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Venice in December 2025

Venice slows down in December, trading summer’s frenzy for peaceful canals, festive lights, and crisp air. Christmas markets glow in piazzas, and La Fenice hosts elegant seasonal concerts. Fog lingers in the mornings—perfect for moody photos. Visit by mid-month for low hotel rates and clear views before New Year crowds roll in.

Venice in December 2025 at a glance

🌧️Weather

Crisp and chilly—average highs around 7 °C / 45 °F.

☀️Daylight

8.5 hrs; sun rises ~7:40 am, sets ~4:20 pm.

🎉Key events

Christmas at St. Mark’s, Venice New Year’s Concert.

👥Crowds

Medium; quiet mid-month, busy near holidays.

🛍️ What to pack

Warm layers, scarf, waterproof shoes, gloves.

🍽️ Seasonal treats

Panettone, hot chocolate, winter seafood.

Top things to do in Venice in December

See Venice glow with holiday lights

  • When: Throughout December
  • Tags: Seasonal, Outdoors

Wander after sunset as Venice decks out its bridges, piazzas, and alleys in golden Christmas lights. The reflections in the canals turn quiet corners into glowing vignettes. Campo San Polo and Strada Nuova are especially picturesque—bring a thermos of mulled wine and a camera.

Attend a concert at Teatro La Fenice

When: December 1–31

Tags: Cultural experience, Tour

La Fenice’s famed New Year’s Concert sells out early, but December features a full calendar of opera, ballet, and classical music. Arrive 30 minutes early to admire the gold-and-velvet interiors before curtain rise. Book through Venezia Unica to avoid third-party surcharges.

Recommended experiences:

  • Teatro La Fenice Skip-the-Line Tickets with Audio Guide
  • 1-Hour Guided Tour of Fenice Theater
Explore Teatro La Fenice tickets

Tour Doge’s Palace without crowds

  • When: Daily
  • Tags: Cultural experience, Tour

December’s lower visitor numbers make Doge’s Palace feel regal again. Take the Secret Itineraries tour to access prisons and secret council rooms. Last entry: 5:00 pm; close by 6:00 pm. Bundle up—it’s drafty inside.

Recommended experiences:

  • Doge's Palace Skip-the-Line Tickets
  • Doge's Palace Guided Tour
Browse Doge's Palace tours

Sip cioccolata calda at a canal café

  • When: Daily
  • Tags: Family-friendly, Explorer

Warm up at Caffè del Doge or Torrefazione Cannaregio with thick Italian-style hot chocolate. Sit canalside (blankets provided) and watch locals bustle by. Great afternoon break spot between sightseeing stops.

Ride a quiet vaporetto at sunset

  • When: Clear-weather afternoons
  • Tags: Outdoors, Tour

Hop Line 1 before dusk—December’s golden hour paints the Grand Canal like an oil painting. The boat’s heated cabin keeps it cozy; sit near the back windows for best views. Start at Piazzale Roma and ride to San Marco.

Photograph foggy alleyways early morning

  • When: Before 9:00 am
  • Tags: Explorer, Outdoors

December fog gives Venice its most cinematic moods. The best light hits before tourists stir. Head to Cannaregio or Castello districts for near-empty scenes of misty canals, laundry lines, and sleepy bacari.

Visit St. Mark’s Basilica with fewer lines

  • When: Early mornings
  • Tags: Cultural experience, Tour
  • Lines shrink in winter—arrive by 9:15 am for near-instant entry. Dress warmly; the basilica stays cold. Admission is free, but pay €7 to visit the Pala d’Oro altarpiece—worth every cent.

Recommended experiences:

  • St. Mark's Basilica Entry Tickets with Skip-the-Line Access
  • St. Mark's Basilica Skip-the-Line Guided Tour
Explore St. Mark's Basilica tickets

Browse festive displays at Libreria Acqua Alta

  • When: Daily
  • Tags: Explorer, Family-friendly

This whimsical bookstore piles volumes in bathtubs and gondolas to protect them from flooding. December adds string lights and cozy corners. Ask the cat-friendly staff for literary gift ideas.

