In the shadow of the great Christmas Tree in St. Mark's Square the notes of the Christmas Concert in the Basilica. Which the Cappella Marciana interpreted masterfully, taking the city and its spectators back to a Christmas vespers of a few centuries ago. When, and listening to the concert it seemed as if we could still see them, the Doge and the entire Serenissima entered in solemn procession to San Marco. To attend the religious rite and listen to the songs of what was once, as we read in the notes to the concert program, "a palatine chapel and not an exquisitely religious reality".
Whose story "it is truly very ancient, so much so that it can be made to coincide with the history of the building itself”. This is confirmed by the program notes, which always inform us, by the registration “on the mosaic of the right choir which commemorates the reception of the body of Saint Mark by the clergy, the Doge and the people..." with "…sweet praises and songs…attributable precisely to the singing activity".
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day: Events at the Basilica
Spirituality and mysticism will return, in different and decidedly more contemporary ways, during the Christmas celebrations. They will begin this evening, December 24th, the eve of Christmas, in St. Mark's Basilica, with readings and the Christmas Eve Mass presided over by the Patriarch of Venice, Francesco Moraglia. On Christmas Day, the solemn Mass will be at 10:00 a.m. and will be broadcast live on Antenna 3 (channel 10) and on the Facebook page of the diocesan weekly Gente Veneta. Second Vespers will be at 5:00 p.m. And since 2025 is a Jubilee Year, the celebrations at the Patriarchate of Venice will conclude on Saturday, December 27th, beginning at 4:00 p.m.
So far, the Christmas religious ceremonies have always drawn Venetians and tourists to the splendor of St. Mark's Basilica. To attend the sacred rites and enjoy an extraordinary setting, a privilege few other places of worship can offer the faithful. Not far away, in Piazzetta San Marco, stands the Christmas Tree, entirely in keeping with tradition. It ablaze with lights, as do the porticoes of the Procuratie Vecchie. Not only are the lights illuminating the entire square, but also 12 innovative Murano chandeliers. In an open-air exhibition, they recount the ancient tradition of Murano glassmaking, creatively interpreted by contemporary artists and designers. It will remain in place until March 1, 2026.
The lagoon city reveals its Christmassy charm to the tourists who have chosen Venice as their destination for the holidays. With a bit of fog (rare in recent years), a grayness so typical of the winter lagoon, a few glimmers of sunshine, and a bit of rain. And since there aren't many "outsiders" these days, it's a wonderful opportunity to visit well-known and lesser-known places in a city where a discovery can be found around every corner. Where architecture from centuries so different and so distant interacts in a rare yet so present balance in Venice.
Go to museums, exhibitions and galleries, following the slow rhythms of Christmas
These slow, festive days can be a good opportunity to visit museums and galleries, and the permanent and temporary exhibitions that are certainly abundant in the lagoon city. From the Palazzo Ducale to the Museo Correr, Ca' Pesaro and Palazzo Mocenigo, Ca' Rezzonico and Palazzo Fortuny, and Casa Goldoni. On the islands, the Glass Museum in Murano and the Lace Museum in Burano. And then there's the Guggenheim Collection, Palazzo Grassi and Punta della Dogana, the Palazzo Cini Gallery, and the Giorgio Cini Foundation on San Giorgio, where exhibitions dedicated to Casanova, whose 300th birthday was celebrated this year, are still open. And let's not forget the charm of the Querini Stampalia Foundation, with its prestigious House Museum and the recently opened exhibition. Life is beautiful in Venice.
As 2025 is slipping away, like a sunset on the horizon of the lagoon, Venice is preparing to welcome the arrival of the new year which will open with one of its most prestigious events: the New Year's Concert of the La Fenice Theatre.
