By Omololu Olumuyiwa
The Festa del Redentore (Feast of the Redeemer) is called the “most famous night” in Venice.
It is probably the most heartfelt holiday for Venetians, where tradition, religion, entertainment and fun coexist.
The Redeemer festival is a Venetian tradition that started about 500 years ago. It remembers a very happy event for the city; the liberation from the plague that devastated the city from summer 1575 until July 1577.
The main events of the Festa del Redentore still take place along the historical itineraries of this ancient feast.
The opening of the bridge connecting the main island of Venice to the smaller Giudecca island where the Redentore church lies, is a secular tradition.
Visitors can go over the bridge by foot and prepare for a crowded path and a slow walk. Also, they can also reach the island by boat.
In particular, the midnight fireworks show on Saturday, July 19 attracts thousands of visitors who want to admire the incredible view of Venice illuminated by the bright colors of the fires reflected on the waters of St. Mark’s Basin.
The celebrations take place Saturday and Sunday, in addition to the fireworks, include a procession along the pontoon bridge to the Church of the Redentore (Giudecca island) and other religious and non-religious events.
The Festa del Redentore is the most heartfelt event for Venetians; Venice comes alive from Saturday afternoon and the celebrations go on through the night on the boats, along the canals and in the historic places.
The main events of the Festa del Redentore take place along the historical routes that originated with the origins of this celebration.
The incredible pontoon bridge over the Giudecca Canal traditionally connects the Fondamenta delle Zattere to the Redentore Church built by Andrea Palladio; that is, it joins the largest island of Venice with the Giudecca Island where the church stands for one weekend a year. A truly evocative walk in keeping with tradition.
The Festa del Redentore always take place on the third Sunday of July in Venice. On Friday, 18th of July 2025 from 8pm the votive bridge connecting the Zattere with the Church of the Redeemer on Giudecca Island is scheduled to open while it remains in use until midnight on Sunday.
On Saturday, 19th of July 2025; “Luminarie” along the Zattere and Giudecca banks. Redentore Floats takes place from 7pm to 11pm music on the Grand Canal, St Mark’s Basin, Zattere and Giudecca. Firework show above the San Marco Basin at 11.30pm.
On Sunday the 20th of July 2025, The Regatta of Redeemer; the route winds its way along the Giudecca Canal; at 4pm the regatta on pupparini with two oars for young people; at 4.45pm the regatta on pupparini with two oars and at 5.30pm the regatta on gondolas with two oars.
Votive Mass at the Redentore Church on the Giudecca Island takes place at 7.00pm.
