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Christmas and New Year in Venice: A Festive Guide to the City of Canals /  by Marco Secchi

Spending the holiday season in Venice feels a bit like stepping into a centuries-old painting—a swirl of shimmering lights, quiet alleys, candlelit churches, and perhaps a gentle mist rolling off the lagoon. While Venice may not drape itself in extravagant neon as some other European cities do this time of year, the serene waterways and cultural traditions bring their own magic. If you’re planning to celebrate Christmas and ring in the New Year in the Floating City, here are some carefully curated suggestions to ensure your holiday feels both authentic and unforgettable.

1. Wander Through Illuminated Calli and Squares

Venice takes a more understated approach to Christmas decorations, but the city still sparkles in its own unique way. Strings of lights hang between buildings in the narrow calli, and iconic locations like Piazza San Marco and the Rialto Bridge are softly illuminated, making evening strolls particularly enchanting. While there are no Christmas markets in Venice, you can find artisanal gifts and festive treats at specialized shops and pasticcerie. Look out for locally made Murano glass ornaments, handmade masks, or traditional Venetian sweets like zaleti or pan del doge.

2. Attend a Concert in a Historic Church

Music is a deeply ingrained part of Venetian culture, and the holidays are a perfect time to enjoy it. Treat yourself to a classical music performance in an ancient church like Santa Maria della Pietà, where Vivaldi himself once worked, or Scuola Grande di San Rocco, known for its awe-inspiring Tintoretto frescoes. These candlelit concerts, often featuring choirs or chamber ensembles, offer an unforgettable blend of history and holiday spirit.

3. Indulge in Seasonal Flavors and Elegant Dining

Venice’s culinary traditions shine during the holiday season. Look for dishes like risotto di pesce, bigoli in salsa, or roasted eel—a Venetian delicacy often enjoyed on Christmas Eve. Whether you prefer the cozy ambiance of a traditional osteria or the refinement of a high-end restaurant, make your reservations early as tables fill quickly during this time of year. For New Year’s Eve, Venetian restaurants often offer fixed menus with several courses, including a late-night toast with Prosecco.

If you’re not sure where to start, aim for spots in Dorsoduro or Cannaregio that cater to locals—they often serve the best versions of traditional dishes without the touristy prices.

4. Celebrate Venetian Winter Traditions

Winter in Venice is a quiet and reflective time, and the city’s slower pace during the holidays allows you to truly immerse yourself in its atmosphere. Attend a Christmas Eve or New Year’s Day Mass at St. Mark’s Basilica to experience a service steeped in tradition and awe-inspiring architecture. Alternatively, explore quieter neighborhoods like Castello, where you can enjoy peaceful moments in hidden squares or along the canals.

For art and history lovers, this is also the perfect season to visit Venice’s iconic museums and galleries with fewer crowds. The Gallerie dell’Accademia, Peggy Guggenheim Collection, and Doge’s Palace are open during the holidays, offering a serene escape from the chilly air.

5. Ring in the New Year in Piazza San Marco

Venice knows how to welcome the New Year in style. On December 31st, head to Piazza San Marco to join locals and visitors for a festive countdown. As the clock strikes midnight, fireworks light up the Venetian sky, creating breathtaking reflections on the water. For a more tranquil experience, seek out a spot along the Fondamenta Zattere or another lesser-known canal to watch the fireworks in peace.

Don’t forget the Venetian New Year’s tradition of wearing red—whether it’s an accessory or undergarment—for good luck in the coming year!

6. Practical Tips for a Smooth Holiday Trip

  • Plan Ahead: Venice is a popular destination during the holidays, so book your accommodations, restaurant reservations, and any special activities well in advance.

  • Dress for the Season: While Venice doesn’t usually see snow, it can get cold and damp in winter. Layer up with warm, waterproof clothing and sturdy shoes for walking over occasionally wet streets or bridges.

  • Stay Central: For convenience and atmosphere, choose accommodations in neighborhoods like San Marco, Dorsoduro, or Cannaregio. Staying central will minimize travel time and keep you close to key attractions.

Conclusion
Christmas and New Year in Venice offer a blend of tradition, elegance, and serenity that’s hard to find elsewhere. Whether you’re savoring a holiday meal, listening to classical music in a historic setting, or simply enjoying the soft glow of the city’s lights, Venice provides a magical backdrop for the season. Embrace the slower pace, the timeless beauty, and the unique traditions of this remarkable city to create holiday memories that will last a lifetime.

Spring in Venice /  by Marco Secchi

Spring in Venice has the scent of the first warm rays of sunshine on the bottom, aperitifs enjoyed in the field and the color of mimosa trees that sprout from unsuspected hidden gardens, between a church and a palace of the sixteenth century.

These are the most difficult things to tell when talking about Venice. The beauty of this island is unquestionable: its most famous attractions, the famous foreshortenings, Piazza San Marco and the gondolas between the canals are well impressed in our minds. But Venice is much more than the sum of its individual wonders, and to miss it when you take a vacation right here is a real shame.


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Let yourself be guided by instinct, relax and try to recognize the essence of this particular city. Take the details, dwell on the architecture of less known buildings (many buildings, even non-noble ones, are more than five hundred years old and are still regularly inhabited by Venetians); take advantage of the spring sun rays to stop and contemplate the tranquility of a secluded little square, of an unknown canal, without the anxiety of having to visit all the most famous attractions; plan your itinerary and feel free to modify it at every step without warning, giving up without worries instagrammatissime attractions to accidentally discover lesser-known little pearls in the sestieri less traveled.

