If you have never been to Venice at Christmas you must come at least once. In fact, during the Christmas period, the atmosphere is truly magical.
The lights and decorations embellish the streets and squares while the magnificent Christmas tree in Piazza San Marco attracts Venetians and visitors around it, who capture the enchantment in shots and selfies as precious memories of Christmas in Venice.
Then in the city, there are events and initiatives in anticipation of December 25th, New Year’s Eve, and all the Christmas holidays which will end on January 6th, 2024.
Venice thus becomes even more enchanting where it is a real pleasure to walk, go shopping in the luxurious boutiques and shops of artistic craftsmanship, and discover the splendid museums, finally uncrowded, which will also remain open on Christmas Day.
We at Ca’ Amadi also take advantage of the Christmas period in Venice to enjoy the fortune of living here and falling in love with our city again.
Here are the suggestions we give to our guests who ask us what to do and what to see at Christmas in Venice.
Christmas in Piazza San Marco
Old Procuratie. New for Christmas 2023 in Venice, the vaults of the porticoes of the Procuratie Vecchie are illuminated by works of art in Murano glass from the Murano Illumina il mondo project.
Internationally renowned artists and Murano glass furnaces collaborated to create twelve unique Rezzonico chandeliers, celebrating the tradition and innovation of Venetian glass. Worth seeing!
Basilica of San Marco. On 19 and 20 December there will be the traditional Christmas Concert, organized by the Teatro La Fenice, in the magnificent spaces of the Venice cathedral. The program includes music by Claudio Monteverdi performed by the Fenice orchestra accompanying the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis choir.
Museums open at Christmas in Venice
All the civic museums of Venice are open during the Christmas holidays, with an offer that ranges from ancient to contemporary art, from photography to ceramics, from glass to miniatures.
Among the exhibitions not to be missed, we suggest:
“Marcel Duchamp and the seduction of the copy” at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, which presents a wide selection of works by the great French artist, including some of his most iconic works, such as “The Fountain” and “The Mona Lisa with the Mustache”.
“One hundred years of glass. NasonMoretti: The Story of a Muranese family” at the Glass Museum, which traces the history of the NasonMoretti family, one of the most important dynasties of Venetian glassmakers.
“Murano: Upcycling Glass” at the Glass Museum, featuring an installation of works made from waste glass.
“Miniatures on ivory by Rosalba Carriera” at Ca’ Rezzonico, which hosts a selection of works by the famous Venetian miniaturist of the 18th century.
“The Venetian Portrait of the Nineteenth Century” at the Gallery of Modern Art of Ca’ Pesaro, which presents a wide selection of portraits of Venetian artists of the nineteenth century.
On December 25th, December 26th, and Monday, January 1st, all museums will be open, including those that normally close on Mondays and Tuesdays. Furthermore, Palazzo Ducale and Museo Correr will be open until 9.00 pm (last entry at 8.30 pm) every Friday and Saturday, from 8 December to 6 January.
New Year’s Eve 2024 in Venice
New Year’s Eve concert at the La Fenice Theatre
The Fenice New Year’s Concert is a unique experience that offers a moment of joy and celebration in a magical and evocative atmosphere.
The music, the voice of the soloists, and the acoustics of the Teatro La Fenice create a perfect harmony that involves the audience and accompanies them in the transition to the new year.
The concert ends with two immortal pages of the Italian operatic repertoire: the chorus «Va’ pensiero sull’ali dorate» from Nabucco and the toast «Libiam ne’ pleased glasses» from La Traviata.
Fireworks in the San Marco Basin
On the night of 31 December 2023, at the stroke of midnight, a magnificent fireworks display will illuminate the San Marco Basin.
The best view is from the banks of the Basin: Riva degli Schiavoni, Riva Ca’ di Dio, Riva San Biagio, and Riva dei Sette Martiri. We advise our guests to go early to the Arsenale vaporetto stop. The fireworks can be seen very well from there.
Having fun in Venice at Christmas
There are also many initiatives dedicated to fun during the Venetian Christmas. Among these is the ice skating rink in Campo San Polo open every day until eight in the evening. Ice skating in Venice surrounded by the Christmas atmosphere is a unique experience!
On Sunday 17 December, the meeting is at 9.30 am in Campo Santa Margherita where the Santa Claus race starts. 7 km to be done happily, fully dressed thanks to the kit to be purchased at the race office. The proceeds are donated to charity.
At 11:00 the party moves to the Grand Canal where the Christmas water procession takes place followed by the Santa Claus Regatta.
We are waiting for you at Ca’ Amadi for your Christmas in Venice! Choose your room here.