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 there are concerts and other cultural events throughout the city, and costume balls are held in Venice's glorious palazzi. The prestigious Biennale is a century-old international contemporary art festival held from June through early November of odd-number years. It has spawned other festivals, including the Biennale Danza, Biennale Musica, and, most famously, Biennale Cinema, also known as the Venice Film Festival, held yearly at the end of August.

The Festa della Redentore (Feast of the Redeemer), on the third weekend in July, is the biggest celebration of the year among locals. It starts Saturday evening, when revelers eat dinner in lantern-bedecked boats in the Bacino San Marco, then watch the late-night fireworks display.

There are three main annual contests of Venetian rowing: the Regata delle Bafane, on January 6; Vogalonga (long row), on a Sunday in May, in which any boat can participate; and the splendidly costumed Regata Storica, on the first Sunday in September.