In 2025, Venice offers an extraordinary lineup of amazing events, centuries-old traditions, and cutting-edge exhibitions that seamlessly blend history with modernity. There are traditional events, such as Carnevale or the Festa del Redentore, contemporary annual initiatives, such as Venice Design Week and The Venice Glass Week, the 19th edition of the Architecture Biennale, as well as many temporary exhibitions. There are too many to list them all, so I made a selection of those that appeal most to myself and which I look forward to discover.
The activities are well-spread across the entire year, so whenever you plan to visit Venice, you will have many options to choose from. On top of that, most events last a couple of weeks or months, so you can easily combine a few on your trip to Venice. So, here are 17 reasons why Venice should be on your travel list in 2025.
1. Venice’s timeless beauty: a must-see city
When: All year round
Venice itself is the ultimate reason to visit. The beauty of its canals, cobblestone streets, and ornate palazzos never fails to amaze. The quiet charm during early morning walks, the artistry of local craftspeople, and the welcoming spirit of Venetians make every visit unique. Even if you’ve been here before, there’s always something new to explore: an undiscovered palazzo, a hidden courtyard, or a cozy restaurant.
Insider tip: Want to escape the crowds? Check out my post ‘9 insider tips to escape the crowds in Venice’.
2. A Cabinet of Wonders. A Celebration of Art in Nature
When: December 15, 2024 – May 11, 2025
Where: Palazzo Grimani
I have always been intrigued by wunderkammers, so this homage to collecting is very high on my list. The first section of the exhibition is designed specifically for the mythological small rooms of Palazzo Grimani. It will evoke a 16th-17th century wunderkammer with a variety of exceptional artworks. The second section shows a unique selection of pieces from the collection of George Loudon, connoisseur and collector of 19th century life science objects, which are exhibited for the first time as an art installation.
Why visit: Experience a blend of historical intrigue and art collecting.
Insider tip: Prepare for your visit with my post: ‘Palazzo Grimani, an extraordinary Roman palazzo hidden in Venice‘.
3. Carnevale
When: February 14 – March 4
Carnival is without any doubt the most famous event in Venice. It was first celebrated at the end of the 12th century. Over time, it evolved into a combination of historical re-enactments, such as the Festa delle Marie, and a variety of festive events, such as the Festa Veneziana or the Arsenale Water Show. The artistic director Massimo Checchetto has chosen ‘Il Tempo di Casanova’ as the theme of this year’s event to celebrate the 300th anniversary of Giacomo Casanova.
Why visit: Immerse yourself in centuries-old traditions and extravagant costumes.
Insider tip: Book your accommodation early.
4. Tatiana Trouvé
When: April 6 – January 4, 2026
Where: Palazzo Grassi
This solo exhibition of the French-Italian artist Tatiana Trouvé will be her largest exhibition to date and her first major exhibition in Italy. The spaces at Palazzo Grassi were the starting point for the creation of new sculptures, large-scale drawings, and site-specific installations that are presented in dialogue with works from the past decade. The works span the three floors of Palazzo Grassi, offering a journey between dreams, memories, and visions.
Why visit: A rare opportunity to experience the artist’s visionary universe in Venice.
5. Maria Helena Vieira da Silva: Anatomy of Space
When: April 12 – September 15
Where: Peggy Guggenheim Collection
Explore the evolution of the visual language of Portuguese-born French artist Maria Helena Vieira da Silva (1908–1992), through a selection of about seventy works that highlight her ability to transform pictorial space into abstract environments and optical illusions. With references to Portugal’s decorative tradition, as well as to Cubism and Futurism, the exhibition explores the connection between abstraction and figuration in real and imaginary spaces.
Why visit: Discover one of the 20th century’s most innovative artists in a stunning venue.
Insider tip: Don’t miss the museum’s permanent collection and sculpture garden.
6. Architecture Biennale
When: May 10 – November 23
Where: Giardini, Arsenale, and various palazzos across Venice
Even though the Architecture Biennale attracts less visitors than the Art Biennale, I find it personally as interesting to visit. The theme of the next edition is ‘Intelligens. Natural. Artificial. Collective.’ and is curated by Carlo Ratti. He encourages the participating countries ”to address the common prompt of ‘One place, one solution’, showcasing how local ingenuity can address our time’s existential challenge that can only be tackled in a cooperative manner, reflecting a multiplicity of approaches”. The first previews of the pavilions certainly look very interesting, so I look forward to attend it.
Why visit: A thought-provoking event for architecture enthusiasts.
Insider tip: Stay tuned for my upcoming post: ‘How to prepare your visit to the Architecture Biennale’.
7. Jean Nouvel
When: May 10 – September 15
Where: Fondazione Cini
In partnership with the Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain, the major Jean Nouvel exhibition will be inspired by Nouvel’s critical text, written in 1980 ‘The Future of Architecture Is No Longer Architectural’. The exhibition revisits this statement and repurposes the renowned French architect’s contextual approach to creating spaces that are not simply buildings but cultural and intellectual environments – an architecture that transcends boundaries.
Why visit: Discover groundbreaking concepts from one of architecture’s most visionary figures.
8. Time Space Existence
When: May 10 – November 23
Where: Palazzo Bembo, Palazzo Mora, Marinaressa Gardens
For the seventh time, the European Cultural Centre organizes this large-scale exhibition. An international and eclectic group of architects, urban planners, designers, academic institutions, and multidisciplinary creatives will investigate the urgency to Repair, Regenerate, and Reuse. The installation which I’m most looking forward to is the one of Alejandro Aravena, Pritzker Prize-winner and curator of the 2016 Architecture Biennale, and his Chile-based architectural practice, Elemental. They will launch a resilient housing project with a carbon-neutral footprint, built with Holcim’s advanced sustainable concrete solutions.
