The Venice Biennale is an annual celebration of art and architecture. The topic changes in alternating years, even numbered years are architecture while odd numbers are art.

Famous for architecture and art in its own right, Venice has hosted the architecture biennale for nearly 40 years. The Art Biennale is much older and has been taking place in Venice since 1895.

VENICE BIENNALE 2018 DATES: LA BIENALE DI VENEZIA

The main exhibition of the 16th annual 2018 Architecture Biennale will take place from May 26th to November 25th in Venice, Italy. Many other special events will also take place during this time.

The theme of the 2018 Biennale is Freespace.

The agenda has not been set yet for 2018, but we will update this when it has been announced. Following were some of the special events from 2016 to give you an idea of the activities.

• the 16th International Architecture Exhibition, directed by Alejandro Aravena, will run from 28 May to 27 November
• the Biennale Danza (director Virgilio Sieni) will run from 17 to 26 June
• the Biennale Teatro (director Àlex Rigola) will run from 27 July to 14 August
• the 73rd Venice International Film Festival, directed by Alberto Barbera, will run from 31 August to 10 September
• the Biennale Musica (director Ivan Fedele) will run from 7 to 16 October

The main Biennale sites at Arsenale and Giardini are closed on Mondays.

VENICE BIENNALE 2018 TICKETS

You can purchase tickets for the Biennale online,  or at the main entrances to the events at the Giardini and Arsenale. In the first month of the event and busy summer weekends ticket lines may be long. However in the autumn months there may be no queue at all. We went to the Biennale on a weekday in October and there was absolutely no one else in line and very few people in the exhibition space. If you do not wish to take the chance, purchase your tickets online on the Biennale website.

VENICE BIENNALE TICKET PRICES

Venice Bienalle tickets allow one entry to each of the venues. Biennale tickets are €20 for one adult, and annual passes can be purchased for €70. Students under 26 years of age can purchase tickets for €12 and passes for €45. Discounts are also available for groups and seniors.

If you plan to attend the Music or Film programs there are combination discounts available for those who wish to attend the Biennale as well.

For more information about reservations for school groups and guided tours, call +39 041 5218 828 or email promozione@labiennale.org

VENICE BIENNALE MAP & LOCATIONS

VENICE BIENNALE 2018 TICKETS

The main ticket office for Biennale Architettura 2018 is at Campo Tana near the Arsenale.

GIARDINI

The gardens in the east of Venice have been the traditional venue for the International Art Exhibition since 1895. The area hosts the Central Pavilion and 29 national pavilions. The pavilions are designed by some of the world’s most famous architects and are worth a visit.

ARSENALE

The pre-industrial shipyards, depots and workshops of the Arsenale are host to the main exhibitions of the Biennale. A visit to the complex is a treat in itself for history and architecture buffs. The Byzantine-style establishment may have existed as early as the eighth century, but construction of the present Arsenale structures began around 1104, during Venice’s republican era. At the peak of its efficiency in the early sixteenth century, the Arsenale employed around 16,000 people who apparently were able to produce nearly one ship each day.

COLLATERAL EVENTS

Additional exhibitions take place across Venice. These are definitely worth seeing as many of them are housed in fascinating buildings. Check the map for all locations.

 Be sure to reserve your accommodations in advance. The Biennale is a busy time of the year in Venice. Compare hotels across booking engines with HotelsCombined.

Before you go, get inspired by these amazing Venice Instagrammers!

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