Hey travelers, welcome to Venice Insider Guide! If you’re planning a trip and want to know the best things to do in December in Venice 2025, you’re in the right place.
December in Venice is a special month: the days are short, the lamp lights reflect on the canals, the morning fog wraps the city in a surreal atmosphere.
In this guide by Venice Insider Guide you will find everything you need to know to live the best December in Venice 2025: from must-see events, to Christmas markets, concerts to island hopping.
Things to do in December in Venice 2025
Let’s see what are the things to do in December in Venice 2025.
First of all, this month is not the warmest of the year: temperatures range from 0°C to 10°C, with frequent morning fogs and rain. This shouldn’t discourage you: instead, the winter climate adds charm and mystery to the canals, making the atmosphere unique and photogenic like never before. Dress in layers, bring a good umbrella and comfortable shoes, because walking is the best way to discover Venice. Gondolas and vaporetti are a romantic and practical alternative, but nothing beats a walk along the less touristy streets, where you can stumble upon quiet squares and picturesque corners.
December in Venice is a perfect mix of tradition, culture and unique shows. Here are the must-see activities to make your trip special.
Centre
The city, composed of over 100 islands connected by more than 400 bridges, becomes a silent wonderland in this period. The secondary streets are populated by small artisan shops and historic cafes, while squares like St. Mark’s Square are decorated for Christmas and every photo shot becomes a postcard. New Year’s Eve is also the month of Venetian traditions: from original regattas to Christmas concerts in historic churches, every experience is enriched by a cultural and historical context that only Venice can offer.
Highlights
One of the most fascinating aspects of December in Venice is the combination of tourism and local life. Unlike the summer months, the main streets are less crowded, which means you can visit St. Mark’s Square and Rialto Bridge without fighting the crowds. You can see up close the architectural details of the historic palaces, like the Byzantine mosaics of St. Mark’s Basilica or the Gothic facades of the palaces along the Grand Canal. December is the perfect time to enjoy the city in a more intimate way, visiting less known churches or small art galleries that in summer risk to go unnoticed. But Venice in December is not just history and architecture: it’s also live culture.
Christmas concerts, original regattas, food events and markets animate the city every weekend. Among the most suggestive markets you’ll find Campo Santo Stefano and Fondamenta San Lorenzo, where you can buy local handicrafts, Christmas decorations, handmade candles and typical products, like artisanal panettone or spiced wine to warm you up during your walk. These markets offer an authentic experience, far from the usual tourist souvenirs, and allow you to meet local artists and producers.
If you are an art lover, December is the perfect month to visit museums and galleries without the summer crowds. Palazzo Ducale, with its frescoed rooms and the history of the Doges, is a must-see, as well as the Gallerie dell’Accademia and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, which host masterpieces from the Renaissance to modern art. The winter temporary exhibitions often include exclusive shows, workshops and guided tours that offer insights into local artists and Venetian traditions.
Christmas period
December 2025 in Venice also offers unique events like the Santa Claus Regatta, where decorated gondolas navigate the Grand Canal with Santa Claus rowers. This event has become a fixed appointment for families and photographers, creating a cheerful and surreal atmosphere that you won’t find anywhere else in the world. You can plan your visit to attend this regatta and combine it with a gondola ride or a walk along the bridges.
Typical Venetian food
Don’t forget about food: December is the perfect time to try cicchetti, sarde in saor, baccalà mantecato and typical sweets like pandoro, panettone and fritole veneziane. Many historic restaurants along the canals offer special Christmas menus, often with local wines like Prosecco DOC or Bardolino, perfect for warming up on the coldest days. Some bacari also organize guided tastings, so you can discover the real flavors of Venice and the story behind each dish.
Islands
Venice in December is also perfect for day trips to the nearby islands. Murano, famous for glass, offers workshops and demonstrations, while Burano charms with its colored houses and lace. Torcello, with its thousand-year-old history and Santa Maria Assunta Basilica, is ideal for those looking for a peaceful moment away from the tourists. December allows you to visit these islands without the crowds, offering an authentic and more personal experience.
