From 21 November 2026 to 6 January 2027, Venice embraces the magic of the Christmas spirit with the Venezia. It’s Christmas Time programme. A rich calendar of events and celebrations that brings together tradition and craftsmanship in a magical atmosphere.

For guests staying at Hotel Indigo Venice Sant’Elena, this is the perfect opportunity to experience Venice from a different perspective. During the festive season, the city takes on a unique charm, offering a blend of cultural events and leisure activities, such as Christmas markets, seasonal entertainment and concerts.

Christmas Markets at Campo Santo Stefano and Campo San Polo

From 21 November to 26 December 2026, Christmas markets will be hosted in two of Venice’s most charming squares: Campo Santo Stefano and Campo San Polo. Located near Palazzo Grassi, Campo Santo Stefano turns into a Christmas village, with around 30 wooden chalets showcasing local craftsmanship, including Murano glass, lace, masks, decorations and traditional sweets. It’s the perfect setting for a leisurely stroll among the stalls. Admission is free.

Campo San Polo, the city’s largest square, will host a market dedicated to authentic Venetian products and an ice-skating rink that will remain open throughout the festive season. Whether you’re visiting with family or simply looking for some seasonal fun, it’s a wonderful place to spend a few hours.

Christmas Lights and Trees

From 21 November 2026, festive lights will decorate Strada Nuova, Piazza San Marco and the main streets of the sestieri (neighborhoods) of Santa Croce, Cannaregio, San Polo, Dorsoduro, San Marco and Castello. Christmas trees will be displayed and lit in some of the city’s most iconic locations, creating a festive trail throughout Venice. The Christmas lights will remain in place until 6 January, keeping the festive atmosphere alive throughout the holiday season.

The Santa Claus Water Parade

On 20 December 2026, the eleventh edition of the Santa Claus Water Parade (Italian: Corteo Acqueo dei Babbi Natale) will take place. One of the most anticipated events of the season, the parade sees hundreds of Santa Clauses navigating along the Grand Canal aboard traditional Venetian boats. The gathering is at 10:00 at Punta della Dogana, with departure scheduled at 10:30 and arrival at Rialto-Erbaria at around 11:00, where the awards ceremony will take place. An event that combines the charm of the lagoon with the magic of Christmas, offering a festive experience like no other.

Would you like to capture this unique event? The Rialto and the Accademia bridges offer excellent elevated viewpoints to take pictures, although they tend to get crowded very early. For a more comfortable position, we recommend standing along the foundations of the Grand Canal near San Samuele or Sant’Angelo.

Venice Lido: Christmas Island

From late November, the Lido also celebrates Christmas with Christmas Island (Italian: Isola del Natale), a series of events featuring Christmas markets, musical performances and the beloved Christmas train. An opportunity to explore a quieter side of the Venetian lagoon while enjoying the holiday atmosphere. The events will take place on 28-29 November and 11, 12, 13, 19 and 20 December.

Concerts and Shows at Teatro La Fenice and San Marco

The festive season in Venice is enriched by a programme of exceptional musical performances. On 17 and 18 December 2026, the Orchestra of Teatro La Fenice, conducted by Stanislav Kochanovsky, will perform a symphonic concert featuring the Christmas Eve Suite by the composer Rimskij-Korsakov. On 12 and 13 December, the theater will host Les Étoiles, an evening dedicated to classical ballet. Finally, it is impossible not to mention the traditional New Year’s Concert that will be held daily from 29 December to 1 January.

On 15 and 16 December, the Basilica di San Marco hosts a concert by Marco Gemmani and the Cappella Marciana.

Why Choose Hotel Indigo Venice Sant’Elena

Hotel Indigo Venice Sant’Elena offers a peaceful location in the Sant’Elena district, just a short walk from the Giardini della Biennale and with quick connections to the historic centre. The vaporetto stop is just a few steps away from the hotel, making it easy and convenient to reach the key locations of the Venice Christmas season.