Spring blooms will awaken your attention to the many secret gardens of Venice that you can enjoy even just through a fleeting glance through gates and railings. Observe the rising and falling tides, adapt to its rhythm and identify yourself with the "breath of Venice", in its millennial balance between sea and surface.

One thing is certain, you will not regret it.

Venice from the Campanile! /  by Marco Secchi

A visit to Venice is not complete unless you seize the opportunity to admire the city from above...


With its 99 metres of height, St Mark’s Campanile offers the best view over the city and its lagoon! However, many visitors often skip this fascinating landmark discouraged because of long queues at the entrance, and prefer spending more time sightseeing, but you can book online your St Mark's Campanile tickets: the price includes a privileged skip-the-line entrance to San Marco Bell Tower which permits you to avoid the wastage of your precious time.

The imposing structure of the St Mark’s Bell Tower in Venice - and especially its great height – gives the profile of Venice an unmistakable symbol of greatness: the St Mark’s Campanile in Venice overlooks the entire city and the surrounding lagoon, allowing those who climb it, particularly on clear days, to enjoy far-reaching views that extend almost as far as the Alps.

Built with the purpose of serving as a beacon for sailors of the lagoon, the original Piazza San Marco Bell Tower was built on Roman foundations - probably a watch tower - and completed in 1173. After various changes and transformations over the centuries, the current form of the Campanile of St. Mark's Square Venice is in line with the architecture of the 15th century, when it was renovated and designed by Giorgio Terror, under the direction of Bartolomeo Bon. The main differences can be seen in the marble belfry, the addition of the upper structure with four faces – on which the Lion of San Marco and Venice appear - and the slender spire of bronze bearing on the tip a golden statue of the Archangel Gabriel which, placed on a turntable, acts as a wind vane. The height of St Mark’s Campanile is almost 100 m.

Each of the five bells placed in the loggia of St Mark's Campanile has a role: the 'Marangona' - the only surviving original - announced the beginning and end of the working days of the 'cormorant' (carpenters Arsenal) and meetings of the Great Council; the 'Nona' marks the south and the 'Trottiera' warned the nobles who were attending the meetings of the Great Council, and the 'Mezza Terza' informed the meeting of the Senate, and finally the 'Malefico' informed of an execution.

In the history of science, the Campanile in St Mark’s Square in Venice reached its moment of glory in 1609 when Galileo proved right here the effectiveness of his telescope.

A special mention is deserved for the loggia of St Mark's Campanile - at the base of the tower - facing the basilica, which was built in the 16th century by Jacopo Sansovino. The marble structure of the loggia is decorated with statues and portraits of classical taste that represent allegories to celebrate the Venice Republic. The loggia was also the seat of the guard of Arsenalotti, the prestigious military-corporation of workers employed in the Arsenal of Venice, who stood guard at the meetings of the Great Council. Along with the bell tower, the work of Sansovino 'separates' St Mark’s Square from the smaller St Mark’s square.

On 14 July 1902 the St Mark’s Bell Tower Venice collapsed on the square: fortunately with no casualties or serious damage to the surrounding architectural treasures, but the tower and below the loggia were almost completely destroyed. Recovering what was left of the original fragments, the San Marco Campanile was rebuilt 'where it was and how it was' - the famous phrase given by the mayor Grimani in his speech after the incident – on 25 April 1912.

For those wishing to visit Venice, the majestic St Mark's Campanile admission and Sansovino loggia remain one of the attractions not-to-be-missed.

St Mark’s Campanile opening times for skip-the-line entrance

The service is only available from 1 April to 31 October. St Mark’s Campanile Venice tickets can be purchased online up to 10 minutes before the selected entrance time.

Please note that, during the daytime, there are at least two time options available per hour (12 places available for each option) according to the time slot you choose to access the Campanile di San Marco with skip-the-line service.

10.15 / 10.30 / 10.45 am

11.15 / 11.30 / 11.45 am

12.15 / 12.30 / 12.45 pm

1.15 / 1.30 / 1.45 pm

2.15 / 2.30 / 2.45 pm

3.00 / 3.30 / 3.45 pm

4.15 / 4.30 / 4.45 pm

5.00 / 5.15 / 5.30 / 5.45 pm

6.00 pm

Campanile di San Marco ticket price: €8.00 (this ticket can be purchased only on the spot and does not include the skip-the-line access)

Campanile San Marco tickets with skip-the-line access

Full: €13.00

Concessions

Children up to 5 years old: free

From 6 to 18 years old: €9.00

PLEASE NOTE: to enjoy free admission to the bell tower, children up to 5 years old have to be held in their parents' arms. Otherwise children need a reduced ticket 6-18 years old because, as a matter of fact, they take up one of the places available in the lift.

You can go up and down the bell tower exclusively via lift: it is not possible to walk up, therefore this visit is not recommended to those who suffer from claustrophobia.

The visit to St Mark’s Campanile in Venice, Italy, will be suspended in case of unfavourable weather conditions (fog, strong wind, intense cold temperatures, ...).

For ticket holders with skip-the-line access to St Mark’s Campanile, the entrance door is located on the side of the tower connected to St Mark’s Square: once you are in front of the Campanile main entrance, you will find the door for visitors with online booking on the right. The voucher you receive at the end of the booking process contains all the instructions to help you reach the meeting place.

The online reservation for Campanile San Marco in Venice (ticket + skip-the-line service) is non-refundable: once the payment has been made, the booking cannot be changed and/or cancelled.

For reasons of force majeure (e.g. high water level) or in days with high turnout, the waiting time to go up the bell tower could last longer than expected. If such were the case, please respect the instructions given by the staff on site.