GeoStats:

Alternate Name: Venezia

Passport/Visa Requirements: US citizens need passports, but not visas.

Population: 269,441

Languages: Italian

Predominant Religions: Christian (Roman Catholic, Protestant)

Time Zone: 1 hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (+1GMT). 6 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time (+6EST).

Voltage Requirements: 220 volts

Phone Codes: 39, country code: 041, city code

Destination:

Venice


Monthly Calendar

topJanuary 2013

1 January - New Year's Day

Public holiday

6 January-Epiphany

Public holiday

Throughout January — Opera

The Gran Teatro La Fenice opera company performs regularly at the PalaFenice on the island of Tronchetto; Teatro Malibran, near the Rialto Bridge on the Grand Canal; and at various other venues. For information and tickets, call 049-662-552 or 041-2424. Continues through mid June.

Throughout January-Soccer

Associazione Calcio Venezia plays home games every other Sunday at Pierluigi Penzo Stadium on the island of Sant'Elena. For information, call 041-238-0700. For tickets, call 899-909-090. Season continues through early June.

topFebruary 2013

Mid February — Carnevale

With a two-week series of processions, masquerades, traditional ceremonies, music and festivities among the canals, squares and palaces of this ancient city, Venice's Carnival is one of the most celebrated and fascinating events in Europe. The entire city is filled with musicians, acrobats, theatre troupes and revellers from all countries, and for those with a more aristocratic bent, there are dozens of masked balls, "carnival brunches" and gala dinners in period costume to attend. Held 2 weeks before Lent – concludes March 8. For information, call 041-2747-966.

Throughout February — Opera

The Gran Teatro La Fenice opera company performs regularly at the PalaFenice on the island of Tronchetto; Teatro Malibran, near the Rialto Bridge on the Grand Canal; and at various other venues. For information and tickets, call 049-662-552 or 041-2424. Continues through mid June.

Throughout February — Soccer

Associazione Calcio Venezia plays home games every other Sunday at Pierluigi Penzo Stadium on the island of Sant'Elena. For information, call 041-238-0700. For tickets, call 899-909-090. Season continues through early June.

topMarch 2013

29 Mar — Good Friday

Holiday

31 Mar — Easter Day

Holiday

Throughout March-Opera

The Gran Teatro La Fenice opera company performs regularly at the PalaFenice on the island of Tronchetto; Teatro Malibran, near the Rialto Bridge on the Grand Canal; and at various other venues. For information and tickets, call 049-662-552 or 041-2424. Continues through mid June.

Throughout March-Soccer

Associazione Calcio Venezia plays home games every other Sunday at Pierluigi Penzo Stadium on the island of Sant'Elena. For information, call 041-238-0700. For tickets, call 899-909-090. Season continues through early June.

topApril 2013

1 April - Easter Monday

Public holiday

25 April - St. Mark's Day

Public Holiday.  Feast day honoring the city's patron saint

25 April - Liberation Day

Public holiday

Throughout April - Opera

The Gran Teatro La Fenice opera company performs regularly at the PalaFenice on the island of Tronchetto; Teatro Malibran, near the Rialto Bridge on the Grand Canal; and at various other venues. For information and tickets, call 049-662-552 or 041-2424. Continues through mid June.

Throughout April - Soccer

Associazione Calcio Venezia plays home games every other Sunday at Pierluigi Penzo Stadium on the island of Sant'Elena. For information, call 041-238-0700. For tickets, call 899-909-090. Season continues through early June.

topMay 2013

1 May - Labor Day

Public holiday

19 May—Festa della Sensa

This Feast of the Ascension has been marked in Venice for more than 1,000 years by a symbolic wedding ceremony with the sea. Originally the doge would throw a gold ring into the water to celebrate the port city's relationship with the sea; now the mayor plays the part. Regattas follow. Phone 041-241-2988.

26 May—Vogalonga

Thousands of nonmotorized boats compete in this friendly race from the lagoon to Burano, and back down through the Grand Canal. For more information, phone 041-521-0544.

Throughout May - Opera

The Gran Teatro La Fenice opera company performs regularly at the PalaFenice on the island of Tronchetto; Teatro Malibran, near the Rialto Bridge on the Grand Canal; and at various other venues. For information and tickets, call 049-662-552 or 041-2424. Continues through mid June.

