Festivals to Build a Trip Around

Festivals to Build a Trip Around

Venice's most famous festival is Carnevale,drawing revelers from all over the world. For 10 days leading up to Ash Wednesday, it takes over the city—think Mardi Gras meets Casanova.

The prestigious Biennale is a century-old international art festival held in late summer and early fall of odd-number years. It's spawned several other festivals, including the Biennale Danza, Biennale Musica, and, most famously, Biennale Cinema, also known as the Venice Film Festival, held every year at the end of August.

The Festa Redentore (Feast of the Redeemer), on the third Sunday in July, is the biggest celebration of the year among locals, who float out in boats on Bacino San Marco and watch midnight fireworks displays.

There are three noteworthy annual contests of Venetian-style rowing: the Regata delle Bafane,on January 6; Vogalonga (long row), on a Sunday in May; and Regata Storica,on the first Sunday in September.