Festa del Redentore 2025

Festa del Redentore 2025, one of the most important events in the Venetian calendar, will take place on Saturday, July 19, and Sunday, July 20, 2025, in Venice.

The Feast of the Redeemer is one of the most cherished and visually stunning festivals in Venice. The event is also known as the Most Famous Feast (Festa Famosissima).

This centuries-old celebration is a poignant blend of religious devotion, historic remembrance, and vibrant festivity, encapsulating the spirit of the Venetians.

WHAT ARE THE DATES FOR FESTA DEL REDENTORE 2025?

Since 1577, when the city of Venice was liberated from a terrible plague, the Feast of the Redeemer is celebrated every year in the third weekend of July.

Festa del Redentore 2025 will be celebrated in the weekend of 19 and 20 July.

WHAT IS THE LOCATION FOR THE FEAST OF THE REDEEMER 2025?

For the Feast of the Redemeer, a votive bridge will be built between Fondamenta delle Zattere, in front of the Church of Spirito Santo, and the Giudecca island, in front of the Church of the Redeemer.

During the event, thousands of people will cross the bridge on pilgrimage to the beautiful church of Andrea Palladio.

SHORT HISTORY OF FESTA DEL REDENTORE

Festa del Redentore 2025 – The Votive Bridge

Between 1575 and 1577, a merciless plague ravaged Venice and claimed the lives of about one-third of its population.

The epidemic spread rapidly throughout the city and was difficult to control due to the precarious conditions in which the people lived.

One of the victims of the epidemic was the painter Titian (Tiziano Vecellio). He died on August 27, 1576, and was interred in the Basilica of Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari.

The Doge Alvise I Mocenigo vowed to build a grandiose church dedicated to Christ the Redeemer (Il Redentore) if the plague ended.

On September 4, 1576, the Venetian Senate ordered the construction of the church on the Giudecca island, designed by the renowned architect Andrea Palladio.

A year later, in July, the city was declared cured, and the Venetians initiated a new celebration called Festa del Redentore.

After the beautiful Church of Il Redentore was consecrated in 1592, the Venetians started to build the votive bridge for the feast.

At first, Festa del Redentore was a purely religious feast, but over the centuries profane elements were added to the religious manifestations.

Today, the celebration includes a party, a regatta, and one of the most impressive fireworks display in the world.

FESTA DEL REDENTORE, THE FEAST OF THE REDEMEER

Feast of the Redeemer 2025 – The Fireworks Display

At its core, Festa del Redentore is a deeply religious event, marked by solemn ceremonies and traditional rituals.

The celebrations begin on Saturday, when thousands of pilgrims cross the votive bridge, fulfilling a tradition that symbolizes gratitude and penance.

On Saturday evening, Venetians and tourists alike gather on boats of all sizes, which are often elaborately decorated for the occasion.

Families and friends share traditional meals, including Venetian specialties such as sardines in saor, bigoli in salsa, and an array of seafood dishes.

The highlight of the feast is the fireworks display, which begins around 11:30 PM. For over an hour, the sky is illuminated with dazzling colors and intricate patterns, reflected in the water below.

This pyrotechnic spectacle is one of the most impressive in Italy, drawing thousands of spectators who marvel at the show from boats, waterfronts, and rooftops.

The fireworks are not just a visual delight, but also a symbol of celebration and renewal, marking the end of a dark chapter in the history of the city.

The second day of the feast, Sunday, is reserved for religious service and for the Regatta of the Redeemer (Regata del Redentore), a race of typical Venetian boats.

These boat races, held on the Giudecca Canal, feature both professional rowers and amateurs competing in various categories.

The regattas showcase the skill and heritage of Venetian rowing, a tradition that dates back centuries.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR FESTA DEL REDENTORE 2025

July 19, Saturday:

• 7.00 pm, the opening of the Thanksgiving Bridge;
• 11.30 pm, fireworks display in the Saint Mark’s Basin.

July 20, Sunday:

• between 4.00 pm and 6.00 pm, the Regatta of the Redeemer, on the Giudecca Canal;
• 7.00 pm – the Votive Mass will be held in the Church of Il Redentore, on the Giudecca island.