Venice is not the liveliest city at night. Outdoor events tend to be few, the barrage of tourists having driven many Venetians indoors for their entertainment. That said, there are some splendid festivals worth catching and the full range of music, opera and theatre that you would expect in any major tourist city.
Venice events
You can pick up pamphlets on dozens of daily performances across the city at any tourist information office. Much practical information on events can be found in the free booklet Leo Bussola, in Italian and English.
Venetians tend not to book in advance, but if you want to reserve a seat, it's best to turn up at the box office the day before a performance and you may have to pay extra for the privilege. Tickets for classical concerts are usually sold at the door but opera tickets may have to be booked months ahead.
Venice music and theatre
Music in Venice means mainly classical and opera. There is the occasional rock concert but few big names appear there. La Fenice is one of the top Italian opera houses, refurbished in the wake of a major fire in 1996, with performances not only of opera but classical music and ballet.
Theatres of note are Teatro Malibran and Teatro Goldini, the latter specialising in the comic works of Carlo Goldini, one of the city's favourite playwrights. The Malibran is the city's main venue for top flight classical and jazz concerts.
Churches, palaces and scuoli are also popular venues for major concerts and barely a night passes without a performance. Top of the classical pops is Vivaldi who worked and composed in Venice and his works are performed regularly at La Pieta in the Castello, the Palazzi Prigione Vecchie and Scuola Grande di San Giovani Evangelista.
Venice nightclubs
Nightclubs are few in Venice with Antico Martini the best known. A few others have live bands, including Paradiso Perduto in Cannaregio and Piccolo Mondo near the Accademia, or Casanova near the railway station
Venice cinemas
Venice has four cinemas, mostly showing dubbed Hollywood movies. The Rossini and Girgone Movie d'Essai are better known for art house films and of course there is the annual Venice Film Festival (see Festivals) held in the Lido which attracts all the big-name movie stars.
Venice casino
The Casino is located in a magnificent position on the Grand Canal and is open daily from 4pm to 2.30am and 3.30am on Saturdays. Casual dress is allowed for the slot machines though jacket and tie are a must if you want to play the cards.
Venice opera house
Live jazz
Venice Casino
Music concert
