For a city so deeply rooted in history and traditions—from its 14th-century palazzi and Byzantine basilicas to its boats-only transport system—Venice is perennially popular with modern-day travelers. (So much so that over-tourism and a proposed “day visitor” tax geared towards cruise-ship passengers have become big topics of conversation.)

But the crowds are particularly buzzing from late-spring to fall, thanks to high-profile annual events like the Venice Biennale and the Venice International Film Festival—plus, this year, the return of the Venice Boat Show. The warmer months also bring with them concerts and events, new hotel programming, celeb-chef-led food festivals and more. Here are some of the top reasons to visit the city on the Adriatic Sea in 2019.