Events

Premio Venezia

The chiefdom of Teatro La Fenice on the scene of the performing arts in Venice is proven, amongst others, by the fact this theater is home to Premio Venezia, a national piano competition which welcomes the performances of the new emerging talents in Italy. The candidates are carefully selected in view of delighting the public with the best of virtuosi in the making at national scale.

The tourist opening of Premio Venezia is mirrored not only by the fact a large part of the attending public consists of international guests, but also by the fact one of the structures involved in the promotion of the festival is Hellovenezia. Premio Venezia is organized each year on various dates, roughly in November.

In order to learn more about the following edition of Premio Venezia, artists bound to perform, program and the like, use the indications below:

Name:: Premio Venezia
Address:: Teatro La Fenice, 1965, Campo San Fantin, 30124, Venice, Italy
Date:: early to mid November
Website:: www.teatrolafenice.it

Feast of Madonna della Salute

The Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute is not only one of the most splendid Baroque places of worship in Venice and, thus, an important tourist sight, but also a church which is actively involved in the life of the Venetians. Locals flock to the ever so magnetic Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute each November the 21st in order to pray to the Virgin for good health and to spare them from further ailments.

The feast is, in fact, a centuries-old Venetian tradition. Its origins are contemporary with the beginning of the construction works at the basilica (roughly speaking, the early 1630s), and it is motivated by a fact similar with the one which pushed the Venetians to erect this church from the first place: the protective and healing powers of the Virgin which, back then, delivered the city from the plague, as the locals would believe. Since then, the Marian cult observed by the Venetians has been enriched with this additional coordinate: the Virgin in the hypostasis of healer and protector of the city.

The Feast of Madonna della Salute is not an event of special tourist interest, yet it remains an important landmark of the yearly local calendar. By attending this pilgrimage, foreigners have the opportunity to experience a genuinely Venetian celebration which, by the very fact it is not a tourist-oriented event, speaks for how the locals conduct themselves when not absorbed, as it were, in preparing a tourist oriented event (such as the Carnival).

The tradition of Festa della Madonna della Salute also requires the consumption of the so-called castradina, a soup made of salted, smoked and aged mutton chops, eaten only on November the 21st. Campo della Salute (the place where the basilica is located) is fitted lined with stalls which sell all sorts of other gastronomic delights, but not exclusively.

Name:: Feast of Madonna della Salute (Festa della Madonna della Salute)
Address:: Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute, Campo della Salute, Dorsoduro, 30123, Venice, Italy
Date:: November the 21st
Website:: www.seminariovenezia.it

Glasstress

The Venetian Lagoon is a world replete with all sorts of traditions, the production of Murano glass being one of the most celebrated of all. If purchasing a Murano glass gift or souvenir is one of the top shopping ideas while in Venice, and visiting the Murano Glass Museum is a crucial part of the sightseeing tours in the lagoon, in order to make an idea about the living glass production tradition of Venice tourists are also advised to attend the so-called Glasstress.

This festival is held every two years, and while it is a newly emerging event, it does enjoy its fare share of popularity. It’s true Glasstress is not all about tradition, since it welcomes the works of international glass artists eager to have their newest productions exhibited in Venice, but what is worth noting is, on this occasion, Venice turns into a place where, indeed, the centuries-old Murano glass traditional production joins together with the international scene, a wonderful clash which always results in nothing but a spectacular array of exhibitions of whimsical decorations, sculptures and design objects which stimulate the flamboyant imagination of people who want to bring a touch of beauty to their daily lives.

In order to learn more about the previous editions of Glasstress, as well as about its next edition, artists bound to exhibit their works and exhibition spaces, follow the indications below:

Name:: Glasstress
Address:: Venice, Italy
Date:: early June to late November
Website:: www.glasstress.org

FeniceDay

FeniceDay is organized each year on November the 5th by Teatro La Fenice. While this is largely and artistic event, it remains a fund raising happening meant to support the theater foundation. A concert is performed by the theater’s orchestra in the sumptuous Teatro La Fenice. The artistic coordinate of the festival is complemented by a social-gastronomic one, since the concert proper is followed by a gala dinner.

Name:: FeniceDay
Address:: Teatro La Fenice, 1965, Campo San Fantin, 30124, Venice, Italy
Date:: November the 5th
Website:: www.teatrolafenice.it

Venice Biennale

The Venice Biennale is one of the largest art events, worldwide speaking. In fact, it is one of the oldest even. The tradition started in 1895, first taking hold of the national art scene, and then making its way through gradually at international scale. Held every two years, the Venice Biennale is the ideal opportunity for fine and applied art aficionados to sample the best of the artistic works generated on each of the worlds’ continents. Thus, from Scandinavia to Australia and from USA to Japan, the pavilions set up in Venice on the occasion of La Biennale di Venezia showcase the heights of what is best in each of these countries' culture.

