Hey travelers, do you want to know what is open in Venice on Christmas Day?
This complete guide by Venice Insider guide tells you exactly what is open in Venice on December 25th (Christmas Day), how to move around, what to expect and how to plan a memorable itinerary even when the city slows down for the holidays.
What is open in Venice on Christmas Day
Knowing what is open in Venice on Christmas Day is essential for a good visit to the Serenissima.
Visiting Venice on December 25th is a different experience from the usual. The city slows down, it gets quiet, the canals reflect the holiday lights and everyday life takes on a suspended rhythm.
For a traveler this means two things: an unforgettable atmosphere and some necessary precautions to avoid surprises.
Let’s see together what is open in Venice on Christmas Day (also in 2025), what closes and how to live the day as simply as possible.
What is open in Venice on Christmas in general?
When we ask what is open in Venice on Christmas we want to answer with attention, since there are different categories to consider. For example:
- Churches and religious celebrations: the Basilica of San Marco and main churches are open for Christmas masses; tourist access may be limited during the services.
- Main museums: here the situation is variable, the Doge’s Palace is often closed on December 25th, while some civic museums may have special openings (official announcements or MUVE programming). Check online first.
- Public transport (vaporetto/ACTV): vaporetti run on Christmas Day but with reduced hours and frequencies; plan your movements.
- Restaurants, hotels and tourist bars: many restaurants (especially touristy or big hotel ones) are open with Christmas menus; however many shops and small boutiques are closed.
- Supermarkets and chains: in Italy the general rule is that many chains close on December 25th but some branches (especially in tourist areas or hubs) may be open; check the chain’s website.
Closures and openings in Venice on Christmas: what to consider
Besides answering the question what is open in Venice on Christmas Day, we need to consider many other things, including closures.
Venice combines state institutions, local authorities, foundation-run museums and private activities: each entity decides separately its Christmas openings.
In the last few years some institutions (e.g. Civic Museums) have announced special openings on December 25th; in other years the Doge’s Palace has been closed. So:
- Before you go check the official website of the attraction.
- If you want to attend mass at San Marco book or check the celebration schedule (limited seats for the solemn services).
What is open in Venice on Christmas: categories
As we said, every section, from restaurants to shops to Museums have different hours. So to know what is open in Venice on Christmas we need to categorize everything.
See what is open in Venice on Christmas Day.
Churches and Masses
Basilica di San Marco: open for celebrations and visitor hours; on December 25th there will be solemn masses presided by the Patriarch, check hours and possible temporary closures for the services. Attending mass is an authentic experience but may limit tourist access.
Museums and monuments
- Palazzo Ducale (Doge’s Palace): traditionally closed on December 25th, so don’t count on it as an activity for that day.
- Civic Museums and MUVE: some civic or municipal museums might have special openings during the holidays; there have been official announcements in this sense. Before planning a visit check the museum’s website.
Transport (vaporetto, water taxis, trains/cars)
- Vaporetto (ACTV / Public lines): operating on December 25th but with reduced hours and frequencies compared to weekdays. If you have to move in the morning for a service or in the evening for dinner, calculate more time. Book water taxis if you have fixed hours.
- Venice Mestre (stations and supermarkets): land transport (trains) works normally but check the festive schedules. Big stations and tourist hubs will maintain essential services.
Shops, markets and supermarkets
- Retail shops and boutiques: many shops close for the holidays; tourist areas might have some openings “on and off”. Plan your shopping before December 24th.
- Supermarkets: national practice indicates closure on December 25th for many chains, but some branches might stay open. Check the chain’s website (Conad, Coop, etc.) for the list of open points of sale at Christmas.
Restaurants and bars
Many restaurants open on December 25th with Christmas menu (lunch is generally the key moment): book in advance; restaurants serving international tourism often stay open. Bars and hotel pastry shops tend to work normally.
Islands: Murano, Burano, Torcello
The islands are accessible (vaporetto), but workshops and shops might be closed; winter landscapes and walks are an option for those looking for peace
What is open in Venice on Christmas: what to expect
So, what is open in Venice on Christmas Day and what to expect?
