The Venice Glass Week 2026: Dates, Murano Glass & How to Experience It Like a Local
Dates: September 12–20, 2026
Location: Venice, Murano, Mestre
Some cities are known for monuments. Venice is known for light.
Light reflected on water, filtered through stone — and transformed, for over a thousand years, into glass.
From September 12 to September 20, 2026, The Venice Glass Week returns for its 10th edition, celebrating the art, culture, and living heritage of Venetian glassmaking. It is not a trade fair, not a single exhibition, but a city-wide festival that turns Venice into a luminous laboratory of creativity.
This milestone edition marks a decade of international success for an event that has become one of the most important global platforms dedicated to artistic glass.
What Is The Venice Glass Week
The Venice Glass Week is an international festival founded in 2017 to celebrate, support, and promote glassmaking — the artistic and economic activity for which Venice has been famous around the world for more than 1,000 years.
Unlike traditional festivals, it unfolds across the entire city:
- Historic palaces and contemporary galleries
- Museums, workshops, universities, and private studios
- Venice’s historic center, Murano, and Mestre
For nine days, glass becomes a language spoken everywhere — through exhibitions, installations, live demonstrations, talks, performances, and guided experiences.
A Festival with Global Reach
The scale of The Venice Glass Week is impressive.
The ninth edition, held in September 2025 under the theme #TheMagicOfGlass, attracted:
- 165,000 visitors
- Over 200 events
- More than 300 participants
- 130 venues across Venice, Murano, and Mestre
This extraordinary participation confirms the festival’s international importance and its ability to connect tradition with contemporary creativity.
The tenth edition in 2026 promises to be even more ambitious, both in scale and artistic vision.
Murano: The Heart of the Festival
At the center of The Venice Glass Week stands Murano — the island that has guarded the secrets of glassmaking since the late Middle Ages.
Here, glass is not a souvenir. It is identity.
Murano furnaces continue to operate using techniques passed down through generations, blending ancient gestures with modern experimentation. During the festival, many of these spaces open their doors to the public, offering rare opportunities to witness glass being shaped by fire and breath.
Visitors who want a deeper, authentic encounter often choose a private Murano glass workshop experience, meeting real artisans rather than production lines.
Visit a Real Murano Glass Furnace
Why Venetian Glass Is Different
Venetian glass is not defined by a single style.
It is defined by mastery.
Over centuries, Murano artisans developed techniques that changed the history of glassmaking worldwide:
- Crystal-clear glass (Cristallo)
- Murrine and millefiori
- Filigree and lattimo
- Avventurina and gold leaf inclusions
What makes Venetian glass unique is not only the material, but the human hand behind it — a philosophy perfectly aligned with the spirit of The Venice Glass Week.
The Institutions Behind the Festival
The Venice Glass Week is promoted by the :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1} and organized by a prestigious group of cultural institutions:
- :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
- :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
- :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
- :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
This collaboration guarantees scholarly rigor, artistic excellence, and deep respect for Venice’s living craft traditions.
A Festival for Curious Travelers
The Venice Glass Week is not only for collectors or specialists.
It is ideal for travelers who want to:
- Understand Venice beyond landmarks
- Meet artisans and makers
- Explore lesser-known venues and neighborhoods
- Experience Venice as a living cultural capital
Many guests pair festival events with an off-the-beaten-path Venice tour, connecting contemporary creativity with the city’s everyday life.
Why Choose Tour Leader Venice During Glass Week
The Venice Glass Week offers hundreds of events — but knowing where to go, when, and why makes all the difference.
At Tour Leader Venice, we help you:
- Access authentic Murano workshops
- Navigate the festival efficiently
- Combine exhibitions with private boat transfers
- Understand the cultural context behind what you see
We work with artisans, not factories. We focus on quality, not crowds.
Plan Your Venice Glass Week Experience
Practical Information
The Venice Glass Week 2026 will take place from September 12 to September 20.
The application process for participating venues will open in Spring 2026. The full program and updates will be published on the official website.
To stay informed, visitors are encouraged to subscribe to the festival newsletter via the homepage of the official site.
For official updates, visit: www.theveniceglassweek.com
FAQs
When does The Venice Glass Week 2026 take place?
The festival runs from September 12 to September 20, 2026.
Is The Venice Glass Week only in Murano?
No. Events take place across Venice, Murano, and Mestre, in museums, galleries, and artisan spaces.
Can visitors watch glassmakers at work during the festival
Yes. Many workshops and furnaces offer demonstrations, especially when visited with a licensed local guide.
