Venice is a city that seems to thrive on festivals and special events. Every season has special events but late summer and early autumn are particularly good, with the Venice Biennale art extravaganza every alternate year, the Venice Film Festival each autimn and the Venice Carnevale ranking as world class cultural highlights.
Venice Carnival
Venice Carnevale is held on the 10 days leading up to Lent and ends with a masked ball on Shrove Tuesday for the well-heeled glitterati - and dancing in the Piazza for everyone else.
By day people dress in bright costumes, many in the traditional classic white mask, black cloak and tricorn hat. Some will spend hundreds of euros on costumes while others turn up with painted faces and a simple cloak.
Regata Storica
The Regata Storica is held on the first Sunday in September and a colourful highlight in the events calendar. Gondoliers punt their brightly decorated craft down the Grand Canal, many in period dress, before engaging in a series of boat races to test their strength and skill.
As well as the main regata there are others throughout the year in various parts of the lagoon. June has the Regata di San Zanipolo, July sees the Regata di Murano and Regata di Malamocco while August has the Regata di Pellestrina and late September the Regata di Burano.
Venice Biennale
As if Venice wasn't already packed to the rooftops with high culture, it still manages to host one of the most glamorous international art festivals in the world. The Venice Biennale, held in every odd-numbered year from June to November, is a showcase for the best of contemporary art from around the globe.
Countries have their own pavilions and invite the best in art talent to display their latest work. It was launched in 1895 and now exhibits work from about 40 countries, mainly in the Giadini Pubblici and the nearby Arsenale. Although in early years standard academic painting dominated, it has now become an avant-garde event, often dogged by controversy.
As well as the main Biennale areas, there are extra exhibitions and events at venues all over the city, including fringe street events, installations and performances, particularly in the opening weeks in June.
Venice Film Festival
Founded in 1932 as a propaganda vehicle for the Fascists, it is now the most important European film festival after Cannes. The 11-day festival takes place on the Lido each year in August/September and films show in two cinemas. Though open to the public, you have to queue the day before they are shown to get a chance of tickets and screenings are quickly sold out.
Biennale art
Venice carnival
Venice regatta 
Film festival
