13 Things to Do in Venice in December

Spending a few days in Venice is always a great idea, even outside of the usual spring and summer dates. The month of December, for example, not only offers visitors the usual attractions of the city, but they will also be able to enjoy activities that do not occur at other times of the year.

If you decide to travel to Venice in December you will find a city changed by the beauty of its winter. Its squares, streets and parks are filled with Christmas atmosphere from almost the beginning of the month, which mixed with the romantic touch of the winter light, totally changes the experience there.

December is an ideal time to discover Venice's main Catholic temple with your ticket to St. Mark's Basilica, taking advantage of the lesser crowds at this time of year. You'll gain fast, queue-free access to this emblematic building.

You'll also be able to visit the St. Mark's Museum and, so that you don't miss any detail, you'll have a downloadable audio guide at your disposal that will give you all the information about this sacred building.

Logia dei Cavalli and the Pala D'Oro are some of the key points that you'll also see in this experience. And best of all, from the terrace you will have incredible views of St. Mark's Square.

One of my favourite things to do in Venice is to take a guided tour of the La Fenice Theatre. Lasting about an hour, it's the best way to immerse yourself inside one of the most famous places in the history of Italian theatre without worrying about having to buy a ticket at the box office, avoiding the long queues at the entrance.

In groups of around 20 people, you will learn the stories of legendary musicians and singers and discover the interior of this opera house characterised by a luxurious and elegant baroque decoration, a characteristic royal box and wooden balconies. A unique space that hosts more than a hundred operas every year. If you are an opera lover, you cannot miss it.

Book your ticket for the concert of I Musici Veneziani and enjoy nothing less than a performance of Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons". A classic show performed by the renowned orchestra of Venice, I Musici Veneziani, whose members are dressed in the typical Venetian costume of the period...

Specifically, the show, which lasts an hour and a half, features four concertos for violin and strings representing scenes of nature set to music, inspired by each season of the year.

If you've travelled to Venice in December there's one nearby destination you can't miss, Murano. At this time of year, the island is a must-see, as for a whole month it becomes the capital of glass beauty. There is also no shortage of music concerts and exhibitions.

El Natale di Vetro celebrates the art that has made Murano world famous: glassmaking. The event begins on 5 December with a mass in honour of St. Nicholas, patron saint of glassblowers. From that day onwards and for a whole month, the squares and streets of the island are filled with glass sculptures and live glassblowing demonstrations by the artisans.

One of the highlights of this celebration is the so-called Tunnel of Lights. In this event, artisans place ten chandeliers made specifically for Christmas in the ancient portico of the cloister of San Pietro. The effect is absolutely stunning and I can assure you that you will be left open-mouthed and with little desire to leave the place.

Although it is already happening in November, it is in December that fog is most common in Venice. It is usually a fog that envelops the canals early in the morning, completely changing the appearance of the streets. Instead of waiting for it to disappear, my advice is to go out and let yourself be enveloped by the almost ghostly atmosphere of the city.

In addition to simply strolling around, there are some sights that are almost better in these circumstances. Few sights are more magical than the domes of St Mark's Basilica appearing out of the mist. Buy a hot chocolate or a good espresso and sit on a terrace to enjoy the view.

Another unforgettable experience is agondola ride under the blankets provided by the gondoliers in the mist. The shape of bridges such as the Bridge of Sighs blurs and blends into the mist, as do the nearby mansions.

The feast of the Immaculate Conception is celebrated in Venice, as in the rest of the Catholic world, on 8 December. In the Italian city this feast is also known as the Feast of the Lady of Fire and, in addition to the religious celebrations, it is commemorated with numerous activities in the streets, squares and parks.

The most common thing you can join in if you are in Venice on these dates are the processions and festivities that take place outside. In many places traditional food stalls are set up and it is customary to open new wines and drink them accompanied by sweets. If you know your way around Venice, I suggest you try to experience this day in different places to get a feel for what it's like in each neighbourhood.

Festivities, music, food and Christmas atmosphere come together in one of the most famous Christmas markets in Venice, the Santo Stefano Market. If you're travelling in December, don't miss it and join the Venetians in all the activities.

During Christmas in Venice, there are several markets where you can immerse yourself in the Christmas atmosphere. The biggest is the one held in Campo Santo Stefano, very close to the very interesting Palazzo Grassi, which you may have seen if you've booked a private tour. At this market you will find about 30 wooden huts offering all kinds of local products, including food.

One of the differences between this market and other similar ones is precisely the origin of the products sold. At Santo Stefano, locally made products, many of them handmade, are the most popular. In its stalls you will find everything from toys to pieces for nativity scenes, Venetian carnival masks and decorations made from Murano glass.

From the beginning of December and for almost a month, as the event usually lasts until the first week of January, adults and children can enjoy at Il Paese di Cioccolato the tasting of numerous recipes made with chocolate, as well as musical performances, children's entertainment and circus artists.

These activities take place near Venice, less than an hour away by public transport, in the town of Jesolo. There, in December, a real chocolate village appears for the enjoyment of chocolate lovers.

