The 83rd Venice Film Festival wrapped up on the Lido this past Saturday, with May el-Toukhy's Woman Unknown taking home the Golden Lion. But the festival isn't just a week of premieres for industry insiders - it's one of the few major film festivals in the world where the public can actually buy a ticket and watch the same films as the jury.
This guide covers how the festival really works, how to see the red carpet without an invitation, how to get to the Lido, and what to do with the rest of your time in Venice while it's happening - this year and every year after.
Quick Facts
- What it is: the world's oldest film festival, organized by La Biennale di Venezia since 1932.
- Where: Lido di Venezia, a separate island reachable only by vaporetto (no bridge connects it to central Venice).
- When: end of August or early September each year - the 2026 edition (the 83rd) ran September 2–12.
- Open to the public: yes - public tickets are sold alongside industry accreditation, no professional credentials required.
- Ticket prices: roughly €10–50 depending on venue and time slot; evening galas in Sala Grande sit at the top end.
- Red carpet viewing: free, from a public area outside the Palazzo del Cinema - no ticket needed.
Is the Venice Film Festival Open to the Public?
Yes. The festival runs two parallel systems: professional accreditation for press, distributors, and industry, and public tickets for everyone else. These aren't a consolation prize - the 7pm gala screenings in Sala Grande, the ones with the red carpet and the cast in attendance, are reserved specifically for public ticket holders, not accredited guests.
Public tickets go on sale online through La Biennale, typically in mid-August once the daily program is confirmed. High-profile screenings sell out within hours, so it's worth deciding on a target film as soon as the program is announced in early August. Smaller venues and sidebar programs - Orizzonti and the Giornate degli Autori running alongside the main competition - are a much easier ticket and often turn up strong films before they become talking points.
How to See the Red Carpet for Free
The red carpet itself sits in front of the Palazzo del Cinema, and the area facing it is public - no ticket or accreditation required. Arrivals happen before each evening screening, typically starting around 5pm, with stars arriving on the carpet for about 20 minutes of photographs before heading inside.
Good spots along the barriers fill up an hour or two before a major premiere, more for opening and closing night. If you only have time for one thing during the festival, this is the one that costs nothing and needs no advance planning beyond showing up early.
Getting to the Lido
The Lido is a separate island in the lagoon, and the vaporetto is the only way across - there's no bridge or road connection to central Venice. Line 6 is the fastest option from Piazzale Roma, at around 20–30 minutes; Line 1 is slower but scenic, running the length of the Grand Canal before crossing to the Lido. During the festival, the line serving the Palazzo del Cinema runs more frequently to handle the extra traffic.
If you'd rather skip working out which line to take - especially with an evening screening to get to - a private water transfer takes you straight to the Lido without the timetable-checking or the crowds at the vaporetto stop. Explore private transfer options →
How to Spend Your Time in Venice Beyond the Festival
Screenings and red carpet arrivals fill the evenings, but festival days still leave mornings and afternoons free - and many visitors are combining the festival with their first real trip to Venice. A few ways to fill that time without leaving the city:
A private or shared gondola ride fits naturally into a free morning, or makes a good way to close out an evening after the red carpet crowd disperses. For a first look at the city's landmarks, a private tour covering St. Mark's Square and the Doge's Palace works well within a half day - browse tours and experiences in Venice and the Veneto for options. If your stay runs longer than the festival itself, it's also worth building in a day for Murano and Burano, or a day trip further afield.
For a schedule built entirely around your own festival plans - screening times, red carpet evenings, and everything in between - get in touch about a tailor-made itinerary.
Beyond the Lido: Watching Films in Venice Itself
The festival isn't confined to the Lido. A parallel program, Circuito Cinema, screens a selection of festival films at cinemas in Venice proper and Mestre - Cinema Rossini and Cinema Giorgione in the historic centre, plus venues on the Lido and in Mestre. Tickets run around €8 per film, a fraction of the Lido prices, and it's a practical option if you're staying in central Venice and don't want to cross to the Lido for every screening.
This Year at Venice: The 83rd Edition (2026)
The 83rd Venice Film Festival ran September 2–12, 2026, on the Lido, with the jury presided over by Maggie Gyllenhaal and ceremonies hosted by Greta Scarano and Nicolas Maupas.
The Golden Lion for Best Film went to Woman Unknown, directed by Danish-Egyptian filmmaker May el-Toukhy - one of only two films in competition directed by a woman this year, a point the jury addressed directly during the festival. Ilya Khrzhanovsky won the Silver Lion for Best Direction for DAU, while John Malkovich and Mathilde Arcel took the acting prizes. George Clooney and Ellen Burstyn received the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement.
The same institution behind the film festival, La Biennale di Venezia, also runs the Art Biennale currently on show across the city through November - if contemporary art is part of your trip too, our guide to this year's Biennale Arte collateral events covers the off-site exhibitions worth seeking out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can anyone attend the Venice Film Festival?
Yes. Public tickets are sold for individual screenings alongside industry accreditation, and no professional credentials are needed to buy one. The main evening galas are open to public ticket holders too, not just accredited guests.
Where is the Venice Film Festival held?
On the Lido di Venezia, a separate island in the Venetian lagoon, mainly at the Palazzo del Cinema.
When is the Venice Film Festival?
It starts at the end of August or early September each year. The 2026 edition (the 83rd) took place September 2–12.
How much do Venice Film Festival tickets cost?
Public tickets generally range from about €10 for smaller venues to €50 for evening galas in Sala Grande, depending on the film and time slot.
Do I need a ticket to see the red carpet?
No. The public area facing the red carpet outside the Palazzo del Cinema is free to access - arrive an hour or two early for a good spot at major premieres.
How do I get to the Lido for the festival?
By vaporetto - there's no bridge to central Venice. Line 6 from Piazzale Roma is the fastest option; a private water transfer is worth considering for evening screenings when you don't want to plan around timetables.
Who won the Venice Film Festival in 2026?
The Golden Lion for Best Film went to Woman Unknown, directed by May el-Toukhy.
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