CARNIVAL Twelve days leading up to shrove Tuesday
It is the Carnival that epitomises city, with its spirit of transgression, its sense of fun and endless partying. Masked revellers flock the streets, theatres arrange special programmes and masquerades are held in the squares. The authentic Venetian mask is a simple black cape that goes right down to your feet, the "Bauta", and also very famous is the - "Plague Doctor" - based on the medieval doctor's beaked face protector and black gown, worn as precaution against plague. Transgression means also giving ourselves the pleasures of the table: the "fritola" and the thin and golden "galano" are typical specialities, a must during Carnival.
FILM FESTIVAL From late August to early September
Venice International film festival is second only in importance to the Cannes festival. All movies are shown in the original language.
REDENTORE Between the Saturday and the third Sunday of July
The most well-known is the traditional night festival that takes place in the Giudecca Canal on the eve of the Festa del Redentore to commemorate the end of the plague of 1577. On this occasion a pontoon bridges unites the Giudecca island to the island in front across the great canal. All Venice comes out on holiday: boats of every kind covered with lanterns, on which merry parties pass the whole night consuming huge suppers, and those who cannot go out in a boat, crowd the Zattere overlooking it and watching the firework display with which this wonderful festival culminates.
On the Sunday a regatta is held in the Giudecca Canal.
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