Venice in winter, from November to February, means short days, damp cold, fewer visitors outside the holidays and the chance of high water, but also the Festa della Salute on 21 November, a family-centered Christmas and the Carnival, which in 2027 runs from 23 January to 9 February. Here is what to expect and how to plan a winter stay in Venice, Italy.
What happens in Venice from November to February?
- 21 November – Festa della Salute: Venetians cross the Grand Canal on a temporary votive bridge to the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute, giving thanks for the end of the plague of 1630–1631. It is a devotional day: dress and behave as you would at a service.
- December and the holidays: masses in the parish churches, nativity scenes and lit windows in Cannaregio and Castello. Holiday opening times change every year and from one museum to another.
- 6 January – Regata delle Befane: rowers dressed as the Befana race on the Grand Canal near the Rialto Bridge, a tradition that dates back to 1979.
- 23 January – 9 February 2027 – Carnival: masks, water parades and events across the historic center, ending on Shrove Tuesday. The detailed program is published by the organizer closer to the date.
Our Venice events page is updated as programs are confirmed.
What should you know about acqua alta and the MOSE?
High water occurs when a high tide combines with wind and low pressure. According to the City of Venice, water starts to appear in Piazza San Marco above about 82 cm and around the Rialto Bridge at about 105 cm. The MOSE, a system of 78 mobile gates at the three lagoon inlets of Lido, Malamocco and Chioggia, is raised when a tide of 101 cm or more is forecast, to keep the water in the city below 110 cm. The lowest areas can still see shallow water for a couple of hours around high tide.
In practice: pack waterproof shoes with a good grip, check the City’s tide forecast each morning, and listen for the sirens that announce a significant tide.
What is there to see on a winter day?
Winter suits indoor visits. On our St Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace private tour you see the golden mosaics and the Sala del Maggior Consiglio, and we can schedule the square for the hours of low tide. Our Venetian palaces private tour takes you inside museums in historic palaces, such as Ca’ Rezzonico or Ca’ d’Oro, depending on openings. On a clear, still day, the lagoon islands private tour to Murano, Burano and Torcello shows the lagoon in soft winter light, with the Byzantine mosaics of Santa Maria Assunta on Torcello. Opening times vary in winter: we always check them when we prepare your tour.
How do you plan a winter stay in Venice?
Leave room in your days for weather and tides, and alternate outdoor walks with indoor visits. Days are short, so start early and keep the late afternoon for a church, a museum or a quiet campo as the lights come on. If you are coming for Carnival, plan your dates and pace early, as the central areas fill up on the main weekends. With Venice Stay Design, Daniela Zarpellon helps you before the trip with the choice of neighborhood, the pacing of your days and what to see or skip; you book accommodation and any third-party services directly.
Planning a winter visit? Request a free, no-obligation tailor-made quote – reply within 24 hours.
