Venice in December: Winter, Christmas, and What to Expect
Winter is a special time in Venice. The city, in December especially, feels very different from what most travelers imagine.
Instead of heat and heavy crowds, winter brings cool temperatures, fog over the lagoon and canals, holiday lights, and a much slower pace.
Venice is also a great base to explore other cities in Italy’s Veneto region.
I think the benefits outweigh the drawbacks, but there are a few things to keep in mind as you plan your trip.
Where to Stay in Venice at Christmas
The crowds are minimal in Venice during the winter, so you’re fine to stay close to Saint Mark’s Square. For much of the rest of the year, I’d avoid that surrounding area because of the throngs of tourists that flock there.
You can plug your dates into this interactive map to see rates for your trip:
Video: Venice in Winter
What to Do if it Rains in Venice
There are plenty of sites to see indoors, but if the weather’s bad, book a cooking class! I was skeptical, but ended up loving it. Plus, I came home with new skills: how to make my own pasta AND tiramisu!
➡️ Click to Book: Cooking Class in Venice
I’d also recommend one of the operas. Even if you don’t know if you’re into opera, these performances are designed with tourists in mind.
➡️ Click to Book: Concert in Venice
Festive Holiday & Christmas Events in Venice
Saint Mark’s Square
The most famous piazza in Venice has different Christmas events throughout December. The one constant is the giant, beautifully lit tree.
I think it’s even prettier when the fog rolls in!
During the daytime, it’s usually still warm enough to enjoy the outdoor patios at the Piazza San Marco cafes.
City Lights
Beautiful Christmas lights line the streets of Venice in December.
The displays range, but they’re everywhere … from the main shopping boulevards to small side streets.
Store Windows & Shopping
December is, of course, a great time to go Christmas shopping in Venice. Whether you’re looking for souvenirs for yourself or Italian gifts for others, you’ll find everything you need in the shops along the canals.
Christmas Markets
Don’t believe everything you read online about the Christmas markets in Venice. While even the official tourism pages will list several, you might arrive to find none set up. From my experience, markets in Venice are more “pop-up” and last a weekend, rather than through the entire month of December.
Here are a few that you’ll see advertised, but you’ll really have to walk to each of the squares to see if they’re set up:
- Campo Santo Stefano Christmas Market: Each December, the square is filled with wooden market stalls offering artisans’ crafts, Italian food specialties, Murano glass ornaments, jewelry, and other gifts and souvenirs. It’s supposed to run through December.
- Campo San Polo: Not far from the other market, this may or may not be open during your visit to Venice in December. This is where you’ll find a small ice rink setup.
- Mestre Christmas Market (Piazza Ferretto): This one’s on the mainland side of Venice, and it’s supposed to run from late November into early January.
Teatro La Felice
Venice’s famous opera house is open to the public every day. Teatro La Felice will have a Christmas tree in the lobby. Beyond that, the opulent gold trim and warm lighting in the theater itself create a nice Christmasy feeling.
The cost of entry is 12 Euros for adults.
Winter Weather in Venice (December)
As you’d imagine, December is a chillier month in Venice. The lagoon surrounding the city can make the air feel cooler than it does inland.
Still, in my time in Venice at Christmas, I’ve had mostly sunny days around 50 degrees, which are great for walking around.
Temperatures
- Average daytime highs are around 45 – 50°F (7–8°C).
- Average nighttime lows hover near 35 – 40°F (1°C).
The wind can pick up and make it feel cooler, especially in the evenings and early mornings.
Rain, Fog, and Precipitation
December typically sees light rain or drizzle on an average of 5 to 10 days throughout the month. Heavy rain is uncommon.
Morning fog is frequent and can linger along the canals. Snow is rare, though occasional flurries or frosty mornings do happen in Venice.
Daylight and Sunshine
Daylight hours are short in December. Sunrise is usually around 7:30am, and sunset comes early, around 5:00pm.
High Water (Acqua Alta)
Late fall and early winter are part of Venice’s high-water season. Acqua alta, or temporary flooding, most often affects low-lying areas like Piazza San Marco.