Offbeat experiences in December

Climb San Giorgio Maggiore’s bell tower at dusk

Fewer visitors mean no queues and a view all to yourself. The winter sun sets over snow-capped Dolomites—if skies are clear.
📍Where: Isola di San Giorgio Maggiore

Join Venetians for Festa di San Nicolò

Celebrate the patron saint of sailors with mass and traditional foods on December 6. Few tourists know about it.
📍Where: Lido di Venezia

Warm up with cicchetti crawl in Cannaregio

Try seasonal bites like polenta and grilled radicchio at local bacari. Quieter streets make for easier table-hopping.
📍Where: Fondamenta della Misericordia

Take a vaporetto to see Murano’s Christmas tree

Made entirely of glass, Murano’s holiday centerpiece is stunning after dark—no tourist crush.
📍Where: Campo Santo Stefano, Murano

Catch Ocean Space’s final exhibits

Installations on art + climate run through early December—check hours before going.
📍Where: Chiesa di San Lorenzo

Visit San Francesco del Deserto monastery

Peaceful, monastic island—reachable by private boat only. Best with mild winter sun.
📍Where: Northern Lagoon

Festivals and events in Venice this December 2025

Venice New Year’s Concert

Orchestral celebration of the new year in an opulent opera house. Tickets sell out by October—book early via official sites.

Christmas at Piazza San Marco

Live music, market stalls, and seasonal decor bring festive charm to Venice’s grandest square. Visit midweek to avoid the peak.

Campo San Polo Ice Rink

  • Dates: 1 December 2025 – 7 January 2026
  • Event type: Seasonal attraction
  • Location: Campo San Polo

Venice’s only open-air rink opens in December—ideal for kids or romantic spins. Skate rental available. €10 entrance with gear.

Festive church concerts

Baroque ensembles and Christmas music echo in centuries-old churches. Arrive 20 minutes early; pews fill quickly, especially weekends.

Holiday market at Campo Santo Stefano

Stalls sell handmade masks, sweets, and mulled wine. Midday’s best—warmer and livelier. Bring cash for vendors.

Highlights for different traveler types

Couples

  • Stroll under the holiday lights hand in hand, then share cicchetti and wine in quiet corners of Cannaregio.
  • A December gondola ride may be chilly, but it’s pure romance—blankets provided.

Culture vultures

  • Attend chamber concerts inside historic churches, tour uncrowded palaces, and catch the Ocean Space exhibit before it ends.
  • The city’s quieter rhythm lets you soak in every brushstroke.

Solo wanderers

  • Foggy mornings are perfect for contemplative walks or photography.
  • Enjoy slow museum visits without pressure, and spend evenings in cozy cafés with a good book and hot chocolate.

Families with kids

  • Campo San Polo’s ice rink is a win for children.
  • Add kid-friendly art at Peggy Guggenheim and waterbus rides with warm snacks.
  • Watch for special kid concerts near Christmas.

Value hunters

  • Lodging dips mid-month. You’ll find deals on vaporetto passes and fewer lines at top sites.
  • Markets and bacari offer hearty local eats without breaking the bank.