Throughout May - Soccer

Associazione Calcio Venezia plays home games every other Sunday at Pierluigi Penzo Stadium on the island of Sant'Elena. For information, call 041-238-0700. For tickets, call 899-909-090. Season continues through early June.

topJune 2013

2 June - Anniversary of the Republic

Public holiday

5 June - Festa della Sensa

The Feast of the Ascension has been marked in Venice for more than 1,000 years by a symbolic wedding ceremony with the sea. Originally the doge would throw a gold ring into the water to celebrate the port city's relationship with the sea; now the mayor plays casts a laurel crown and ring. Regattas follow. Tel: +39 041 2747739.

Early June - Venice Biennale - Dance

8th International Festival of Contemporary Dance. During Venice Biennale, various groups present a two-month-long international dance festival, Dance Zero. Various venues. For information, call 041-521-8898.

Late Jun— Arena di Verona

More than eight decades old, this annual opera festival features world-famous singers and directors at the ancient Roman Arena in Verona (65 mi/105 km from Venice). Past performers include Maria Callas and Beniamino Gigli. Continues through August. For more information, call 045-800-5151.

Early June - Soccer

Associazione Calcio Venezia finishes out its season early June with final game on Sunday at Pierluigi Penzo Stadium on the island of Sant'Elena. For information, call 041-238-0700. For tickets, call 899-909-090.

Early-Mid June - Opera

End of the opera season for The Gran Teatro La Fenice opera company. Performances are held at the PalaFenice on the island of Tronchetto; Teatro Malibran, near the Rialto Bridge on the Grand Canal; and at various other venues. For information and tickets, call 049-662-552 or 041-2424.

topJuly 2013

Mid Jul— Festa del Redentore

The Feast Day of the Redeemer is a religious festival celebrating the city's recovery from the plague of 1576. A bridge of boats crosses the Giudecca Canal to the church of the Redentore, and a huge fireworks display lights up the sky.

Throughout July - Arena di Verona

More than eight decades old, this annual opera festival features world-famous singers and directors at the ancient Roman Arena in Verona (65 mi/105 km from Venice). Past performers include Maria Callas and Beniamino Gigli. Continues through 31 Aug. For more information, call 045-800-5151.

Throughout July—Venice Biennale

This historic festival, held on odd-numbered and alternate years, showcases the best in visual arts, film, dance, music, theater and architecture. Various venues, though most events happen at the Giardini Biennale. For more information, call 041-521-8711. Continues through 27 Nov.

Throughout July—Art Exhibit

As part of Venice Biennale, the International Art Exhibition hosts two main sets of conferences and discussions on both a local and global scale. For information, call 041-526-4546. Continues through 27 Nov.

topAugust 2013

15 August-Assumption Day

Public holiday

Late Aug—Mostra Internazionale d'Arte Cinematografica

This international film festival, part of La Biennale di Venezia, screens nearly 150 narrative fiction films, documentaries and shorts. The prestigious Golden Lion is awarded for best film. The cinemas at Lido di Venezia. For information and tickets, call 041-272-6501. Continues through Sep.

August - La Biennale di Venezia - 12th International Architecture Exhibition

The 12th International Architecture Exhibition is directed by Kazuyo Sejima and titled People meet in Architecture. Concludes November 21st.

Throughout August - Arena di Verona

More than eight decades old, this annual opera festival features world-famous singers and directors at the ancient Roman Arena in Verona (65 mi/105 km from Venice). Past performers include Maria Callas and Beniamino Gigli. For more information, call 045-800-5151.

topSeptember 2013

1-2 Sep—Arena di Verona

More than eight decades old, this annual opera festival features world-famous singers and opera directors staging performances at the ancient Roman Arena. Past performers include Maria Callas and Beniamino Gigli. Verona (65 mi/105 km from Venice). For more information, call 045-800-5151. Concludes 3 Sep.

Early September - La Biennale di Venezia - 68th Venice International Film Festival

The Venice Film festival is by far the oldest film festival in existence today. Screenings take place all over Venice, but the center of the action is the Lido area of the city. The "Golden Lion" along with Cannes' "Palme d'Or" is one of the few trophies in the film world that can compare to the Oscar. For information and tickets, call 041-272-6501.

2 Sep—September - Regata Storica

This historical boatrace and festival features a procession of decorated historic boats along the Grand Canal course, with their crews decked out in period dress. This is followed by four actual races that test the strength and skill of the city's gondoliers and other expert rowers. Phone 041-274-7735.

