Festa di San Marco

Festa di San Marco honors Venice's patron saint, Mark the Evangelist, on April 25 each year -- also observed nationally in Italy as Liberation Day. The day's best-known local tradition is the bocolo: a single red rose given to a spouse, partner, or loved one, said to originate from a legend about a Venetian soldier-poet.

Observances are modest compared to Redentore or Carnevale, typically including a Mass at St. Mark's Basilica and small civic ceremonies rather than a citywide festival program.