Things to do at Christmas in Venice 2025
Hey travelers, welcome to the Venice Insider Guide guide to Christmas in Venice 2025.
First you’ll learn everything you need to know and the most frequently asked questions, then we’ll get to the things to do in Venice at Christmas 2025.
What to know about Christmas in Venice 2025
Venice doesn’t do Christmas crazy, but elegant. The streets are lit up with subtle decorations, the bells ring above the canals and the misty air mixes with the scent of vin brulé. December is the perfect month for those looking for authenticity, less crowds and a more direct contact with the city.
Christmas in Venice 2025
So, Christmas in Venice 2025 brings events, exhibitions, concerts and special initiatives that will animate the city until Epiphany.
The city lights will be turned on from late November to early December, while markets, concerts and religious celebrations will be throughout the month. The atmosphere is the perfect balance between sacred and spectacle.
Is Venice nice at Christmas?
Yes, and not just “nice”. Venice at Christmas is a winter gem. The soft light of the low sun gives white reflections on the palaces and bridges. The days are quieter, the canals are more silent, and the views are more photogenic than ever. It’s an intimate, authentic, almost cinematic Venice.
Is it worth going to Venice for Christmas?
Yes. It’s a special destination for those who love elegant atmospheres, local traditions and art. The Christmas in Venice experience here is not commercial: it’s made of beautiful churches, handmade nativity scenes, baroque concerts, foggy vaporetti and bacari serving seasonal specialties.
Is Venice worth visiting at Christmas?
Venice is worth a visit at Christmas in Venice 2025 if you’re looking for a trip that combines culture, history and winter romance. The cool temperatures make it pleasant to walk and visit museums without the summer heat or the crowds of the most popular months.
Why Spend Christmas in Venice?
Because Venice at Christmas seems to be suspended in time. You’ll walk among lights reflected in the water, listen to concerts in millennium-old basilicas and discover a more intimate and poetic side of the city. It’s a different Christmas in Venice: slower, deeper, more authentic.
Will there be acqua alta (flooding)?
Acqua alta can happen, but thanks to the MOSE system it’s much less frequent and invasive than in the past. Even when it does happen, it’s only for a few hours. High boots or temporary walkways will allow you to move around without problems.
Do I have to pay a tourist tax in Venice at Christmas?
Yes, the hotel tax and the access fee for day visitors might be applied. For December 2025 the dates will be announced, so we recommend to check before you go through official sources.
Are there Christmas Markets in Venice?
Yes, markets are mainly in Campo Santo Stefano, Campo San Polo and some islands like Murano and Burano. Don’t expect huge markets: the style is more artisanal and local, with typical Venetian products, Murano glass and seasonal specialties.
What to see and do in Venice at Christmas?
Museums open, concerts in churches, markets, stage lighting, handmade nativity scenes, winter-dressed gondolas and endless photo opportunities. December is perfect to discover the cultural and traditional Venice.
Can I ride a Gondola in winter?
Yes, you can. Gondolas work all year round. In winter the waters are calmer and the queues shorter. The winter light creates amazing reflections. Dress warm and enjoy the show.
Are museums and tours running in December?
Museums and galleries are open as usual, with slightly reduced hours on public holidays. Many guided tours are available, including those on Venetian Baroque, the history of the Republic and hidden places.
What is open in Venice on Christmas Eve & Christmas Day?
On December 24th many shops and restaurants are open until late afternoon. On December 25th museums and cultural activities may have holiday hours, while selected restaurants offer Christmas menus. Churches are the heart of the celebration.
Are there Special Christmas Concerts?
Yes, Venice is famous for its Christmas concerts, often held in symbolic locations like the Frari Basilica, San Marco and various historic palaces. You’ll find baroque repertoire, gospel choirs and sacred music.
What to eat and drink in Venice at Christmas?
Cicchetti warm, liver alla veneziana, baccalà mantecato, risotto de gò, fritole, zaleti and panettone artisanal. To drink, vin brulé, winter spritz and Christmas versions of classic Venetian cocktails.
What to do in Venice at Christmas 2025
Get comfy: now find out what to do in Christmas in Venice 2025. This is your Venetian to-do list, a rich and personalized itinerary to live the city like a true insider.
Attend Christmas Mass at St. Mark’s Basilica
Christmas Mass at St. Mark’s Basilica is one of the most exciting events of the entire Venetian winter. Entering the basilica while the golden mosaics reflect the candlelight is a mystical experience. The choir singing under the Byzantine domes creates a suspended atmosphere: even non-believers are deeply fascinated. Entrance is free but it’s very crowded so arrive early.
See the lights in St. Mark’s Square
St. Mark’s Square in December looks like a winter painting. The Venice Christmas lights highlight the Procuratie arches while the Campanile towers above like a beacon. It’s the perfect place for an evening stroll, a hot chocolate under the porticoes or to take photos that capture the essence of Venetian Christmas. The lights are never too much: Venice prefers elegance.
Attend a Christmas concert
The city offers a packed schedule of concerts, often held in extraordinary locations. At the Frari Church you can hear baroque and classical music echoing off the wooden sculptures and Tiziano’s works. At La Fenice Theatre, you’ll find elegant repertoire with orchestra and choir. Each concert is different but all share the same magic: the Venetian backdrop.
