Events in Venice

Venice Carnival - 13th to 24th February 2009
The Venice carnival is probably the most famous event held within the city, attracting visitors from around the world each year. It offers something for everyone, with a two week series of processions, music, masquerades, and events dotted around the city. The streets and squares come alive with a burst of colourful street performers, theatre, music, acrobatics and dance performances. The carnival has a tradition of mask wearing, and for those who wish to do it in style, there are numerous masked balls, brunches in period costume and gala dinners.

For 2009 the carnival theme is sensation, which is inspired by the senses and invites visitors to see, touch, feel, smell and taste the city.

View the complete program for the Venice Carnival »

Venice International Theatre Festival - 20th February to 8th March 2009
Venice's theatre festival is directed by Maurizio Scaparo, and is preceded by the International Theatre Laboratory. Both these events have a Mediterranean theme, and performances take place at the Piccolo Teatro Arsenale, as well as other venues. In the month of February the Piccolo Teatro Asenale will concentrate on shows, installations and live performances.

Get details of the full programme for the Venice International Theatre Festival »

Cavalchina Grand Dance - 21st February 2009 - Teatro La Fenice
The Cavalchina Grand Dance is held during the Venice Carnival, and is one of the most exclusive events. It is held at the Teatro la Fenice, and sees the theatre transformed into a ballroom for the night, following a nineteenth century theme, where you can dance in period costumes to both modern and traditional songs. Booking early is advised as there are only 600 tickets, which usually sell out rapidly.

Get more information on the Cavalchina Grand Dance »

The Barber of Seville - Various Dates - Musica a Palazzo
The Barber of Seville is a lyrical opera by Gioacchino Rossini with libretto by Sterbini, and is based on a comedy of the same name by Beaumarchais. The opera is set in the 17th century, and is complemented by the surroundings of the Musica a Palazzo, which has some magnificent baroque furnishings, and provides an ideal setting for the context of the opera.

With exciting direction, and performers of the highest vocal calibre, the barber of Seville is sure to provide an evening of enchanting entertainment.

For more information and performance times, visit the Musica a Palazzo website  »

Depero - to 1st March 09 - Museo Correr
To celebrate 100 years of the Venice futurism movement, the Musei Civici Veneziani is organising a series of exhibitions lasting from Nov 2008 until June 2009. Making up the Depero will be 80 pieces from the Fedrizzi collection, including oil paintings on canvas, drawings, prints and collages. Masterpieces such as Libro Imbullonato (1972) and Nitrito in Velocità (1922) will be on display also.

This is the first in what is planned to be a series of exhibitions by the Musei Civici Veneziani, and further events are to be announced in the near future.

Find out more about the Depero at the Museo Correr  »

Habitat - 31 January to 1 February & 7 to 8 February - Venice Terminal Passeggeri
This captivating exhibition of the most recent developments in interior design is an absolute must for anyone wanting to impress with their stylishly modern home. Divided into five sections, it covers the latest in lighting, soft furnishings, furniture and building techniques and materials. The perfect home also requires the perfect garden, demonstrated in the area exhibiting the latest in outdoor entertainment, irrigation, gazebos and barbeques. Energy saving and ecological living has its own section as do the professionals on hand to give advice.

Venice International Boat Show - 14 to 22 March 09 - Maritime Station
Where better for a boat show than the beautiful Venetian Lagoon, with a 120,000 square meter dock.  This year’s exhibition, organised by Expo Venice Spa, promises to be a high quality event that will please even the most demanding nautical consumers and exhibitors. Customers looking to buy may have the opportunity of trying the boat on the water, and those who wish to negotiate in private can take advantage of the offices on the floating piers. There will be an area devoted entirely to interiors and furnishing, among the many other displays in the 16,000 square meters of pavilions.

Visit the official website »