Must-see events in Venice in June 2024

A pleasant late spring-early summer climate; longer days with more time to visit the squares, monuments, or enjoy a romantic gondola ride; the possibility of dining outdoors at the numerous restaurants along the canals. June is an ideal month to travel to Venice and explore all the wonders of city unique in the world.

During this period, in addition to the most famous cultural attractions, the Serenissima also offers a truly special program of activities, including concerts and festivities to celebrate the arrival of the summer season. Let's discover together the must-see events in Venice for those planning to visit the city in June 2024.

Events in Venice abound throughout the year, as is typical of a vibrant city beloved worldwide. In particular, in June, we can enjoy the first tastes of summer and live splendid and full evenings, both culturally and in terms of entertainment.

The festivities begin with the Republic Day on Sunday, June 2, in a day filled with activities, including the captivating Regata di Sant'Erasmo. The following week, Venice is painted with the colors of the rainbow to host the Laguna Pride, a festival that highlights how the city, which makes its historical and artistic side its crowning jewel, is also attentive and sensitive to the most current themes of the LGBTQIA+ world.

From a cultural perspective, In June, the International Art Exhibition at the Biennale is in full swing, and it’s complemented by the International Theater Festival in the second half of the month. For music and art, on June 21st the inaugural concert of the Vivaldi Festival and the 105 Summer Festival will take place, while the following day the now classic Art Night will be held.

Finally, on June 29, the enchanting music of Ennio Morricone will resonate in St. Mark's Square as part of the celebrations for the 700th anniversary of Marco Polo's death.

In short, there’s something for everyone. A rich and diverse program to discover the city's locations through the events that recount its charm and traditions.

The Republic Day opens the program of events in Venice in the month of June. For this celebration, which is held every year on June 2nd and falls on a Sunday in 2024, the city will come alive like never before. Also, because it’s the first Sunday of the month, it’s possible to visit state museums for free, such as the Gallerie dell'Accademia or the National Archaeological Museum.

On June 2nd, the Venice Boat Show also comes to a close. It’s an international exhibition held in the enchanting spaces of the Arsenale, which is very interesting not only for industry professionals but also for enthusiasts of the sea and boating.

However, it’s primarily the Regata di Sant'Erasmo that signals the official arrival of summer. This event is one of the first races that sets the pace for the schedule of regattas in Venice, which take place between May and September (including the famous Regata Storica).

The Regata di Sant'Erasmo is a highly anticipated event for both Venetians and tourists, and as the name suggests, it takes place around the island of Sant'Erasmo, starting near the Torre Massimiliana and finishing in front of the picturesque Church of Sant'Erasmo.

After years of absence, 2023 saw the return to Venice of the Laguna Pride, a colorful and lively event aimed at affirming the principles of inclusivity, rights, and a positive and supportive vision of the future.

In 2024, Laguna Pride will return on Sunday, June 9th, to continue spreading a message of social commitment, while also offering a day of celebration open to everyone, in a parade filled with colors and music.

The exact route of this year’s event will be announced only a few days before the event.

In 2023, the parade traversed much of the city, starting from Santa Lucia Station and heading towards Campo Santa Margherita in the Dorsoduro district (where Ca’ Foscari University is also located), concluding at the Fondamenta delle Zattere, a historic and highly charming area, where carpenters once used rafts to bring logs into the lagoon.

The Vivaldi Festival is an event dedicated to celebrating the life and works of Antonio Vivaldi, the famous Venetian composer and violinist who lived between the 17th and 18th centuries. His compositions come to life every year through concerts and performances that highlight his extraordinary contribution to classical music.

The festival's performances always take place in historic and significant locations around the city. This year, the event opens on June 21st, during the Summer Solstice, with the inaugural concert at the Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute. This architectural and cultural icon of Venice is located in the Dorsoduro district, majestically overlooking the Grand Canal.

June 21st also coincides with the European Music Festival. For this reason, the event is free of charge, making it a special opportunity for both classical music enthusiasts and tourists eager to experience Vivaldi's works in such a picturesque and exciting setting.

The Venice Biennale is one of the most important and renowned cultural institutions not only in Italy but worldwide. It’s based at Ca’ Giustinian, a historic palace close to St. Mark’s Square, but it also has numerous exhibition spaces in the Biennale Gardens (among the most charming green spaces in Venice) and the Arsenale area, where it organizes events related to visual arts, theater, music, cinema, architecture and dance.

In June, besides the International Art Exhibition that runs from April to November, the Biennale hosts the International Theatre Festival (June 15-30), an event focused on promoting contemporary theater, as well as providing a platform for innovative, experimental and avant-garde exhibitions.

With a varied program that includes multidisciplinary performances, meetings and workshops, and with the presence of international theater companies and artists, the Festival is the ideal place to celebrate the diversity and vitality of contemporary theater, offering an important showcase for the creation of new artistic works and for keeping the city's theatrical tradition alive.

Friday, June 21, to celebrate the official start of summer in style, the San Giuliano Park will host the 105 Summer Festival, a free concert where we can listen to the most popular artists from the Italian music scene, with a DJ set opening and closing the event.

The San Giuliano Park, which overlooks the lagoon right in front of the eponymous island, is the ideal location for hosting the Festival: the reconstruction works carried out in recent years have made it perfectly equipped for large-scale events, and its stunning location, with the magical backdrop of Venice, will make the concert really unique.

The park's spacious areas, where locals stroll daily along the paths immersed in nature, will become the city's reference point for young people, music lovers, and anyone who wants to experience a vibrant and unforgettable first day of summer.

Art Night Venice is an important opportunity to discover (or rediscover) the city's artistic and cultural heritage in the festive and suggestive atmosphere of early summer. It’s a true white night dedicated to art and culture, and this year will take place on Saturday, June 22nd.

For this occasion, museums, galleries, foundations, and other cultural spaces will open their doors to the public for free until late night, offering a wide range of events including exhibitions, performances, concerts, screenings and educational activities for all ages.

This wonderful celebration, developed and promoted by Ca' Foscari University in collaboration with the Municipality, has now reached its thirteenth edition and has become one of the most appreciated events in Venice in June.

Art Night is attended by both residents and tourists and offers the opportunity to spend a truly special evening, because experiencing Venice at night, with its lively and illuminated calli and campi, is a magical, evocative experience absolutely not to be missed!

The last event on the calendar, but not in terms of importance and charm: on Saturday, June 29th, in San Mark’s Square, the live performance of Ennio Morricone's soundtrack for the TV series "Marco Polo" will take place, as part of the celebrations for the 700th anniversary of the death of the great Venetian explorer.

The Orchestra Regionale Filarmonia Veneta, accompanied by the Venetian Singers, will play Morricone's stirring melodies, while images from the 1982 Rai series will be projected.

All of this will unfold in the marvelous setting of an evening in San Mark’s Square, amidst a warm summer atmosphere, with lights illuminating the Basilica, the Campanile, and all the palaces, making them even more evocative and enchanting. 

This enveloping scene promises an extraordinary fusion of music, cinema and history, offering an experience that will be cherished for years to come.