The festival is held at sundry venues in Venice, literally taking hold of some of the most prestigious palaces and cultural institutions in the lagoon. Thus, every two years, Venice confirms again and again its surname of city of art reaffirming its centuries-old reputation of cultural hub of Europe. The Venice Film Festival and the Venice Biennale of Architecture (the latter does not coincide, in terms of the date it is held, with the general Venice Biennale, held in odd years, since it is held in even years) are also part of La Biennale di Venezia.

In order to learn more about the history of the Venice Biennale, as well as on its following edition, its sections, programs and venues hosting the exhibitions, use the indications below:

Name:: Venice Biennale (La Biennale di Venezia)
Address:: Venice, Italy
Date:: early June to late November
Website:: www.labiennale.org

Restaura

While Restaura is a major event held in Venice, it is not necessarily addressed to the large public. Restaura focuses on promoting the work of professionals who have actively and substantially contributed to the restoration and preservation of the cultural heritage. Indirectly speaking, however, it does appeal to the large public, in particular to people who know how to appreciate the architectural (and not only) heritage of the city.

Restaura, Salone del Restauro dei Beni Culturali, is held in early December at the Venice Passenger Terminal. The public benefits from free admission to the exhibitions occasioned by the event. In order to learn more about the previous and the next editions of Restauro, follow the indications below:

Name:: Restaura (Restaura – Salone del Restauro dei Beni Culturali)
Address:: Venezia Terminal Passegeri, 1, Marittima Fabbricato, 30135, Venice, Italy
Date:: December the 1st to December the 3rd
Website:: www.restauraexpo.it / www.bbccexpo.it

Viaggiandum Est

Culture and tourism have always been two of the main coordinates of Venice’s reputation worldwide. It’s true its centuries-old cultural reputation precedes its tourist prestige, but the bottom line is, at present at least, visitors can forget all about shopping, nightlife, nature beauties or even sports opportunities while in Venice. Venice will always have its culture, which is enough to render the lagoon a world of utmost tourist appeal. Viaggiandum Est brings together culture and tourism, but not only at local scale.

The tourist operators attending the event have also the opportunity to present sundry other Italian destinations while pointing out their cultural heights. This is an ideal opportunity for the public at large to realize that cultural tourism is a sustainable branch of tourism and that culture in general is of no little significance for the tourist standing of any destination.

The exhibitions, workshops and other events occasioned by Viaggiandum Est are hosted at the Venice Passenger Terminal, and they are held in early December. In order to learn more about the previous and the following editions of Viaggiandum Est, use the indications below:

Name:: Viaggiandum Est (Borsa del Turismo Culturale Viaggiandum Est)
Address:: Venezia Terminal Passegeri, 1, Marittima Fabbricato, 30135, Venice, Italy
Date:: December the 3rd
Website:: www.viaggiandumest.com

New Year’s Eve Concert

While there are plenty of things to do on New Year’s Eve in Venice, attending the concert held at Scuola Grande San Teodoro is one of the top choices, in particular for people who know how to taste the cultural flavor of their vacation in the lagoon.

The classical music concerts are performed by the so-called I Musici Veneziani, a worldwide prestigious orchestra. Everything is classical about this orchestra, beginning with the costumes and ending with the set, so the quality of the experience is guaranteed. The activity of I Musici Veneziani is worth following throughout the year, but the New Year’s Eve Concert counts as one of their most popular performances.

Name:: New Year’s Eve Concert
Address:: Scuola Grande San Teodoro, Campo San Salvador, 30141, Venice, Italy
Date:: December the 31st
Website:: www.scuolagrandesanteodoro.it / www.imusiciveneziani.com

New Year’s Eve in Venice

Spending the New Year’s Eve in Venice has its particular shine and effervescence and it often results into an unforgettable experience. Traditionally, locals (and tourists, for that matter) gather in Piazza San Marco and, while carried away by the general enthusiasm, they listen to the live music performances in the company of the dear ones, they admire the fireworks and the general spectacular outdoor scenography (a light show which creates the illusion of a rain of hearts over the public).

The theme, so to speak, of this huge event is love. Indeed, the slogan which draws tens of thousands of revelers to San Marco is “come and kiss in Venice”. People actually do that, willing to welcome the coming of the New Year with love in their hearts and kisses for the dear ones. A similar event is held in Mestre, in Piazza Ferretto.

The New Year’s Eve in Venice acquires a picturesque and, why, not, spectacular vibe for tourists who opt for Lido di Venezia. Here, bold swimmers plunge in the sea in view of a demonstrative race. Traditional dishes (sausages, lentils) and, of course, wine, are then served to the delight of all attending dainty feeders.

In order to learn all there is to know about the next edition of Capodanno a Venezia, full program and the like, use the information below:

Name:: New Year’s Eve in Venice (Capodanno a Venezia)
Address:: Piazza San Marco, Venice, Italy
Date:: December the 31st
Website:: www.capodannovenezia.it