Traditions of Venice
A lagoon city of canals, masks and gondolas, with a Carnival, a regatta and the doge's wedding to the sea.
Venice is a city built on more than a hundred islands, and its customs are tied to water. The Carnival has brought masks and costumes to its streets since the thirteenth century. The Historical Regatta in September sees gondoliers racing in costume, and Venetians keep the ceremonies of the Sensa and the Redentore.
Carnival and the festivals of water
During Carnival, in February, people wear elaborate masks, such as the white bauta and the long-beaked doctor, and attend balls. On the Festa del Redentore in July, a bridge of boats is built across the canal and fireworks are watched from boats. On Ascension Day, a mayor throws a ring into the sea to renew the city's marriage to it.
At the table
Cicchetti, small snacks with wine, are eaten standing at bars. Sarde in saor, sweet and sour sardines, risi e bisi, rice and peas, baccalà mantecato and fritole, carnival fritters, are Venetian. The spritz, an aperitif, was born in the Veneto. Fish is bought at the Rialto market.
Signature traditions of Venice
Also part of it, and being written: Gondola (The boat.).
A trail idea for Venice
- Rialto Market Visit before 10.
- Cannaregio Eat cicchetti.
- Burano See lace and coloured houses.
Written by the EveryParampara desk with AI assistance. Opening hours, markets and festival dates change; check locally before travelling. Customs differ from place to place and family to family. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.
Photo credits on this page
The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.
- Palio: faberh, Public domain, source
- Cicchetti: Benreis, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Carnival of Venice: Roberto Vicario, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Festa del Redentore: Photographer: Riccardo Speziari, CC BY-SA 3.0, source