Exhibition
The world’s leading international art bonanza is held on a two-yearly basis. The leafy gardens in eastern Castello are the principal venue, supplemented by the Corderie building in the Arsenale.
6. Remembering the Plague
Venetians celebrate the end of the plagues that have afflicted their city. The 1576 plague is commemorated by the Festa del Redentore in mid-July, when people crowd on to watercraft to watch the midnight fireworks display. The Festa della Salue, on 21 November, has a similarly festive atmosphere, with stalls selling candy floss and balloons at Longhena’s church in memory of the 1630–31 plague.
Remembering the Plague
7. Film Fest
Venice’s international film festival is one of the world’s most important celebrations of cinema, drawing an array of film stars and paparazzi to Venice’s Lido each summer.
8. Regattas
www.vogalonga.com • www.regatastoricavenezia.it
The word regatta originated in Venice, so what better place to enjoy these boat races. Take your pick from Vogalonga, a 32-km (20-mile) non-competitive route around the lagoon, or the Regata Storica, when ornate boats propelled by costumed oarsmen parade down the Grand Canal.
Colourful boats at Regata Storica
9. Christmas Season
Christmas is celebrated with gusto. Lights are illuminated, Campo San Polo becomes an ice rink, and squares and palazzos host Christmas markets. The highlight of the season is the Regata dei Babbi Natali, when rowers dressed as Santa Claus take part in a water parade.
10. Music Festivals
Home to Vivaldi and Nuno, Venice offers something for music lovers of all predilections. May’s Venezia Music Festival is all about classic music, while jazz fans should check out the Venezia Jazz Festival.
TOP 10 SPORTS IN VENICE
1. Rowing
Zattere, Dorsoduro
Immensely popular Venetian pastime practised standing up. Join the oldest club, Canottieri Bucintoro.
A women’s rowing team practising
2 Cycling
Gran Viale SM Elisabetta
Illegal in Venice itself, though you’ll see kids zooming around. It is allowed in Lido, where you can rent a bike from a cycle shop on the main street.
3 Sailing
Yachtsmen gather at the marina on San Giorgio Maggiore island.
4 Swimming
Head for the Lido, or the immensely popular indoor pools at Sacca Fisola and Sant’Alvise.
5 In-Line Skating
There is a small rink at Sant’Elena in Castello, otherwise stick to the Lido pavements.
6. Golf
Strada Vecchia, 1
The well-reputed 18-hole course at the Alberoni is on the south of the Lido.
7 Tennis
Lungomare G Marconi 41/D
The Lido has the only courts available to visitors.
8 Jogging
The city’s stone paving doesn’t do wonders for your knees, so try the city parks.
9 Gyms
Private gyms with state-of-the-art equipment, located in the city, can be found online.
10 Football
Stadio Pierluigi Penzo
The home team Venezia plays at Sant’Elena stadium on Sundays.