The specific place is the Piazzetta Casabianca, where artisans and master chocolatiers set up 10 beautifully decorated white wooden houses to offer their products.

If there is one sweet that defines winter in Venice (especially in December), it is panettone. No one who is in the city at this time of year should fail to try it to discover the authentic recipe for this sweet. Its popularity means that you will find it in every shop and in many cafés and restaurants.

The pastry is ubiquitous during the festive season throughout Italy, but many Venetians claim that none come close to their way of making it. The inside is filled with a mixture of candied orange, sultanas and lemon zest, although almost every family has their own tricks.

In case you're not convinced by panettone, there is another popular Venetian Christmas sweet: torrone. It can be said to be the Italian equivalent of nougat and comes in various flavours and textures. In Venice there are four different specialities that are sure to delight you.

If you go to the old Jewish ghetto in early to mid-December, illuminated at sunset by a large menorah, you will be able to take part in the festivities that take place there. Joining in the celebrations will be one of the best ways to enjoy the night in Venice. The whole neighbourhood comes alive with live music and dancing.

Although Venice, like the rest of Italy, is a city where Catholicism is very strong, you can also find celebrations of other denominations. A good example is Hanukkah, a Jewish festival that lasts for eight days and, above all, nights.

This ghetto is considered to be the oldest segregated Jewish quarter in the world, and although the Jewish population of the city has shrunk to around 500 people, it still preserves the old traditions. In addition to the aforementioned holidays, religious ceremonies also take place in the synagogues. As you would expect from a celebration in Venice, food also has its place at Hanukkah. A wide variety of kosher food is offered during the holidays.

After the more intimate and family-oriented Christmas in Venice, Venetians take to the streets again to celebrate **St. Stephen'**s Day on 26 December. On that day you can join them by going to the theatres that usually programme plays for that day, to the concerts that take place in the churches or, most traditionally, admiring the nativity scenes.

With the Christmas markets at their peak, the best thing to do on that day is to stroll through the streets of the city. In many of its corners you will find fabulous nativity scenes, although possibly none like the one that has been installed in the lagoon itself for some years now. Unfortunately, the installation has not always been successful, as it has occasionally been destroyed by bad weather and high water. However, if you are fortunate enough to be able to see it, I strongly advise you to do so.

Another possibility to take advantage of the day is to go to St. Mark's Basilica to see a work of art that is only on display during Christmas. It is a painting by Tiepolo called The Adoration of the Child, which is in the sacristy of the basilica.

The Venetian New Year's Eve is also linked to the Festa di San Silvestro (St. Sylvester's Eve). To bid farewell to the year, you can choose between the two great festivals held in the city, in St. Mark's Square and Piazza Ferretto del Mestre.

Naturally, the Venetians do not lose sight of their most famous festival, the carnival, even on New Year's Eve. So don't be surprised if you see a lot of people in the squares wearing the typical Venetian masks or in costume. If you're up for it, look for some kind of costume to join in the festivities.

On the other hand, in both squares there is no shortage of drinking, food and fireworks. Specifically, in San Marco there is a countdown to welcome in the new year followed by spectacular fireworks.

Joaquín's Traveller Tip:

The tradition in Italy to say goodbye to the year is to eat lentils. If you want to feel like a Venetian, don't hesitate to take part in this custom.

As it gets dark quite early at this time of the year, the Christmas Eve festivities start early. On this day, I recommend you to go to St Mark's Square after dark, where some choirs entertain the evening. They usually play Christmas music, although sometimes they surprise you with more modern compositions. Despite the dates, the area is usually full of tourists who mingle with the locals.

The next step of the tour is to go to the area where the Rialto Bridge is located. Here you will find a large number of cheap bars and restaurants that become more and more crowded as the hours go by. Soak up the atmosphere and order a glass of wine and some food before the bars close.

The night doesn't end with dinner. After dinner, many Venetians and tourists flock to the Midnight Mass. The best place is undoubtedly St Mark's Basilica, but if you don't arrive in plenty of time it will be impossible to find a seat. Alternatively, this mass is also celebrated in almost every church in the city.

One of the biggest concerns for travellers planning to visit Venice in December is the weather.

In principle, this is one of the coldest periods of the year, with average temperatures not rising above 9 degrees Celsius. Lows, meanwhile, can drop to just 1°C on average. On the other hand, rainy days are not uncommon.

In any case, the best advice before arriving in Venice is always to check the weather a few days in advance so that you can pack your suitcase accordingly.

The weather in Venice in December means you'll need to pack warm clothes in your suitcase. A thick jacket is a must, as well as jumpers, gloves and a scarf. It is also important that the jacket is waterproof.

Also, don't forget an umbrella and waterproof but comfortable shoes or boots.

The cold weather, shorter days and, above all, the lack of cruise ships mean that tourism in Venice decreases significantly in December. You're likely to find crowds at some major Christmas events, but the majority of attendees will be Venetians or from other parts of Italy.

Among the advantages of this situation is that you'll be able to see the city in a much more comfortable way, without the endless queues of summer.