Visit the Christmas markets
Venetian Christmas markets don’t aim for size but for quality. Campo Santo Stefano hosts local artisans’ stalls: blown glass, Burano lace, ceramic nativity scenes, local food products. Here you’ll find a cozy and authentic atmosphere to find gifts that tell the city.
Enjoy seasonal Venetian treats
Christmas means enticing scents. Fritole (Venetian frittelle), once a street food and now an identity sweet, fill the pastry shops. Zaleti, rustic biscuits made with yellow flour, are perfect for a evening tea. And then there’s the vin brulé, served at the main squares’ kiosks. Walking with a hot cup between the calli is one of the small joys of December.
Explore Venice’s nativity scenes
Venetian churches keep nativity scenes of every style and period. Some are minimalist, others are scenic with carved wooden figures, others still preserve ancient traditions. The Frari Basilica and San Zaccaria Church have particularly beautiful nativity scenes, while in the scuole (the ancient Venetian confraternities) you can find precious and little-known representations.
Take a winter canal ride
In gondola or vaporetto, the canals in winter reveal a more intimate side. The low winter sun creates silver reflections, while the morning mist wraps bridges and palaces like a theatrical scenery. The gondoliers provide blankets and the route is quieter than usual: pure poetry.
Go ice skating at Campo San Polo
The ice rink at Campo San Polo is a Venetian Christmas classic. Here come families, students, Venetians and tourists. Skating surrounded by historic palaces has a special charm, almost like a little lakeside Christmas village.
Museums & Galleries
December is the perfect time to explore Venetian culture. At the Gallerie dell’Accademia you can see Venetian painting from the Middle Ages to the 19th century. At Palazzo Ducale you’ll discover the power of the Serenissima through its monumental rooms. At the Peggy Guggenheim Collection you’ll immerse yourself in modern art with a completely different energy. The lines are shorter and the rooms are more peaceful: a real treat.
Churches
Venetian churches are living museums. Santa Maria della Salute welcomes visitors with its baroque splendor. At the Frari you can see absolute masterpieces by Tiziano and Donatello. San Zaccaria keeps Renaissance treasures to be discovered at your own pace. At Christmas many churches display seasonal decorations that enrich the visit.
Restaurants
December is the perfect time to taste authentic Venetian cuisine. Many restaurants offer menus based on baccalà mantecato, seasonal risottos, market fish and typical sweets. It’s a time when quality is high and gastronomic proposals are more creative than usual. Booking is essential.
Visiting the Islands
The islands in winter are an almost contemplative experience. Murano shines with the reflections of the furnaces: glass seems more vibrant with the cold. Burano in this season looks like a watercolor painting immersed in the mist. Torcello is quiet and spiritual, with the cathedral dominating a suspended landscape.
Christmass Market
The main market is at Campo Santo Stefano, a little urban Venice Christmas markets village. Here you can find products you won’t find elsewhere: miniature glass, old books, handmade scarves, local sweets. The atmosphere is cozy and perfect for a quiet stroll.
Skating Rinks
San Polo is the most iconic one, but in some years smaller rinks are set up in other areas. Depends on the annual program, but skating in a Venetian field is unbeatable.
Venice Movie Theatre
The coldest evenings find a perfect refuge in Venice’s historic cinemas. Some show Christmas screenings, author films and original projections. A nice way to live the city like a local.
Libreria Acqua Alta at Christmas
The famous bookshop becomes even more fairy-tale like in December. The seasonal decorations mix with the books stacked in gondolas and bathtubs, creating rooms that seem to have been invented by a novelist. The winter light makes it perfect for author photos.
Watch the Santa Claus Regatta
The Santa Claus Regatta is a purely Venetian tradition: dozens of rowers, dressed as Santa Claus, row the Grand Canal with laughter, colors and songs. A fun and unique event, perfect for those who want to live a truly lagoon Christmas.
Christmas Eve
December 24th Venice is lit up. The streets shine, restaurants serve special dinners, the city vibrates with anticipation. It’s the perfect evening for a long walk among the lights and to attend the midnight mass in the main churches. The atmosphere is intimate and poetic.
Christmas Day
December 25th Venice wakes up slowly. The bells ring in the lagoon, the vaporetti sail quietly, the city has a relaxed pace. Perfect for a morning walk, visiting the open churches and a special lunch at the restaurants that offer festive menus.
Stay until New Year’s Eve
Staying until New Year’s Eve means seeing Venice transform into a glittering stage: music events, concerts, banquets, fireworks on the St. Mark’s Basin. A spectacular ending to your trip. And between 2°C and 9°C. The air can be humid and some days the mist wraps the lagoon making the city even more fascinating. Wear a warm coat, scarf and gloves and you’ll be all set.
FAQ
Is Venice very cold at Christmas?
It’s cold, but not freezing. The climate is humid, so covering up is the perfect strategy.
Are there places to eat on December 25th?
Yes, but you need to book. Restaurants open offer special menus.
Do gondolas work in the mist?
Yes, unless weather conditions are prohibitive.
Are hotels full in December?
Less than in August, but Christmas and New Year’s Eve attract many tourists.
Conclusion
So, Christmas in Venice 2025 is a poetic, cultural, water-lit and centuries-old tradition experience.
Now you can really see the city at a slower pace, feel its real soul and have an unforgettable Christmas.
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your window on Venice.