There are times of the year when Venice’s energy shifts in a relevant way. One of these—and it’s also one of my favorites—is the Venice Art Biennale, during which the city—if that’s even possible—becomes even more of a hub for ideas, languages, people, and visions from all over the world.

Art in All Its Forms in Venice This Summer

23.06.2026

News

Some summers are remembered for the sea, others for travel. And then there’s summer in Venice, which manages to transform itself into something different every year, yet always remains that unique place where art, history, and daily life coexist seamlessly.

In Venice, in fact, art isn’t just something you visit. It’s something you encounter. It’s in the architecture reflected on the water, in the palaces that hold centuries of history, in the museums that recount the past, and in the contemporary installations that look toward the future.

This year more than ever, the Venetian summer is filled with extraordinary creative energy. The Venice Biennale continues through November, bringing artists, curators, enthusiasts, and visitors from all over the world to the city. Between the Giardini, the Arsenale, and various satellite venues, Venice becomes an open-air laboratory where every stroll can turn into a discovery.

But the Biennale is only part of the story. One of the things I love most about summer in Venice is the way culture spills out of traditional venues and blends into the city’s daily life. A prime example is the Festa de San Piero de Casteo, which brings one of Venice’s most authentic spots to life from June 20 to 29. It’s not just a folk festival: it’s an opportunity to experience the city as Venetians do, amid music, traditions, social gatherings, markets, and evenings outdoors. I love it because it reveals a different, lesser-known, yet deeply authentic side of Venice. And this year, it will also be a chance to admire the recently restored bell tower of San Pietro di Castello.

Art, too, continues to engage with the city through exhibitions that reveal its lesser-known facets. A prime example is “Venice by Night: Lights, Shadows, and Silences of Venice,” hosted at the Hugo Pratt Library on the Lido. Through the photographs of various artists, the exhibition presents a city different from the one we’re used to seeing: more intimate, quiet, and mysterious. A Venice made up of reflections, hidden glimpses, and atmospheres that belong above all to those who experience it every day.

And then there’s another exhibition that I find particularly interesting because it explores the deep connection between Venice and its natural environment. At the Giancarlo Ligabue Natural History Museum, the exhibition “In and Out of the Water. The Tidal Environment of the Northern Adriatic” takes visitors on a journey to discover that fragile and fascinating ecosystem that exists between land and sea. Through spectacular photographs and videos, it offers a close-up look at the biodiversity that characterizes the lagoon and the Northern Adriatic, reminding us just how much nature is an integral part of Venice’s identity.

And then comes the music. Few things are as exciting as attending a concert in St. Mark’s Square on a summer evening. As the sun sets and the square lights up, the heart of Venice becomes an extraordinary stage. In the coming weeks, artists such as Riccardo Cocciante, Andrea Bocelli, Edoardo Bennato, and even the La Fenice Theatre Orchestra will take the stage, treating the city to evenings that blend music, art, and atmosphere in a way that only Venice can create.

Perhaps this is precisely what makes a Venetian summer so special. There is no clear separation between the city and culture. Art becomes part of everyday life. You might find yourself visiting an exhibition in the morning, attending a show in the afternoon, and ending the day listening to a concert under the stars. All in the same place, all just a few steps away, and perhaps starting from the same spot: Suite735.

It’s no coincidence that this is one of my favourite times of the year. Many guests come to Venice drawn by a specific event and end up discovering so much more. An unexpected exhibition, a hidden gallery, a concert seen almost by chance. That’s the beauty of a city that never ceases to surprise. And perhaps the best way to experience this season is simply to let curiosity be your guide. Start at Suite735, step out without rushing, and let Venice do what it does best: turn every day into a discovery.