What to do in December in Venice 2025
Finally, the best time to take unforgettable photos is at dawn or sunset: the canals reflect the golden light, the morning mist adds a romantic touch, and the Christmas lights turn every corner into a living picture. Venice in December is a city to be lived with all your senses: to see, to hear, to taste, to photograph and to walk. Every corner has a story to tell and every step reveals a new discovery.
So, if you are wondering what to do in Venice in December 2025, the answer is simple: immerse yourself in the city, live its events, taste its food, explore the islands and discover hidden corners. December turns Venice into a living, authentic and magical city, ready to make you live experiences that will stay with you forever.
Best things to do in December in Venice 2025
If you want to live Venice to the fullest, here’s a selection of the best things to do in December in Venice 2025.
1. Christmas Markets
One of the best things to do in December in Venice 2025 is the Christmas markets.
Christmas markets are a must. In Venice you’ll find them in several locations, including Campo Santo Stefano and Fondamenta San Lorenzo. Here you’ll find local handicrafts, Christmas decorations, original gifts and specialties. Don’t forget to try the vin brulé to warm up between the stalls. The atmosphere is perfect for taking postcard photos!
In fact, the Venice Christmas markets are the perfect occasion to get into the festive spirit. Campo Santo Stefano and Fondamenta San Lorenzo host stalls with local handicrafts, handmade Christmas decorations and typical food products. Here you can find unique gifts, like ceramics, Murano glass, artisanal jewelry and precious fabrics. Walking between the stalls while sipping a hot vin brulé is a magical experience, especially when the winter mist wraps around the nearby canals.
2. Shopping
December is the perfect time for shopping in Venice. The boutiques in Piazza San Marco and Calle Larga XXII Marzo offer luxury products, fashion and design items, while the historic shops allow you to buy authentic souvenirs like Murano glass and Burano lace. In December, the tourist crowd is smaller than in summer, so you can enjoy shopping calmly, looking at the details of the shops and discovering hidden boutiques that sell unique pieces. The shopping centers and main streets also organize promotional events and Christmas windows, making the experience even more fascinating.
The boutiques in Piazza San Marco and the streets of Calle Larga XXII Marzo offer luxury products, clothing, jewelry and Venetian design items. Don’t miss the historic shops that sell Murano glass and Burano lace, authentic and refined souvenirs.
3. Christmas Concerts
Concerts are definitely one of the things to do in December in Venice 2025.
The city comes alive with Christmas concerts and shows. Churches like Basilica di San Marco and Chiesa di Santa Maria della Salute host classical music and Christmas choirs, perfect to live the magic of Christmas in an extraordinary setting. Check the official calendar to not miss exclusive performances by local and international artists.
4. Piazza San Marco, Grand Canal and Rialto Bridge
One of the best things to do in December in Venice 2025 is Piazza San Marco, Grand Canal and Rialto Bridge.
Visiting Piazza San Marco, Grand Canal and Rialto Bridge in December means enjoying these symbols of the city in peace. The winter light and mist create stunning photography scenarios, while the smaller tourist crowd allows you to appreciate architectural details and hidden corners. Walking along the Grand Canal or crossing Rialto Bridge on a cold afternoon is a more intimate, almost private experience that allows you to fully immerse yourself in the history and atmosphere of Venice.
You can’t visit Venice without walking in Piazza San Marco, admiring the Grand Canal and crossing the Rialto Bridge. In December the crowd is smaller than in summer, so you can enjoy these symbols of the city in complete tranquility. The winter corners, with light mist and Christmas lights, offer stunning photos.
December allows you to explore the squares and surrounding palaces, like Palazzo Ducale, without the tourist chaos of summer, offering a more authentic view of Venetian life.
The Grand Canal, the main artery of the city, offers stunning views in winter. Gondolas and vaporetti, often decorated for the holidays, slowly navigate between historic palaces lit up by Christmas lights, reflected in the calm waters of the canals. Walking along the banks or crossing the bridges that connect the different sides of the Grand Canal allows you to discover architectural details, hidden frescoes and historic balconies often invisible during the high season.
