• About

    Festa di San Marco 2025 (Feast of Saint Mark 2025) will take place on Friday, April 25, 2025, in the incredible city of Venice.

    This festival, devoted to Venice’s beloved patron saint, embodies the spirit of the city, paying homage to both its religious roots and its storied past as a powerful republic.

    For Venetians, Festa di San Marco is more than a feast day. It’s a heartfelt expression of Venetian identity, filled with time-honored traditions, ceremonies, and symbols.

    As locals and visitors gather to honor Saint Mark, the festivities serve as a reminder of Venice’s rich history, its vibrant culture, and its enduring resilience.

     

    WHAT IS THE DATE FOR FESTA DI SAN MARCO 2025?

    The Feast of Saint Mark is a religious celebration dedicated to Saint Mark the Evangelist, the patron saint of Venice, which is held every year on April 25.

    Therefore, Festa di San Marco 2025 will take place on Friday, April 25, 2025.

     

    WHAT IS THE LOCATION OF THE FEAST OF SAINT MARK 2025?

    Festa di San Marco will take place, of course, in Venice.

    Venice is the capital of the Veneto region, with 50,000 people living in the historical center of the city, from a total of about 265,000 people in the metropolitan area.

    The historical center of Venice is composed of 118 small islands, and is divided into six areas called sestieri: Cannaregio, San Polo, Dorsoduro, Santa Croce, San Marco, and Castello.

     

    SHORT HISTORY OF FESTA DI SAN MARCO

    Festa di San Marco 2025

    Festa di San Marco 2025

    In the distant past, the Feast of Saint Mark was celebrated three times a year.

    The first date of the feast was January 31.

    According to legend, on this day, in the year 828, two Venetian merchants, Rustico da Torcello and Buono da Malamocco, with the help of a servant named Basilio, smuggled the relics of the Saint out of Alexandria.

    They hid the relics under layers of pork, which deterred Muslim officials from searching the cargo.

    The arrival of Saint Mark’s relics was a defining moment for Venice, solidifying its identity and establishing it as a spiritual and political power in the Mediterranean.

    Saint Mark’s symbol, the winged lion, became the emblem of Venice and a representation of the city’s patronage under his protection.

    The Venetian Republic adopted Saint Mark as its protector and built the iconic Basilica di San Marco in his honor.

    The second feast dedicated to Saint Mark took place on April 25, on the date of his death and martyrdom.

    The third day of celebration was June 25, in memory of the discovery of his relics, which, according to tradition, appeared inside a column during the Mass held for the consecration of the Basilica of San Marco, in 1094.

    The feast on April 25 is the only one remaining and still celebrated today.

    After the Second World War, the date of April 25 coincided with the anniversary of the liberation of Italy from Fascism.

    For this reason, the Municipality of Venice chose to move the feast of the patron saint to November 21, the date on which the Madonna della Salute was celebrated.

     

    BASILICA DI SAN MARCO

    The heart of Festa di San Marco is Basilica di San Marco, the architectural gem of Venice and one of the most famous churches in the world.

    Located in Piazza San Marco, the basilica is known for its Byzantine domes, golden mosaics, and intricate facade.

    The basilica, completed in its present form in the 11th century, was built to house the relics of Saint Mark and reflects Venice’s unique blend of Eastern and Western influences.

     

    THE FEAST OF SAINT MARK TODAY

    Basilica di San Marco - Feast of Saint Mark 2025

    Basilica di San Marco – Feast of Saint Mark 2025

    On April 25th, the Basilica of Saint Mark becomes the focal point of religious ceremonies and Masses dedicated to the saint.

    Venetian officials, church authorities, and citizens gather to pay tribute to their patron saint, filling the basilica with prayers, hymns, and the sweet scent of incense.

    In addition to religious services and personal celebrations, Festa di San Marco includes a ceremonial procession led by Venetian officials and clergy.

    Participants often are dressed in traditional costumes or garments adorned with the symbols of Venice, including Saint Mark’s winged lion.

    During the procession, participants carry banners and icons featuring Saint Mark and his lion, and many of the city’s historical associations and guilds take part in the event.

    The procession winds through Piazza San Marco, where spectators gather to witness the ceremonial tribute.

    Venetians take advantage of the holiday to spend time with loved ones, enjoying local dishes, sharing stories, and embracing the festive spirit of the day.

    It’s common for families to gather over meals featuring Venetian classics like sarde in saor (marinated sardines) and risi e bisi (rice and peas), which is traditionally eaten on April 25.

    Venetians and visitors alike can also enjoy open-air markets, food stalls, and music performances scattered across the city.

    Many locals wear or carry items featuring the colors of Venice – red and gold – or accessories adorned with the winged lion, creating a sense of unity and pride in their shared heritage.

     

    FESTA DEL BÓCOŁO

    The Feast of Saint Mark is also known as the Rosebud Festival (Festa del Bócoło).

    On this day, Venetian men present a single red rosebud to the woman they love, a custom rooted in a romantic legend from Venetian history.

    According to legend, this tradition originated in the 8th century, when a poor man named Tancredi fell in love with Maria, the daughter of Doge Agnello Participazio.

    In order to win her father’s approval, he went to Spain to fight against the Arabs.

    He was mortally wounded in battle, but managed to pick a rose and begged his friend Orlando to take it to Venice to his beloved Maria.

    After Maria received the rose, she was found dead with the flower on her chest on April 25.

    The tradition symbolizes love, sacrifice, and devotion, and is cherished by Venetians as part of their cultural heritage.

    Today, the custom of the bocolo is celebrated not only between lovers but also among family members and friends, expressing affection and goodwill.

     

    CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR FESTA DI SAN MARCO 2025

    On April 25, the most important religious celebrations are the solemn Mass held at 10.30 am in the Basilica of San Marco, and the Vespers, officiated in the late afternoon in the same church.

    Both celebrations are presided over by the Patriarch of Venice.

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