Autumn 2026 promises to be a particularly interesting season to visit Venice, with a calendar full of events bringing together art, culture, craftsmanship, design, fashion and sport. The city will offer excellent reasons to plan a stay during a period that is quieter than the peak season, while still featuring a rich programme of internationally relevant appointments.

Biennale Arte 2026

The 2026 Venice Art Biennale stands out as one of the key highlights of the Venetian autumn. Running until 22 November, the exhibition unfolds across iconic venues such as the Giardini and the Arsenale, reaffirming Venice’s central role in the contemporary art scene. It offers an unmissable opportunity to explore exhibitions, installations, and projects that draw an international audience and showcase the city’s deep connection to artistic innovation. For further details, please refer to our dedicated article on the current edition.

Homo Faber

Among the September events, Homo Faber stands out as a particularly exciting occasion for those interested in the dialogue between creativity and craftsmanship. Held from 1 to 30 September 2026 on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore, Homo Faber is an international exhibition and cultural festival that celebrates artisanal excellence, offering a curated journey that presents the quality of manual work in a contemporary light. Venice, with its long-standing tradition in the applied arts, provides an especially fitting and coherent setting for this showcase.

Salone dell’Alto Artigianato Italiano

From 1 to 4 October, the Salone dell’Alto Artigianato Italiano brings a selection of outstanding examples of Italian craftsmanship to Venice, offering an in-depth look at product quality and the value of manufacturing. Taking place in the historic setting of the Arsenale, the event fits seamlessly into the Venetian context, where the relationship between craftsmanship and beauty is an integral part of the city’s identity. In addition to an exhibition area, the programme includes workshops, conferences, and meetings dedicated to artistic craftsmanship, making it an ideal event for anyone who appreciates Italian “Made in Italy” excellence and high‑quality artisanal work.

Venice Design Week

Taking place from 9 to 18 October, Venice Design Week brings to the city a programme dedicated to creative projects, innovation and design culture. Exhibitions, guided tours, talks, and networking events will bring together professionals, enthusiasts, and visitors interested in contemporary trends. Combining reflection with experimentation, the event helps make Venice a vibrant destination also for those who experience design as a cultural dimension.

International Festival of Contemporary Music

From 10 to 24 October, the International Festival of Contemporary Music takes place. It is one of the season’s most anticipated appointments for those who are into the avant-garde music scene. The programme features concerts and projects that bring diverse musical languages into dialogue, offering an intense and high-level experience. In this context, Venice once again demonstrates its ability to host research-driven and culturally significant events.

Venice Fashion Week

From 19 to 24 October, Venice Fashion Week adds to the autumn calendar a focus on sustainable fashion, craftsmanship and creativity. With fashion shows, exhibitions, conferences, and guided tours through the historic ateliers of the Venetian fashion scene, the event showcases designers and brands that interpret fashion in a contemporary way, with particular attention to quality and responsibility throughout the production process.

Venice Cocktail Week

From 21 to 25 October, Venice Cocktail Week offers a curated journey into cocktail culture and quality hospitality, featuring aperitifs, tastings, masterclasses, and meetings with internationally renowned guests at selected hotel bars and cocktail bars. The event brings together exclusive locations and the world of mixologists, creating another opportunity to experience Venice in a refined way. The Savor Bar of Hotel Indigo Venice – Sant’Elena participates every year, offering its guests the best of Venetian mixology. Within an autumn itinerary, it can be a pleasant complement to cultural visits and moments of relaxation.

Venice Hospitality Challenge

On 17 October, the Venice Hospitality Challenge brings to the lagoon an event that combines sport, luxury, competition and the celebration of the local territory. Dedicated to the world of sailing, the Venice Hospitality Challenge is an invitation-only competition reserved exclusively for maxi yachts. Each yacht is paired with a prestigious hotel from Venice’s luxury hospitality sector and is helmed by an internationally renowned skipper. The event takes place entirely in the inland waters of the historic center and represents a vivid expression of Venice’s identity, thanks to its deep connection with water and its maritime heritage. For those staying in the city, it’s an event that adds a dynamic element to the seasonal calendar.

Veleziana

On 18 October, the Veleziana takes place: a popular regatta that closes the Venetian sailing season, attracting both sailing enthusiasts and curious visitors. Open to all sailing boats, the event highlights Venice’s special relationship with navigation, offering a scenic experience that perfectly matches the lagoon landscape. The route, starting in front of the Lido and finishing in the Saint Mark basin, offers one of the finest occasions to observe the city from a different perspective, closely connected to its natural environment and nautical tradition.

Venice Marathon

On 25 October, the Venice Marathon brings one of the most renowned and popular sporting events of the autumn season to the city. The race winds through significant locations across the Venetian area and serves as a major attraction for both athletes and those who enjoy attending dynamic, well-organised events.

Festa della Salute

On 21 November, Venice celebrates the Festa della Salute, a deeply cherished tradition rooted in the city’s history. The event draws thousands of people to the Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute, creating an atmosphere of quiet, authentic participation that blends devotion, memory and tradition. For those in the city at the end of autumn, it represents a meaningful and memorable occasion.