December also offers unique light games: the morning mist, the lit lanterns and the soft colors of sunset create unforgettable photos.The Rialto Bridge, symbol of the city, is a strategic point to watch the merchants, boats and gondoliers. In December, with the smaller tourist crowd, you can admire its structure and enjoy the Grand Canal view in complete tranquility. Near the bridge you’ll find historic food markets where you can buy fresh fish, local products and typical ingredients to taste Venetian cuisine at home or in a local bacaro.
Moreover, Piazza San Marco hosts events and concerts during the holiday season. Musical performances, choirs and cultural shows add a touch of magic to the visit, creating an atmosphere that combines history, art and festive tradition. The Christmas decorations, historic cafes like Caffè Florian and elegant shops complete the experience, making your passage through these places unforgettable and suggestive.
5. Santa Claus Regatta
The Santa Claus Regatta is one of the best things to do in December in Venice 2025.
A one-of-a-kind event: the Santa Claus Regatta! Enthusiasts and tourists gather on the Grand Canal to watch decorated gondolas and Santa Claus rowers. It’s a fun and entertaining show, perfect for families and for those who love to live the original Venice.
The Santa Claus Regatta is one of the most characteristic and original events of December in Venice. Every year, Santa Claus rowers navigate the Grand Canal on decorated gondolas, creating a funny and surreal show that attracts families, photographers and fans of Venetian tradition. The event combines local folklore, show and tourism, turning a simple regatta into a unique Christmas celebration.T
he idea of this regatta was born to involve the local community and tourists, to bring a smile and a sense of celebration to a period of the year that is traditionally quieter. The gondolas are often decorated with lights, pine branches and Christmas symbols, making each boat a floating little theatre. The event is accompanied by live music, children’s entertainment and animation along the banks, turning the banks of the Grand Canal into a real stage.
Participating in the regatta also means to learn about the Venetian rowing tradition, which dates back to the 15th century. Many of the rowers come from local sports associations that dedicate themselves to preserving this art, organizing races, training and cultural activities to promote the history of navigation in Venice. For visitors, it’s an opportunity to see up close the techniques and styles of rowing that differ from the traditional gondolas, to learn curious and historical anecdotes about the city.
6. Typical Venetian food
December is the time to discover the authentic flavours of the city. Try cicchetti, sarde in saor, baccalà mantecato and sweets like pandoro and panettone in historic pastry shops. Restaurants along the canals offer special Christmas menus, often with local fine wines.
Among the iconic dishes are cicchetti, small bites served in bacari, perfect for a quick snack between one walk and another. Sarde in saor, baccalà mantecato, fish balls and seasonal crostini are just a few examples of these delicacies.The sweets of December deserve special attention. Traditions like pandoro, panettone and fritole veneziane offer unique flavours, often enriched with creams, dried fruit or chocolate drops. Historic pastry shops along the canals propose artisanal versions, making every tasting a memorable moment. For the curious, some pastry shops organize workshops where you can learn to prepare these sweets, diving into the Venetian gastronomic culture.
Wine and hot drinks complete the culinary experience. Prosecco, local wines and vin brulé warm up during the cold days, while historic cafes like Caffè Florian offer an elegant and traditional atmosphere to taste sweet treats and hot drinks, surrounded by the city’s history. Many restaurants propose Christmas menus in December, combining traditional dishes with modern innovations, to live a complete gastronomic experience.
7. Night walks through calli and bridges
Venice at night in winter has a special charm. The lit calli and the reflections on the water create a magical atmosphere. Explore areas like Dorsoduro and Cannaregio, where you can discover hidden corners and picturesque bridges without the daytime tourist crowd.Areas like Dorsoduro and Cannaregio are perfect for these walks. Here you’ll find picturesque bridges, silent fields and small unknown churches where historic architecture blends with the daily life of the Venetians. Artisan shops, bacari and small cafes create ideal stopping points to warm up with a vin brulé or a hot cicchetto, and fully immerse yourself in the local culture.