Raised walkways are on standby in parts of Venice in winter to be set up quickly if the water rises.
Perks of Visiting Venice in December
Again, I think the perks outweigh the drawbacks of a Christmas visit to Venice.
Holiday Atmosphere
Venice embraces the Christmas season in a quieter, more understated way than many European cities. You’ll find festive lights, small Christmas markets in local campos, nativity scenes in churches, and seasonal treats like panettone and hot mulled wine.
Plus, the light displays never get old.
Fewer Tourists
December is low season, especially in the first half of the month. Major sights are noticeably less crowded, making it easier to enjoy museums, churches, and neighborhoods without the usual congestion.
Lower Prices
Hotel rates and flights are often significantly cheaper than in spring or summer. Luxury hotels that are out of reach during peak season can become surprisingly affordable in winter.
Gifts and Shopping
Whether you’re shopping at a big Italian brand, a locally-owned shop, or a Christmas market, there are endless options in Venice in December.
Quieter Gondola Rides
Gondolas operate year-round, but in December there are fewer visitors competing for rides.
Italian Comfort Food
From the bakeries (pasticceries) to the trattorias and osterias, Italian meals are a big draw any time of year! Hearty pasta and a glass of red wine always taste better when there’s a chill outside.
Drawbacks of a Winter Trip to Venice
Short Days
The biggest drawback is the lack of daylight. While this isn’t unique to Venice in the winter, it might limit some of your plans (as it would anywhere else).
Still, you’ll be able to dine outside many nights under heaters, canal-side.
Seasonal Closures
Some small shops and restaurants close or reduce hours during the winter months. One of my favorites, Trattoria Bandierette, closes from mid-December until January.
Major attractions remain open, but the city feels quieter and less lively at night.
The Chill in the Air
I mentioned: Venice in December is cold, and the damp air can be uncomfortable if you’re not prepared.
Waterproof shoes, warm layers, and a good coat are essential.
Murano and Burano at Christmas
The islands across the lagoon from Venice are bright and colorful year-round. Murano and Burano are easy to get to using the public water taxi from Venice (the cost is only 1 Euro per ride!).
Burano
Burano, known for its brightly-painted homes (which once helped guide fishermen through the fog). The island is about a 45-minute water taxi ride from Venice. It hosts its own Christmas market each December.
There’s also a town square with a big tree, surrounded by shops and restaurants (most of which remain open through winter).
Murano
Murano, famous for glass-making, is the closest island to Venice. Its stores and streets are also decorated for Christmas each December.
Verona at Christmas
Verona is an easy train ride from Venice, and a great place to visit in winter. The city is also decorated festively for Christmas.
There are a couple of Christmas markets in Verona:
- Piazza Bra: Mercatini di Natale
- Piazza Delle Erbe
You’ll find warm wine and prosecco to sip as you walk around the markets.
They’re full of food options, plus Italian leather goods, crafts, and more.
Treviso at Christmas
Treviso is just north of Venice, and an easy train ride as well.
The Christmas market, Natale de Treviso, is small but charming.
Winter is a great time to go on a tiramisu sampling tour in Treviso, where it first appeared on a menu in the 1970s.
A few of my favorite cafes and restaurants for the dessert are:
- Carmelia Bakery (photo below)
- Cae de Oro
- Le Beccherie (where tiramisu was created)
Final Advice for Visiting Venice in December
Pack layers, with a waterproof shell (just in case), and make sure your comfortable walking sneakers have good traction. Remember: Venice is a walking city, with plenty of small bridges (and big ones) over the canals.
I once wore the wrong sneakers to Rome in winter and wound up sliding all over the city’s stone streets!
Embrace the cooler days because it means you won’t be battling the crowds that descend upon the canals in the summer! Your Venice itinerary will still be full in the winter months.
With that said, it’s worth visiting Florence in winter, as well, along with Pisa, San Gimignano, and other cities nearby. From Rome, both Orvieto and Assisi are beautiful around Christmas, too!