Your perfect 3-day Venice in December itinerary

  • Morning: Start with a quiet walk through Castello’s misty lanes.
  • Breakfast: Espresso and brioche at Pasticceria Rosa Salva near San Marco.
  • Midday: Tour Doge’s Palace and cross the Bridge of Sighs—no lines!
  • Lunch: Warm up with squid ink risotto at Osteria al Mascaron.
  • Afternoon: Cruise the Grand Canal on vaporetto Line 1 at golden hour.
  • Evening: Attend a candlelit concert at Chiesa di San Vidal.
  • Morning: Visit Peggy Guggenheim Collection before crowds arrive.
  • Breakfast: Grab pastries and cappuccino at Bar Ai Artisti in Dorsoduro.
  • Midday: Ferry to Murano to admire the glass Christmas tree.
  • Lunch: Eat seafood at Trattoria Busa alla Torre.
  • Afternoon: Browse holiday stalls at Campo Santo Stefano.
  • Evening: Sip Spritz at Il Mercante, then ice skate at San Polo.
  • Morning: Photograph foggy Cannaregio—stop by Jewish Ghetto.
  • Breakfast: Hot chocolate and pastry at Torrefazione Cannaregio.
  • Midday: Take a private boat tour to San Francesco del Deserto.
  • Lunch: Enjoy polenta and chicory at Osteria Anice Stellato.
  • Afternoon: Shop artisan masks and paper in Dorsoduro.
  • Evening: Catch La Fenice opera or relax in a cozy bacaro.

Best day trips from Venice in December

Murano & Burano

🚤Travel time: ~30 min by vaporetto

Even in winter, glassblowing demos and Burano’s colorful houses shine. Weekdays are calm; bundle up and bring your camera. Great for half-day exploring and shopping.

Murano Burano Island Tours from Venice

Padua (Padova)

🚄Travel time: ~30 min by train

Visit Scrovegni Chapel for Giotto’s frescoes and warm cafés in the historic center. Less crowded in December, especially on weekdays. Book chapel tickets in advance.

Vicenza

🚄 Travel time: ~1 h by train

Palladio’s elegant architecture stands out in low winter light. Visit Teatro Olimpico and browse quiet Christmas displays at Piazza dei Signori. Less touristy than Venice.

Go shopping in Venice in December

Local crafts, sweets, and mulled wine. Expect twinkling lights, carolers, and artisanal mask vendors. Bring cash and go midweek for fewer crowds.

December brings fresh seafood, winter greens, and decorative food gift baskets. Locals prep holiday meals—watch the action over coffee at Al Mercà.

Independent artists sell handmade books, glass, and leather goods—ideal for meaningful gifts. Many offer gift-wrapping this month.

Pro tips for visiting Venice in December

  1. Bring waterproof boots. Flooding (acqua alta) can strike anytime—rubber-soled shoes beat fashion.

  2. Mid-December is sweet-spot: festive lights are up, but crowds stay low until Christmas week.

  3. Most churches are cold inside—dress in layers and wear gloves you can photograph with.

  4. Vaporetto Line 1 offers the best sightseeing—ride at sunset with a window seat.

  5. Book La Fenice concerts and Doge’s Palace Secret Itineraries tour 2–3 weeks ahead.

Frequently asked questions about visiting Venice in December

Is Venice cold in December?

Yes, expect highs around 7 °C / 45 °F and lows near freezing. Fog and occasional drizzle are common—dress in layers.

Does Venice flood in December?

Acqua alta is more likely from November to January. Stay updated using AVM Venezia or high-tide alert apps.

Are attractions open in December?

Yes, most remain open except for closures on December 25. Check individual sites for holiday hours.

Do I need to book in advance?

Yes—for La Fenice concerts, Doge’s Palace tours, and some restaurants near Christmas.

Is it crowded?

Early December is calm; crowds rise around Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

Are the canals still pretty in winter?

Yes—in fact, fog and low light make them even more photogenic. Expect quiet beauty.

What to wear in Venice in December?

Warm waterproof coat, layers, scarf, gloves, and non-slip shoes. Churches and stone alleys stay cold.

Is Venice worth visiting in winter?

Absolutely—it’s more atmospheric and less touristy. Plus, prices drop before the holidays.

Are restaurants open at Christmas?

Some close, but many offer special menus. Book well in advance for December 24–25.

Can I take a gondola ride?

Yes—blankets are provided. It’s cold but romantic. Daylight rides are warmer and scenic.