Art & culture • 1–4 OCTOBER 2026
Salone dell’Alto Artigianato Italiano 2026: Italian craftsmanship at the Arsenal
Plan the Salone dell’Alto Artigianato Italiano 2026 in Venice, 1–4 October: opening hours, tickets, Arsenale Nord access and ACTV SA transport.
From 1 to 4 October 2026, the Venice Arsenal hosts 163 master artisans from across Italy and more than 100 live demonstrations. The Salone dell’Alto Artigianato Italiano is therefore much more than a display of finished objects: stands become open workshops where visitors can watch materials, techniques and craftsmanship in action.
163 master artisans and more than 100 live demonstrations
The fourth edition brings 163 master artisans to the Tese delle Nappe and San Cristoforo areas, with work ranging from gold, iron, textiles and wood to mosaic, glass, leather, paper and restoration. For visitors, the most valuable feature is the programme of more than 100 live demonstrations over four days: weaving, ceramics, mosaic, gilding, engraving, glass, leatherwork, jewellery and many other techniques turn the stands into working craft studios rather than static displays.
What happens during the Salone
The 2026 programme combines the exhibition with workshops, meetings, presentations, thematic conferences and events devoted to artistic crafts. Useful highlights for international visitors include I Mestieri dell’Arte and the miniature murrine documentary presentation on 1 October; Dialoghi sulla perla veneziana, “Mani che sanno, mani che fanno” and “Custodi. L’eredità culturale di Venezia” on 2 October; the UNESCO Venice and its Lagoon young-artisans meeting and another murrine screening on 3 October; and the MicroOrchestra concert on 4 October. The full schedule remains available on the official website.
I Mestieri dell’Arte at Tesa 113
The fourth edition of “I Mestieri dell’Arte” returns to Tesa 113, promoted by Fondazione Musei Civici di Venezia with Comune di Venezia and Vela Spa. Fourteen schools, institutes, foundations and associations take part, all working on the transmission of craft knowledge to younger generations. MUVE Academy, MUVE Education and an olfactory workshop are also present, showing how museums, education and contemporary craftsmanship connect.
Opening hours and tickets
The Salone is open from Thursday 1 to Sunday 4 October from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM, with last admission at 6:30 PM. On Saturday 3 October it stays open until 8:00 PM, with last admission at 7:00 PM. Full admission is €20 on site and €18 online; reduced rates apply under the official conditions, including a Venice resident rate. Check the official website before buying for any last-minute changes.
ACTV special line SA and how to get there
For guests coming from Marghera or the mainland, ACTV special line “SA” is the most direct link from Piazzale Roma “A” to Arsenale Torre di Porta Nuova. From Piazzale Roma it departs at 10 and 40 minutes past each hour, from 8:10 AM to 7:10 PM. From the Arsenale it departs at 20 and 50 minutes past each hour, from 8:50 AM to 7:50 PM; on Saturday 3 October there are two extra departures at 8:15 PM and 8:35 PM. It is a special-fare service dedicated to Salone visitors. Bacini – Arsenale Nord is also served by ACTV lines 4.1, 4.2, 5.1 and 5.2 and by the Alilaguna Blue line.
To plan the mainland-to-Piazzale Roma part of the journey, see how to reach Venice from Marghera.
Free shuttle from Biennale Arte
If you are visiting Biennale Arte 2026 on the same day, the two events are easy to combine. A free shuttle runs from Giardino delle Vergini on every day of the Salone, especially for visitors coming from the Biennale, between 10:00 AM and 5:40 PM. The official visitor information does not publish a fixed shuttle frequency, so treat it as a useful connection rather than a guaranteed timetable.
To plan what to see before taking the shuttle, read our guide to Biennale Arte 2026.
If you are in Venice at the end of September, Homo Faber 2026 offers another major journey into contemporary craftsmanship and ends on 30 September, the day before the Salone opens.
Marghera Venice Apartments tip
With half a day, focus on the live demonstrations and one or two programme events. From Marghera, the SA line from Piazzale Roma is the most direct option; if you are already at Biennale Arte, use the free Giardino delle Vergini shuttle.
Official information
Programmes, times, availability and conditions may change. Always check variable information with the official source before your visit.
Official Salone dell’Alto Artigianato Italiano website ↗A convenient base for Venice
Visiting Venice for this event?
Stay in Marghera with free private parking and convenient day-and-night connections to Venice.