5 Surprising Things to Do in Venice in March 2026

In March, the first hints of spring light gently brush Venice, revealing a side of the city many travelers tend to overlook. By March 2026, the celebrations of the iconic Venice Carnival have just drawn to a close, while Easter crowds are still weeks away. The result is a quieter, more breathable Venice — one of the rare moments when the city briefly slips into a softer rhythm, with fewer visitors and more accessible prices.

Spring in Venice is one of the most rewarding times to experience the city. Occasional high tides and short rain showers may still appear, so it’s wise to pack waterproof shoes — and your camera. Rainy days in Venice can be unexpectedly cinematic, creating reflections, silences and atmospheres that make the city feel almost timeless. And if the weather turns, there is never a shortage of museums, exhibitions and cultural experiences to enjoy indoors.

You may be surprised to learn that Venetians traditionally celebrate their New Year not on January 1st, but on March 1st. Known as Cao de Ano, this ancient custom has nothing to do with the Chinese calendar — and everything to do with Venice’s history. Read on to discover why.

March is also marked by International Women’s Day, which in Venice takes on a distinctly local character, alongside a solemn Palm Sunday procession and two art exhibitions well worth planning your visit around.

In this guide, we take you through five unmissable things to do in Venice in March 2026. This doesn’t exclude the city’s iconic landmarks or its many museums — nor the timeless tips for experiencing Venice like a local. For a broader overview, you may also want to explore our guide to the best events and exhibitions in Venice in February 2026, many of which will still be on.

Here’s what we suggest:

• Celebrate Cao de Ano, the Venetian New Year, on March 1st

• Events for International Women’s Day, March 8, 2026

• Bella Vita a Venezia, exhibition at Fondazione Querini Stampalia

• Mani–Fattura: Lucio Fontana at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection

• Palm Sunday procession, March 29, 2026

You may be surprised to discover that Venice’s true traditional New Year is celebrated on March 1st. Historically, Venetians welcomed the new year in March, marking both the legendary foundation of Venice in 421 and the arrival of spring. During the time of the Venetian Republic, March 1st symbolized the end of winter and the beginning of the fertile season.

In the past, celebrations were lively and noisy, with people parading through the city streets banging pots and pans to chase away mischievous spirits and welcome spring. Today, traces of this tradition still survive through cultural initiatives, often extending to nearby towns such as Jesolo and Treviso — offering a curious and lesser-known way to experience Venice’s past.

Until March 2, 2026, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection hosts Mani–Fattura: Lucio Fontana’s Ceramics. The exhibition brings together 70 works — some never shown to the public — from major public and private collections, offering an unprecedented look at Fontana’s relationship with material, gesture and form.

The Peggy Guggenheim Collection is one of Venice’s most fascinating cultural spaces overlooking the Grand Canal. After the Fontana exhibition closes, the museum will reopen on April 25, 2026 with Peggy Guggenheim in London: The Making of a Collector, dedicated to the extraordinary life of one of the most influential art patrons of the 20th century: Peggy Guggenheim.

On March 8, 2026, Venice celebrates International Women’s Day with a vibrant women’s rowing regatta. Female crews race traditional six-oared boats — usually reserved for men — along the Giudecca Canal or the Grand Canal, paying tribute to women through the historic Venetian rowing tradition.

Throughout March 2026, a rich program of events unfolds across the city, including theatre performances, concerts, art and dance shows, film screenings and cultural initiatives. On the international woman's day, women are also granted free admission to state museums and cultural sites across Italy — an opportunity not to be missed.

Fondazione Querini Stampalia presents the complete Gabriel Bella collection until April 12, 2026. Through 69 paintings, alongside engravings, historical volumes and audiovisual materials, the exhibition offers a vivid portrait of everyday life in 18th-century Venice. The show also includes a small film program dedicated to Giacomo Casanova, celebrating the 300th anniversary of his birth.

The Fondazione Querini Stampalia itself is a hidden gem: a house-museum, library and cultural centre located in Campo Santa Maria Formosa. Its ground floor and garden were redesigned by renowned architects Carlo Scarpa, Mario Botta and Valeriano Pastor, creating a fascinating dialogue between  ancient and modern.

Whether you are religious or not, Palm Sunday in Venice is a deeply atmospheric experience. A solemn procession moves from Campo Santa Maria Formosa to St Mark’s Basilica, marking the beginning of Holy Week. The ceremony is usually led by the Patriarch of Venice and includes the blessing of palm and olive branches.

Palm Sunday falls on March 29, 2026 — a meaningful way to welcome both Easter and spring. To explore Venice comfortably and without stress, consider a city pass such as the Venice Pass, which includes unlimited public transport across the lagoon.