German For me, few things bring the magic of the season to life like wandering through a Christmas market under twinkling lights. Across Italy’s Veneto region, Christmas markets showcase handcrafted goods and regional delicacies – they bring communities together and welcome visitors into the holiday spirit. While every market has its charm, we have selected 10 of our favorites as a wonderful way to embrace the season in winter 2025/26. (Remember to wrap up – it’s cold out there!)
Verona: Weihnachtszauber und historische Highlights
Verona’s iconic Stella Cometa (shooting star) sculpture next to the Roman Arena brings a festive glow to Piazza BH. Verona’s Christmas market captures the city’s romantic spirit amid Roman and medieval backdrops. From 21 November to 28 December 2025, over 60 wooden chalets fill Piazza dei Signori (and nearby Piazza Bra) in collaboration with Nuremberg’s famous Christkindlmarkt. You’ll find ornaments, handcrafted gifts in wood, glass and ceramics, and plenty of local treats – including Pandoro (Verona’s soft golden Christmas cake) and pastine de fregoloti almond cookies – all paired with mulled wine or even a glass of rich Amarone wine. Appena arrivati in città sarà la grande Stella di Natale in Piazza Bra ad accogliervi – a towering white steel comet star sculpture arcing from the Arena, one of Verona’s beloved holiday symbols.
Be sure to visit the Presepi dal Mondo exhibition, showcasing over 400 nativity scenes from around the world. This Guinness-record-holding display is hosted near the Arena (at Palazzo della Gran Guardia) from 16 November 2025 to 18 January 2026, all beneath the sweeping Stella Cometa. Verona also celebrates the ancient tradition of Santa Lucia: on the night of 12 December, children leave coffee, carrots and wine out for Santa Lucia’s visit, and awaken on the 13th to find sweets and gifts. Between the glowing markets, the star-lit Arena, and festive concerts in the streets, Verona offers a charming blend of holiday cheer and historic sights that won’t disappoint.
Padua: Holiday Traditions in the City of St. Anthony
Padua (Padua) glows with heartfelt tradition during the holidays. From early December through Epiphany (roughly 7 December 2025 to 6 January 2026), the city’s historic center fills with Christmas villages and markets. Stroll under glittering lights past the grand 15-meter Christmas tree by the Palazzo Moroni (City Hall), and follow the scent of sweets to Piazza Eremitani, where a Lapland-themed Santa’s Village opens on 8 December. Here you’ll find Santa’s house surrounded by wooden chalets selling artisanal gifts, local products, and delicious treats. Children ride an old-fashioned carousel and marvel at Santa’s sleigh, while parents warm up with a cup of Branntwein or Padua’s own Vov (a creamy egg liqueur invented here). Nearby, Piazza Capitaniato hosts an Artisans Market (Natale Artigiano) from 7 December to 7 January, featuring over 50 craftspeople selling ceramics, woodwork, leather goods, handmade soaps and more – often accompanied by live music and kids’ workshops.
One of Padua’s highlights is the enormous ice rink in Prato della Valle – one of Europe’s largest squares – which this year doubles in size to a 600 m² skating loop amid the square’s statues and Christmas lights. Whether you’re sipping hot chocolate under the porticos or taking a nighttime ride on the Christmas train through the illuminated streets, Padua offers a warm and friendly holiday atmosphere in the scholarly city of Saint Anthony.
Vicenza: Yuletide Splendor in Palladian Streets
Vicenza’s elegant Renaissance center takes on a magical glow during the holidays. Starting in late December, the streets around Piazza delle Biade und Piazza San Lorenzo become a Christmas village lined with over 30 wooden chalets. From 2 December 2025 until 8 January 2026, these markets bring lights, decorations and the aromas of the season into every corner of Vicenza’s historic heart. Strolling the Corso Palladio under sparkling lights, you’ll find stalls selling artisanal gifts, cozy winter accessories, and local culinary specialties.
Don’t miss tasting baccalà alla vicentina (creamed salt cod) or a sip of Torcolato dessert wine as you browse. Weekends are especially festive: street performers, buskers, and carolers animate the piazzas with music and shows for all ages. The scene is made even more enchanting by Vicenza’s backdrop of Palladian architecture – the Basilica Palladiana and Palazzo del Monte di Pietà don elegant lighting, merging Christmas ambiance with the city’s refined beauty. In Vicenza, the Christmas market experience perfectly blends tradition with the city’s artistic heritage, making it an event not to miss.
Bassano del Grappa: Festivities by the Iconic Alpine Bridge
The medieval town of Bassano del Grappa offers a storybook Christmas setting at the foot of the Alps. Von 22 November until 28 December 2025, Bassano’s central Piazza Garibaldi und Piazza Libertà are transformed into a lively Christmas market. Under the gaze of the town’s famous wooden Ponte Vecchio (Alpini Bridge), dozens of stalls sell traditional decorations, handmade toys, and local products from the Veneto mountains.
Bassano is renowned for its grappa liqueur, and you can sample warming shots of infused grappa or a hot Parampampoli (a spiced coffee drink set aflame) as you wander the market. On weekends, a little Lilliputian train chugs through the illuminated streets, delighting visitors with rides around the old town center. The air is filled with the scent of roasted chestnuts and zelten fruitcake, while Alpine choruses often perform near the Christmas tree. Bassano’s holiday celebrations also emphasize community – this year’s program features charity initiatives and interactive activities for families. With its backdrop of snow-dusted hills and the Brenta River, Bassano del Grappa provides a picturesque and heartwarming Christmas experience.