Why visit: Engage with cutting-edge ideas in sustainable architecture.
9. Festa della Sensa
When: June 1
The Festa della Sensa is an ancient celebration of the relationship between Venice and the sea. The large procession at sea consists of the ceremonial Serenissima boat and hundreds of boats from the rowing associations of Venice. The parade starts in front of San Marco, from where it sails towards Lido. You can easily watch it from the Riva degli Schiavoni between San Marco and Arsenale. Finally, the symbolic wedding ceremony, in which a ring is thrown into the sea, is held in front of San Nicolò.
Insider tip: Prepare your visit by reading my post ‘The Festa della Sensa is the wedding of the year in Venice’.
10. Vogalonga
When: June 8
The Vogalonga is a non-competitive race where rowers from all over the world take over the lagoon and canals in Venice in a wide variety of colorful boats, from canoes to dragon boats. The event started in 1975 as a protest against the growing use of powerboats in Venice and the damage they do to the historic city. The 30 km course starts in the Bacino di San Marco and extends over the northern lagoon, past the islands of Sant’Erasmo, Burano and Mazzorbo and through the centre of Murano before returning to the finish in Venice.
Why visit: Witness a colorful spectacle of boats from around the world.
11. Art Night
When: June
Art Night is an annual event organized by the Ca’Foscari university. It consists of a series of cultural events, in the broad sense of the word, all over Venice. The 2025 date and program aren’t available yet, but you can expect visits to palazzos and other historical buildings which open exceptionally, meetings with authors in bookstores, guided tours, concerts, light shows, activities for children, and so on. The entrance is usually free, but reservations might be required depending on the location.
Insider tip: Arrive early and prioritize events, as they only last one evening.
12. Festa del Redentore
When: July 19-20
The Festa del Redentore is a traditional event to remember the plague of 1576. It is one of my favourite events in Venice. During this weekend, a pontoon bridge connects Giudecca and Zattere, so you can cross the Giudecca canal by foot. On Saturday evening, the fireworks above the San Marco Bacino are very impressive. On Sunday, you can watch the procession, attend the mass or enjoy the regatas in the afternoon.
Insider tip: Find the best places to watch the fireworks in my post ‘Enjoy the Festa del Redentore with these insider tips’.
13. Regata storica
When: September 7
The regata storica is a combination of a historical parade and several rowing races. The historical procession commemorates the welcome given in 1489 to Caterina Cornaro, the wife of the King of Cyprus, who renounced her throne in favour of Venice. The brightly colored parade with ornate boats and rowers in 16th century costumes sails along Canal Grande. It is followed by four competitive regatas: the champions’ regata in gondolini, the regata in caorline, the women’s regata in mascarete and the young rowers’ regata in pupparini.
Insider tip: More information on the different events can be found in my post ‘Experience the thrill of the Regata Storica in Venice’.
14. The Venice Glass Week
When: September 13-21
The 2025 edition of The Venice Glass Week is the ninth international festival dedicated to celebrating, supporting and promoting the art of glassmaking in Venice. The program hasn’t been revealed yet, but the activities should be similar to those in previous years such as exhibitions and installations, guided tours, workshops and demonstrations, special openings, conferences and talks, recreational activities, performances and film screenings. The entrance is usually free, but reservations might be required depending on the location.
Why visit: Witness Venice’s rich glassmaking heritage up close.
15. Venice Design Week
When: October 11-19
Venice Design Week has been around since 2010 and combines exhibitions, conferences, competitions, workshops and guided tours focused on interior design, outdoor design, product design, jewelry design, and smart textile. The theme of the 2025 edition is ‘Tempora’, which can be interpreted as a vision that unites past and future in an uninterrupted, fluid and cohesive line. Design is not just an individual creative act, but part of a continuous story, a shared process in constant dialogue with the environment, technologies and people.
Why visit: A must-see for design enthusiasts and creatives.
16. Casanova
When: October 2025 – February 2026
Where: Palazzo Cini Gallery
Fondazione Cini will organize a series of events related to Giacomo Casanova in honour of his 300th anniversary. The goal will be to re-exame the figure of Casanova in the socio-historical context of his life in the 18th century, and to reflect on the similarities that our time may share with the crisis and fall of the Serenissima. The exhibition will pay homage to a key witness of the era and at the same time, a great intellectual, memoirist and scholar.
Why visit: Gain new insights into the city’s most iconic figure.
17. Festa della Salute
When: November 21
The Festa della Salute is another traditional Venetian event to remember the end of a plague. The plague of 1630 killed tens of thousands of Venetians or almost 30% of its citizens. This event is very popular amongst Venetians. They cross Canal Grande via the votive bridge connecting the sestiere of San Marco with Dorsoduro to attend one of the masses held in the Salute basilica from 6am to 8pm. Candles are lit in memory of those that died in the plague, and of loved ones who might be ill. The area around the basilica is filled with street food stalls which creates a warm and busy atmosphere.
Insider tip: Light a candle inside the basilica.
Now that you know what’s happening, it’s time to start planning your 2025 trip to Venice. Which event are you most excited about? Let me know in the comments! And don’t forget to subscribe for updates and detailed posts on these incredible experiences.
Have fun!