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 winter light, totally changes the experience there.

December is an ideal time to discover Venice's main Catholic temple with your ticket for St. Mark's Basilica, taking advantage of the lesser influx of visitors at this time of year. You will have quick access to this emblematic building without queues.

You will also be able to visit the St. Mark's Museum and, so that you don't miss any detail, you will have at your disposal a downloadable audio guide 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 will also see in this experience. And best of all, from the terrace you will have an incredible view of St. Mark's Square.

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

In groups of about 20 people, you will learn the stories of legendary musicians and singers and discover the interior of this opera house characterized by a luxurious and elegant baroque decor, 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 time...

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

If you have traveled to Venice in December there is a nearby destination that you can not miss, Murano. At this time, the island is a must visit, because for a whole month becomes the capital of beauty made of glass. In addition, there is also no shortage of music concerts and exhibitions.

El Natale di Vetro celebrates the art that has made Murano a locality known worldwide: the manufacture of glass. The event begins on December 5 with a Mass in honor of St. Nicholas, patron saint of glassblowers. From that day and for a whole month, the squares and streets of the island are filled with glass sculptures and live blowing demonstrations by 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 breathtaking and I assure you that you will be left open-mouthed and with little desire to leave the place.

Although it already happens in the month of November, it is in December when the fog appears in Venice in a more usual way. Normally, it is 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 take the opportunity 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 almost get better in these circumstances. Thus, few more magical visions can be contemplated than the domes of St. Mark's Basilica appearing through the mist. Buy a hot chocolate or a good espresso and sit on a terrace to enjoy the view.

Riding a gondola under the blankets provided by the gondoliers in the mist is another unforgettable experience. The shape of bridges like the Bridge of Sighs blurs and blends with the fog, as do the nearby mansions.

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

The most common and what you can join if you are in Venice on those dates are the processions and festivities that take place outside. In many places stalls with traditional food are set up and it is customary to open new wines and drink them accompanied by sweets. If you know how to get around Venice, I advise you to try to live this day in different places to see how it is lived in each neighborhood.

Party, music, food and Christmas atmosphere go hand in hand in one of the most famous Christmas markets in Venice, the Santo Stefano market. If you travel in December, you should not forget to visit it and join the Venetians in all the activities.

During Christmas in Venice there are several markets where you can immerse yourself in the atmosphere of these dates. The biggest one is the one held in Campo Santo Stefano, very close to the very interesting Palazzo Grassi, which you may have seen if you have hired a private tour. In 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. In Santo Stefano, locally made products are the most popular, many of them handmade. In its stalls you will find everything from toys to pieces for nativity scenes, Venetian carnival masks and decorations made with 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 performers.

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 Piazzetta Casabianca, where artisans and master chocolatiers set up about 10 beautifully decorated white wooden houses to offer their products.

If there is one sweet that defines winter in Venice (especially when December arrives) 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 of this sweet. Its popularity will make you find it in every store and in many cafes and restaurants.

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

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

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

Although Venice, like the rest of Italy, is a city where Catholicism has a great weight, you can also find celebrations of other confessions. A good example is Hanukkah, a Jewish holiday that takes place during eight days and, above all, its nights.

This ghetto is considered the oldest segregated Jewish quarter in the world and, although the Jewish population of the city has been reduced to about 500 people, it still preserves the old traditions. In addition to the aforementioned holidays, religious ceremonies also take place in the synagogues. As it could not be less in a celebration in Venice, food also has its place in Hanukkah. Thus, a wide variety of kosher food is offered during the holidays.

After a more intimate and family-oriented day like Christmas in Venice, Venetians take to the streets again to celebrate **St. Stephen'**s Day, December 26. On that day you can join them by going to the theaters that usually program 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 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. Unfortunately, the installation has not always been successful, as it has been destroyed by bad weather and by the acqua alta. 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 that day is to go to St. Mark's Basilica to contemplate a work of art that is only exhibited during Christmas. It is a painting by Tiepolo called The Adoration of the Child and is located in the sacristy of the basilica.

The Venetian New Year's Eve also joins the Festa di San Silvestro (St. Sylvester's Eve). To say goodbye to the year you can choose between the two big parties that take place in the city, in St. Mark's Square and Piazza Ferretto del Mestre.

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

On the other hand, both squares are not lacking in drink, food and fireworks. Specifically, in San Marco there is a countdown to welcome the new year followed by spectacular fireworks.

Joaquin'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 participate in this custom.

Since 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 when it gets dark, where some choirs entertain the evening. They usually play Christmas music, although sometimes they surprise with more modern compositions. Despite the dates, the space is usually full of tourists who mingle with the locals.

The next step of the tour is to approach the area where the Rialto Bridge is located. There you will find a large number of bars and inexpensive restaurants that are filling up with people 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 attend 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 big concerns for travelers planning to visit Venice in December is the weather.

In principle, it is one of the coldest periods of the year, with an average temperature that does not rise above 9º. Lows, meanwhile, can drop to just 1° on average. On the other hand, rainy days are not rare either.

In any case, the best advice before arriving in Venice is always to check the weather a few days in advance in order to prepare your suitcase properly.

The weather in Venice in December makes it necessary to pack warm clothes in your suitcase. A thick jacket is a must, as well as sweaters, gloves and a scarf. It would also be important that the jacket is waterproof.

On the other hand, you should not forget an umbrella, as well as waterproof but comfortable shoes or boots.

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

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