Venice in December
Quietly festive, with the canals at their calmest before the holidays.
By Daan · Last reviewed October 2026
The short answer
December is a good time to visit Venice.
December is one of Venice’s most atmospheric months for the first three weeks, with lights over the canals and far fewer tourists than summer, before the Christmas–New Year week brings a short, sharp rise in both crowds and prices.
December in detail
What December actually feels like
- Weather
- 1–8°C
- Cold and often damp, with occasional fog
- Crowds
- Low–Moderate
- Low to moderate, rising sharply in the final week
- Prices
- €€
- Moderate — rises over the Christmas–New Year week
+Festive atmosphere + low crowds before Christmas week
–Cold, damp, with holiday-week crowds at month’s end
My tip for December
Visit before 20 December for a quiet, festive version of the city, and book early if your trip overlaps New Year’s Eve.
- Festive atmosphere
- Photography
How December compares
Against the other eleven months
5th of 12 overall in Venice, 9th for weather, 5th for space, 5th for value. The emptiest month is January; the best value is January.
See all twelve months for VenicePlan around
What’s on in Venice in December
- Acqua alta season
- High water from the lagoon can flood St Mark's Square and nearby streets, most often from October through January. Pack waterproof footwear and check the daily tide forecast if you're visiting in this window.
October–January
Not set on December?
Even stronger months in Venice
Also good in December
Weather
Weather in Venice in December
In December Venice averages a high of 8°C (46°F) and a low of 1°C (34°F), with about 50 mm of rain or snow over 6 wet days. The warmest month is July (around 29°C) and the coolest is January (around 8°C); the wettest month is May.
- Average high
- 8°C
- 46°F
- Average low
- 1°C
- 34°F
- Precipitation
- 50 mm
- Wet days
- 6
Climate data: Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale. Temperatures are averages of daily highs and lows.
Quick answers
Venice in December: the questions people ask
- Is December a good time to visit Venice?
- December is a good time to visit Venice. It ranks 5 of 12 months in Venice overall (9 for weather, 5 for space, 5 for value). The main upside: Festive atmosphere + low crowds before Christmas week. The main downside: Cold, damp, with holiday-week crowds at month’s end.
- What is the weather like in Venice in December?
- Average highs are around 8°C and lows around 1°C. Expect about 50 mm of rain or snow over roughly 6 wet days. Cold and often damp, with occasional fog. For comparison, the warmest month is July (around 29°C) and the coolest is January (around 8°C).
- Is Venice crowded in December?
- Crowds are low–moderate. Low to moderate, rising sharply in the final week. The quietest month is January.
- How expensive is Venice in December?
- Prices are at level 2 of 5 (€€). Moderate — rises over the Christmas–New Year week. The best-value month is January.
- When is the best time to visit Venice?
- In the CrowdFreeViews month scores, September is the best month overall (December ranks 5 of 12). The quietest month is January and the best value is January.
Ready to book December in Venice?
Festive atmosphere + low crowds before Christmas week
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