8. Museums and temporary exhibitions
Museums are definitely one of the best things to do in Venice in 2025.
December is perfect for art lovers. Palazzo Ducale, Gallerie dell’Accademia and Peggy Guggenheim Collection offer permanent collections and temporary exhibitions. Take advantage of cold or rainy days to dive into Venetian culture without giving up comfort.
Palazzo Ducale, symbol of the power of the Doges, is a must-see: the frescoed rooms, the artworks and the historical archives tell centuries of political, cultural and social history. The visit allows you to understand the central role of Venice in the Mediterranean, between commerce, diplomacy and visual arts, and to see masterpieces by Tintoretto and Veronese in a unique architectural setting.
The Gallerie dell’Accademia offer a complete overview of Venetian painting from the 14th to the 18th century. Here you can see works by Bellini, Carpaccio and Tiziano, and observe details and techniques that have influenced all of European art. In December, with fewer tourists, you can linger longer in front of each work, participate in in-depth guided tours and even interact with curators and experts during special events.
The Peggy Guggenheim Collection is the modern and contemporary side of Venice. It shows works by Picasso, Pollock and Dalí, and temporary exhibitions on international artistic trends. December is the perfect month to visit the collection because cold days invite you to stay indoors, exploring exhibitions and participating in workshops or artistic labs, often designed for families and art enthusiasts.
9. Gondola ride with Christmas atmosphere
A gondola ride is one of the most iconic experiences in Venice, and in December it’s even more special. Gondolas are often decorated with Christmas lights, pine branches and small details that make the navigation magical, while the gondolier can tell you historical anecdotes, local legends and curiosities about the city and its lagoon. Winter cold doesn’t reduce the pleasure of the trip: warm blankets and an intimate atmosphere make the experience romantic, suggestive and suitable for families.
Gondolas can be combined with other cultural experiences: for example, you can start from Piazza San Marco, cross the Grand Canal and reach small side squares where markets or Christmas events are held. This way you can combine relaxation, culture and shopping in one experience. Many gondoliers also share tips on restaurants, shops or hidden viewpoints, enriching the visit with exclusive and authentic advice.
10. Day trips to Murano, Burano and Torcello
Venice is not just the main city. Take advantage of the winter period to visit the nearby islands without the summer crowds. Murano for the glass art, Burano for the colored houses and lace, and Torcello for the medieval art: a complete day trip to discover the lagoon in all its beauty.
Murano, famous worldwide for the glass art, allows you to visit workshops where master glassmakers create unique pieces, offering live demonstrations and workshops for those who want to try themselves. Winter makes these experiences more intimate, with fewer tourists and the possibility to interact directly with the artisans.
Burano is famous for the colored houses and lace. December gives the island a fairytale atmosphere: quiet streets, decorated with Christmas lights, offer incredible photo opportunities. The lace shops and small cafes allow you to taste local life, discover ancient craftsmanship and buy authentic souvenirs without the summer crowds.
Torcello, the oldest of the main islands of the lagoon, offers a historical and spiritual experience. The Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta, with its Byzantine mosaics, and the Throne of Attila are must-see for history and art lovers. Winter atmosphere adds a sense of mystery and quiet, perfect for those who want a more reflective and away-from-the-crowd visit.
FAQ
Is it very cold in Venice in December?
Temperatures range from 0°C to 10°C. It’s recommended to dress in layers and bring an umbrella, as fog and rain are frequent.
Are the Christmas markets open every day?
Yes, but hours may vary. Some markets close on December 24 and 25.
Can I take a gondola ride even in cold weather?
Of course! Gondoliers provide blankets and the winter atmosphere makes the ride even more romantic.
Conclusion
December in Venice is a magical and romantic experience, perfect for those who want culture, tradition and Christmas atmosphere.
From markets to local food, from concerts to night strolls: every corner of the city has a story to tell.
Now that you know the best things to do in December in Venice 2025, all you have to do is come visit us!
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