The festa del Redentore (Redentore festival) started in the 16th century when the church of the Redentore was built on the island of Giudecca. At the time, a terrible plague was in Venice, killing more than 50,000 people. The church was built to honour Christ the Redeemer, in the hope that he could put an end to the plague. The Venetians promised that if the plague stopped, they would go there every year on the third Sunday of July. Once the church was built, a temporary bridge was made from a tight row of boats, so that the Doge (leader of Venice) could walk in procession to the newly built church.

Now, the celebrations begin on the eve of the festival with what seems to just be a huge party, with spectacular fireworks and a temporary pontoon bridge allowing people to spread out onto Giudecca (previously only accessible by boat). After the festivities, young people head to Lido beach to continue partying, well into the next day.