Specific events connected with important military victories gave rise to public festivals in the Piazza, such as the defeat of the Genoese in Chioggia, the victory of Candia and other events. On these occasions tournaments and games were held in the Piazza; from the Basilica Francesco Petrarch watched the tournament for the victory of Candia, which amazed him.

But the most successful and most spectacular festival was the last Thursday before Lent, in remembrance of the subjugation of the Patriarch of Aquileia. It was held in the Piazzetta, according to ancient ritual, in the Doge’s presence: a stage was set up dominated by a firework machine. The festival began with the killing of a bull, repeating the ancient ritual that required the bull itself to be offered to the Patriarch of Aquileia and continued with the “Svolo del Turco“: along an invisible wire, an “angel” was let down from the Campanile to the Palace balcony giving the Doge some flowers in exchange for a bag of gold coins. Then groups performed acrobatic displays called Hercules’ columns, creating figures that stretched high. All culminated in a spectacular firework display that was always loved by the Venetians, as we can see at the festival of the Redentore (Redeemer).
The Piazza was naturally invaded by masks during the Carnival period, especially on Saint Stephen’s Day and Shrove Tuesday. The last great festival was dedicated to the Dukes of the North, the sons of Catherine of Russia in 1782.
The pomp, illumination and the cost of the festival were, however, severely criticised, as the Republic’s period of magnificence and power was quickly coming to an end.