Festa del Rendentore

A Night of Light and Prayer on Venice’s Shimmering Waters

2026/07/17 - 2026/07/18

Every July, the city of Venice is wrapped in the magic of the Festa del Redentore. The canals fill with beautifully decorated boats, the air is rich with the aroma of basil and grilled fish, and the night sky bursts into color as fireworks bloom over the lagoon. This is a weekend where faith and the joy of summer come together, offering a uniquely Venetian experience of beauty and excitement under the stars.

Held every third weekend of July, the festival is open to everyone—local families, friends, and travelers alike. It’s a night to celebrate gratitude for overcoming hardship, the bonds of community, and the beauty of life, all beneath the Venetian night sky.

Main Attractions

The Floating Bridge and Pilgrimage

The centerpiece of the festival is the temporary floating bridge built across the Giudecca Canal, connecting central Venice with the Church of the Redentore on Giudecca Island. Locals and pilgrims walk across the gently swaying bridge with candles in hand, offering prayers in the gleaming white church. The sensation of the bridge underfoot, the soft candlelight, and the sound of church bells create a serene and moving moment.

Boat Parties and Canal Banquets

As evening falls, hundreds of boats adorned with lanterns and ribbons gather in St. Mark’s Basin. Families and friends bring homemade dishes—marinated sardines, squid ink risotto, grilled fish—and toast with chilled prosecco. Laughter, the clinking of glasses, and the scents of seafood, basil, and citrus drift on the night breeze, while lanterns twinkle across the water’s surface.

Fireworks Spectacle

At midnight, one of Italy’s most famous fireworks displays lights up the lagoon. Colors and lights spread over the domes and bell towers, reflecting in the water below. The roar of fireworks, cheers from the crowd, and the scent of gunpowder and salty air ignite the senses, with many people singing and dancing until dawn.

Decorations and Attire

While not a masquerade carnival, boats are decorated with ribbons and flowers, tables are set with linen and Venetian glassware, and the dome of the Redentore church glows in the night. Children wear flower crowns, and adults dress in their best summer clothes, adding to the festive elegance. The cool feel of stone, soft linen, and the gentle breeze from the water are all part of the celebration.

Traditional Food & Drink

The Redentore Festival is also a feast for the palate. Classic Venetian dishes like sweet-and-sour sardines (sarde in saor), baccalà (creamed cod), polenta, and seafood are served, alongside prosecco and local wines. Bussolai (butter cookies) and frittelle (fried pastries) are popular desserts, and the scents of basil, lemon, and grilled fish fill the summer night air.

Cultural and Historical Background

The Festa del Redentore began in 1577 as an expression of gratitude after Venice was saved from a devastating plague. The Senate vowed to build the Church of the Redentore, and since then, the festival has been celebrated every year with faith and thankfulness. The church, designed by Andrea Palladio, stands as a symbol of hope and recovery, and the festival continues to embody Venetian pride and unity in the face of hardship.

Today, solemn pilgrimage and lively parties coexist, making this a special summer night that connects Venetians across generations.

Participant Voices

Walking the floating bridge at sunset, surrounded by candlelight and music, I felt connected to centuries of Venetian history. The fireworks blooming over the lagoon moved me to tears—it’s the most beautiful night of the year.

Fun Facts

The floating bridge is over 330 meters long, built only for the festival and dismantled immediately afterward.
Some people reserve their boat spots for the fireworks a year in advance.
The Redentore church was designed by the architect Andrea Palladio.
Eating bussolai (butter cookies) during the festival is said to bring good luck for the coming year.