Venice has always been a meeting point of cultures and traditions and hosts important events every year, from interesting art exhibitions to world-famous annual appointments such as the Venice International Film Festival, and also for this 2023 there are numerous appointments on the agenda!

The year opens punctually on the first of January with the New Year's Concert at the Gran Teatro La Fenice to then make way, between February and March, for one of the most famous, visited and appreciated events in the world: the Venice Carnival. Moreover, during the year there are several traditional Venetian festivities that still have great importance for the citizens of La Serenissima, such as the Redentore Feast and La Festa della Madonna della Salute. 

Let's find out together what are the must-see events of this 2023 so you can include them in your travels! 

Music festival JAZZ& 22 January-30 April 2023

The fifth edition of Jazz&, by Veneto Jazz, the contemporary jazz music festival, will be held at the Sale Apollinee of the Teatro La Fenice from 22 January. One of the most sought-after events on the Italian scene returns to Venice, with all the refinement of music with Brazilian, Israeli, Indian and Northern European influences. 

The Jazz& review is organised by Veneto Jazz in collaboration with Fondazione Teatro La Fenice, the Ministry of Culture, the Veneto Region and with the patronage of the City of Venice and will consist of six events, from 22 January to 30 April. The artistic direction is by Giuseppe Mormile.

Exhibition “Canova and Venice, 1822-2022” until 5 February 2023

The exhibition inaugurated last 29 October at the Museo Correr: 'Canova and Venice, 1822-2022' continues until 5 February 2023. The photographic exhibition was created to mark the bicentenary of the death of the great neoclassical sculptor Antonio Canova.

The exhibition of photographs by Fabio Zonta is curated by Andrea Bellieni and Camilla Grimaldi and realised by the Fondazione Musei Civici di Venezia with the support of the Venice International Foundation. Through the use of light and perspective, the Bassano photographer succeeds in creating images that present Canova's sculptures with purity. To find out more visit the exhibition's official website.

Venice Carnival 2023 4-21 February 2023

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The great Venice Carnival this year will take place from Saturday 4 February to Tuesday 21 February under the Artistic Direction of Massimo Checchetto, set designer of the La Fenice Theatre. The Venice Carnival returns, spread across the city's campi, squares, calli and streets, with the Arsenale still the protagonist of a grandiose water spectacle and the return of the parades of masked floats on the mainland and islands.

The theme of this 2023 edition is inspired by the signs of the constellations and the zodiac with the title 'Take your Time for the Original Signs'. On Saturday 4 February, the festivities will begin with the Opening Parade, which will stage all the symbols of the carnival tradition, thanks to artists, colours, light effects and music brought together in a great floating performance that will parade along the Grand Canal.

Exhibition "CHRONORAMA. Photographic Treasures of the 20th Century" 12 March 2023-7 January 2024

2023 at Palazzo Grassi will be marked by an extraordinary exhibition of photographs and illustrations published in the 20th century by Vogue, Vanity Fair, House & Garden, Glamour and other Condé Nast magazines. The exhibition will open on 12 March and will be open until 7 January 2024.

The exhibition, 'CHRONORAMA. Photographic Treasures of the 20th Century', is curated by Matthieu Humery and is the first world exhibition dedicated to masterpieces from the Condé Nast archives, some of which were recently acquired by the Pinault Collection. The exhibition brings together more than four hundred works that bring the 20th century to life through the events, social phenomena and illustrious personalities that marked it.

Exhibition "Edmondo Bacci: Energy and Light" 1 April-18 September 2023

From 1 April to 18 September 2023 the Peggy Guggenheim Collection presents 'Edmondo Bacci. The Energy and Light', an exhibition curated by Chiara Bertola. The art exhibition, dedicated to the Venetian artist of the 1950s, will display around eighty works, including paintings and drawings never previously exhibited, from national and international museums and private collections.

Exhibition “Icônes” 2 April 2023-26 November 2023

In 2023 Palazzo Grassi will also host another exhibition at the Punta della Dogana: 'Icônes' (an exhibition of works from the Pinault Collection). The exhibition, which will open on 2 April and remain open until 26 November 2023, will be curated by Emma Lavigne, General Director of the Pinault Collection, and Bruno Racine, Director and Managing Director of Palazzo Grassi - Punta della Dogana.

'Icônes' is a thematic exhibition that brings together works from the Pinault Collection invoking all facets of the image in the context of art, painting, video, sound, installation and performance.

St Mark's Day Celebration 25 April 2023

Every 25 April, coinciding with Liberation Day, Venice celebrates the city's patron saint, St Mark the Evangelist, a symbol of strength and pride and a reminder of a glorious and serene past. St Mark's Day in Venice is also the time for the tradition of the bócolo (bud), which consists of giving your loved one a red rose bud. To find out more about this centuries-old tradition, you can read this detailed article. 

La Biennale di Venezia 18th International Architecture Exhibition 20 May-26 November 2023

The Architecture Biennale will run from Saturday 20 May to Sunday 26 November 2023, curated by architect, architecture lecturer and writer Lesley Lokko. The title of the 18th. International Architecture Exhibition is 'The Laboratory of the Future'. Updates coming soon.

Celebrations for the traditional Sensa Festival 20 and 21 May 2023

Every year Venice attracts millions of visitors attracted by events of worldwide resonance. These include the Festa della Sensa, which brings to life the thousand-year history of La Serenissima, its intimate relationship with the sea and the practice of Voga alla Veneta. The Festa della Sensa (Feast of the Ascension) was a festivity of the Venetian Republic on the occasion of Christ's Ascension Day.

Since 1965 Venice has returned to celebrate the event, with a water parade from St Mark's to the Lido of traditional rowing boats. The programme is completed with Venetian rowing competitions and numerous other events.

Feast of the Redeemer 14-16 July 2023

The Feast of the Redeemer is one of the most popular festivities among Venetians, where the religious and spectacular aspects coexist, thanks to the fireworks that attract thousands of visitors on Saturday night.

This festival is celebrated on the third Sunday of July every year to commemorate the end of the plague epidemic of 1575-1577, and this year it will be celebrated between 14 and 16 July. The festival begins with the opening of the votive bridge connecting the Zattere with the Church of the Redeemer on the island of Giudecca and ends with the three regattas on Sunday.

Venice Lido: 80th Venice International Film Festival 30 August-9 September 2023

The 80th Venice International Film Festival is organised by La Biennale di Venezia and directed by Alberto Barbera; it will be held on the Venice Lido from 30 August to 9 September 2023. Updates coming soon.

Venice Historical Regatta 3 September 2023

The Historical Regatta takes place every year on the first Sunday in September, and this year it will be held on 3 September. It is one of the most spectacular, picturesque and enthralling moments of city life, followed in particular by the Venetians who gather along the banks of the Grand Canal.

The historical procession re-enacts the welcome given in 1489 to Caterina Cornaro, the bride of the King of Cyprus, who renounced her throne in favour of Venice.

Celebrations for the Feast of Our Lady of Health 21 November 2023

Another feast much loved by Venetians is the Festa della Madonna della Salute, which every 21 November sees thousands of citizens parading in front of the high altar of the imposing Salute Church, in commemoration of the grace granted by the Blessed Virgin Mary back in 1631, thanks to which the great plague epidemic was brought to an end.

The Festa della Salute is certainly the one with the least 'tourist' impact, evoking a sincere popular religious sentiment, an excellent opportunity to experience a local tradition.

Events constantly updated!