Venice and its Top Events 2026: installations, shows, and cultural weekends not to miss

2026 promises to be a year full of cultural events, festivals, and niche appointments in Venice, with a calendar spanning contemporary art, craftsmanship, performances, and historical celebrations. Here is a selection of the most notable events scheduled, with dates and key features.

Biennale Arte 2026 – In Minor Keys
The 61st International Art Exhibition of the Venice Biennale, titled In Minor Keys, will take place from May 9 to November 22, 2026, in the Giardini and Arsenale pavilions as well as various city venues. This international event is the year’s benchmark for contemporary art, featuring national participations, collateral exhibitions, and installations exploring new artistic and curatorial perspectives.

Homo Faber 2026 — An Island of Light
From September 1 to 30, 2026, Homo Faber celebrates world-class craftsmanship with exhibitions, workshops, and installations on San Giorgio Island. The event highlights artisanal mastery through works combining technique, design, and contemporary experimentation.

The Venice Glass Week (September 12–20, 2026)
The tenth edition of The Venice Glass Week will take place across Venice and Murano, featuring installations, performances, open furnace demonstrations, exhibitions, and workshops dedicated to the art of glass. It is an opportunity to witness historical techniques and contemporary projects that showcase Venetian and international glass.

Festa del Redentore (July 18–19, 2026)
Held on the third weekend of July, the Festa del Redentore features religious ceremonies, fireworks on the San Marco Basin, and regattas along the Giudecca Canal. The event combines tradition, celebration, and spectacle, attracting both residents and visitors.

Regata Storica (September 6, 2026)
The Regata Storica celebrates Venice’s rowing tradition with historical parades, costumed boats, and competitions along the Grand Canal. The event blends pageantry and sport, becoming one of the city’s most followed appointments.

Fiera dell’Alto Artigianato Italiano (October 1–4, 2026)
Set in the evocative Tese of the Arsenale, this fair promotes high-quality Italian craftsmanship, with exhibitors showcasing jewelry, textiles, ceramics, and artisanal design objects, highlighting the balance between tradition and innovation.

Venice Noir (November 21, 2026)
An event dedicated to noir literature, featuring readings, meetings, and themed walks that illuminate Venice with stories of mystery and suspense.

Other 2026 Appointments
In addition to cultural and artistic events, the calendar includes Carnival (January 31–February 17), the Festa della Madonna della Salute (November 21), and the 83rd Venice International Film Festival on the Lido (September).

The 2026 calendar offers a diverse range of events, allowing visitors to discover the city in all its facets, always within the historic and creative context that makes Venice unique in the world.