Early-Late September - Opera

The Gran Teatro La Fenice opera company performs regularly at the PalaFenice on the island of Tronchetto; Teatro Malibran, near the Rialto Bridge on the Grand Canal; and at various other venues. Continues through mid June 2009. For information and tickets, call 049-662-552 or 041-2424.

Late September - Soccer

Associazione Calcio Venezia plays home games every other Sunday at Pierluigi Penzo Stadium on the island of Sant'Elena. For information, call 041-238-0700. For tickets, call 899-909-090. Season continues through early June 2009

Throughout September—Venice Biennale

This historic festival, held on odd-numbered and alternate years, showcases the best in visual arts, film, dance, music, theater and architecture. Various venues, though most events happen at the Giardini Biennale. For more information, call 041-521-8711. Continues through 27 Nov.

Throughout September—Art Exhibit

As part of Venice Biennale, the International Art Exhibition hosts two main sets of conferences and discussions on both a local and global scale. For information, call 041-526-4546. Continues through 27 Nov.

topOctober 2013

6-13 October – La Biennale di Venezia - International Festival of Contemporary Music

Part of La Biennale di Venezia, this event features electronic music and ensembles.  Various venues. For information and tickets, call +39 041-521-2424.

28 October - Venice Marathon

Starting in Piazza Marconi in Stra, a small town outside of Venice, 6,000 enthusiastic runners race through the narrow streets to finish on the Riva dei Sette Martiri near Piazza San Marco. The course takes the runners past some of Venice's most famous landmarks and across 15 bridges. Tel: +39 041-532-1871.

Throughout October—Venice Biennale

This historic festival, held on odd-numbered and alternate years, showcases the best in visual arts, film, dance, music, theater and architecture. Various venues, though most events happen at the Giardini Biennale. For more information, call 041-521-8711. Continues through 27 Nov.

Throughout October—Art Exhibit

As part of Venice Biennale, the International Art Exhibition hosts two main sets of conferences and discussions on both a local and global scale. For information, call 041-526-4546. Continues through 27 Nov.

Throughout October - Opera

The Gran Teatro La Fenice opera company performs regularly at the PalaFenice on the island of Tronchetto; Teatro Malibran, near the Rialto Bridge on the Grand Canal; and at various other venues. For information and tickets, call 049-662-552 or 041-2424. Continues through mid-June 2012.

Throughout October - Soccer

Associazione Calcio Venezia plays home games every other Sunday at Pierluigi Penzo Stadium on the island of Sant'Elena. For information, call 041-238-0700. For tickets, call 899-909-090. Season continues through early June 2012.

topNovember 2013

1 November—All Saints' Day

Public holiday

4 November - World War I Victory Anniversary Day

Public holiday. Celbrated in parts of Italy to mark the end of the country's participation on World War I.

21 November - Festa della Salute

The Basilica della Santa Maria della Salute was built as a tribute to the Madonna after the city's deliverance from the plague of 1630-31. Today, a procession across the Grand Canal ends at the church, where participants pray for their loved ones.

Throughout November - Opera

The Gran Teatro La Fenice opera company performs regularly at the PalaFenice on the island of Tronchetto; Teatro Malibran, near the Rialto Bridge on the Grand Canal; and at various other venues. For information and tickets, call 049-662-552 or 041-2424. Continues through mid June 2012.

Throughout November - Soccer

Associazione Calcio Venezia plays home games every other Sunday at Pierluigi Penzo Stadium on the island of Sant'Elena. For information, call 041-238-0700. For tickets, call 899-909-090. Season continues through early June 2012.

topDecember 2013

8 December - Feast of the Immaculate Conception

Public holiday

25 December—Christmas Day

Public holiday

26 December - St. Stephen's Day

Public holiday

Throughout December - Opera

The Gran Teatro La Fenice opera company performs regularly at the PalaFenice on the island of Tronchetto; Teatro Malibran, near the Rialto Bridge on the Grand Canal; and at various other venues. For information and tickets, call 049-662-552 or 041-2424. Continues through mid June 2012.

Throughout December - Soccer

Associazione Calcio Venezia plays home games every other Sunday at Pierluigi Penzo Stadium on the island of Sant'Elena. For information, call 041-238-0700. For tickets, call 899-909-090. Season continues through early June 2012.