Venice is not completely closed on Christmas but not fully operational either. Churches work normally because December 25th is a liturgical day; this means that Basilica di San Marco and many other historic churches are open for the celebrations. Tourist access might be regulated or limited during the services but the basilica keeps its religious schedule even on the most solemn holidays.
Museums follow a different logic. Big institutions like the Palazzo Ducale are usually closed on December 25th.
Other civic museums might decide to open or have reduced hours but this is announced in advance and can change from year to year. So it’s always good to check the updated hours before you go or in the morning itself.
As for public transportation, vaporetti don’t stop. Urban lines and island connections continue to run on Christmas Day, although with reduced frequencies and holiday hours. So you can move around, but keep in mind the slower pace and slightly longer waiting times, especially in the morning or evening.
What is open in Venice on Christmas: Restaurants, bars and supermarkets
So, what about restaurants, bars and supermarkets? See what is open in Venice on Christmas based on hospitality and accommodation.
Venetian Christmas is all about celebratory lunches and this works in favour of tourists. Many restaurants, especially historic ones in the centre, touristy places and hotel restaurants choose to open with special menus.
Booking is almost always mandatory because demand is high and service hours are limited. Some bars and pastry shops also stay open, especially in very touristy areas or connected to accommodation.
Different story for shops. Most of the small shops, boutiques and local businesses are closed for the whole day on December 25th.
In touristy areas you might find some shop open, but you can’t count on a real shopping day.
Supermarkets follow national rules and are generally closed, although some chains might have special openings in certain branches. Since each store decides on its own, it’s always better to check in advance.
How to plan your day on December 25th
Morning on Christmas Day is the perfect time to discover Venice without crowds. The calli are quiet, the light is clear and the cold temperature adds a special charm to the canals. You can choose to attend the mass at St. Mark’s Basilica, an experience many tourists consider unique, or walk to Riva degli Schiavoni, Ponte dei Sospiri or San Giorgio area to take some pictures.
Lunch is booked in advance. Fixed menus are the rule and include Christmas revisited Venetian cuisine. After lunch, walking to Dorsoduro, Punta della Dogana or Zattere will give you a luminous and silent Venice, perfect for a slow afternoon. If a civic museum is open, it can be an interesting option to add a cultural note to the day.
Evening the city is quiet. Some restaurants and bars keep the service, especially in hotels, while vaporetti run with reduced evening hours. Booking in advance helps to avoid waiting in the cold.
Practical checklist to bring with you
- Confirmations (restaurant, water taxi, mass) in digital and printed format.
- ACTV app or printed vaporetto schedule for 25/12.
- Waterproof shoes and jacket: Christmas in Venice is cold and wet.
- Small change (some shop might not accept card).
- Hotel number or local contacts in case of last minute changes.
Practical tips to move around without hassle
The secret to living Venice on Christmas Day is preparation. Having confirmations, vaporetto schedule, useful contacts and warm clothing makes the day much easier.
The city is not chaotic, but you must accept that some structures will be closed, including very famous attractions. The advantage is the possibility to discover a different Venice: more authentic, more breathed, almost suspended in time.
Quick FAQ
Can I visit the Doge’s Palace on Christmas Day?
Many years the Doge’s Palace is closed on Christmas Day; check the MUVE official page before planning your visit.
Do vaporetti run on Christmas Day?
Yes, but with reduced hours and less runs. Plan your moves with some time margin and download the updated ACTV schedule.
Is it a good idea to visit Murano and Burano on Christmas Day?
Yes for the landscape and the quiet; but many workshops and small shops might be closed.
Will I find restaurants open for lunch on Christmas Day?
Yes: many touristy restaurants and hotels offer Christmas lunch but booking is mandatory
Conclusion
Christmas in Venice has a special charm. It’s not a city full of events and open places, but a place that offers a unique balance between sacredness, silence, calm waters and winter light. With a bit of organization and choosing the right experiences for the time of year, December 25th can be one of the most memorable days of your trip to Italy.
Now you know what’s open in Venice on Christmas Day, book now.
Venice on Christmas Day isn’t “dead”: it’s slower, more quiet, often with real moments (masses, family lunches, almost empty calli). In fact: Venice at Christmas is waiting for you more than ever. And we at Venice Insider Guide are waiting for you with the city floating, next time.