Asiago: Alpiner Zauber in einem Winterwunderland
Asiago’s mountain charm shines at its Giardini di Natale market, set in this alpine town on the Asiago Plateau. From 8 November 2025 to 6 January 2026, the town’s Piazza Carli, Piazza II Risorgimento, and Piazza Duomo are filled with dozens of wooden huts, turning Asiago into a real-life winter village.
Early in the season (the weeks before Advent), Asiago’s Christmas market is open on weekends only, then from 6 December it opens daily through Epiphany. The local craftsmen offer everything from hand-carved wooden ornaments and blown-glass baubles to cozy wool accessories and scented candles. This is also a foodie’s paradise: you can savor mountain specialties like creamy polenta with melted Asiago cheese or grilled alpine sausage panini, followed by sweet treats such as apple strudel and buttery zaletti cornmeal cookies.
Belluno: A Dolomite Christmas at Piazza dei Martiri
Nestled in the Dolomite foothills, the city of Belluno offers an authentic Christmas market with alpine flair. Starting in late November and running through 6 January, Belluno’s Piazza dei Martiri becomes a hub of holiday cheer. Wooden chalets fill the square with an array of artisanal products: wool and wood handicrafts, delicate glass ornaments, and plenty of edible delights from all over Veneto.
Local mountain products are a highlight – think Piave DOP cheese, wildflower honey, and festive breads. The aroma of vin brulé and grilled sausages wafts through the crisp air, and on weekends the market features live entertainment: bands playing Christmas tunes, street performers, and games for children. Belluno also sets up an ice skating rink each year in Piazza Duomo, so you can take a spin on the ice with the illuminated bell towers and snowy peaks in view.
Bardolino: Festlichkeiten am Gardasee
Bardolino, on the shores of Lake Garda, turns into a sparkling lakeside wonderland for the holidays. From 22 November 2025 to 6 January 2026, the lakefront promenades and town squares host the Bardolino Christmas Event (Natale a Bardolino). Around 40 wooden stalls are set up along Lungolago Cornicello and in Parco Carrara Bottagisio, offering high-quality local products – from regional food specialties and wines to handmade Christmas decor.
Amid the scent of roasting chestnuts and Garda olive oil focaccia, you can shop for lake-area delicacies like olive paté, citrus liqueurs, and colorful blown-glass ornaments. Bardolino adds extra fun with its attractions: in the lakeside park you’ll find an ice skating rink on the water (even larger this year), a 30-meter Ferris wheel overlooking the lake, and Santa’s interactive 3D sleigh ride cinema.
A mini Christmas train chugs through the streets, and Piazza del Porto features a nostalgic carousel for kids and – starting 6 December – even an underwater nativity scene visible in the harbor’s clear waters. The whole town is aglow with lights reflecting on the lake, and Bardolino’s historic churches host an exhibition of nativity scenes from around the world. On New Year’s Eve, join locals by the water for a musical celebration and midnight fireworks over the lake. For the truly brave, there’s even a traditional New Year’s Day tuffo (dive) into the chilly Garda waters to welcome the year! Bardolino’s mix of lake scenery and festive fun makes it a must-visit Christmas market with a unique twist.
Venice (Mestre): Holiday Lights in the Serenissima
Venedig and its mainland counterpart Mestre offer two distinct but complementary Christmas experiences. In Mestre, the heart of the festivities is the Mercatino Natalizio di Piazza Ferretto, running daily from 21 November to 28 December 2025. Here, colourful wooden huts line the square, brimming with artisan gifts, seasonal decorations, and regional delicacies, all enveloped in the scent of cinnamon and mulled wine. The market continues along Via Allegri until 6 January 2026, providing ample time for last-minute shopping and leisurely browsing. Both markets are open every day from 10:00 to 20:00, inviting visitors to wander, taste, and find unique presents while enjoying the lively holiday atmosphere.
Across the lagoon, Venice’s historic centre adds a touch of tradition with its renowned Mercatino dell’Antiquariato in Campo San Maurizio, open from 5 to 7 December 2025. This long-standing antiques market features exhibitors from all over Italy, offering rare and curious pieces dating from the seventeenth to the twentieth century. The wooden stalls—unchanged since the market’s founding in 1970—house everything from fine collectibles to charming curiosities. For those venturing further, Christmas events and smaller markets can also be found on the islands of Murano and Burano, each bringing their own local character to the season. Venice in December is less crowded than in high season, with the markets offering a special chance to savour festive cheer amid some of Italy’s most evocative settings..
Jesolo: Küstenfeste am Meer
Jesolo’s Christmas Village transforms the main avenue connecting Piazza Mazzini and Piazza Aurora into a festive paradise from 28 November 2025 to 6 January 2026. More than 70 decorated chalets line the route, offering artisan crafts, regional food and wine specialities, and plenty of surprises for visitors of all ages. The two main squares form the heart of the celebrations: Piazza Mazzini features children’s attractions, games, and a lively ice skating rink, while Piazza Aurora becomes the home of Santa Claus and his elves, with concerts, performances, and festive shows throughout the season.
The village is open daily, with extended hours on holidays and weekends, and food stalls keep serving until late, making it easy to soak up the atmosphere after dark. A highlight for many is Jesolo On Ice, with the rink open every day and offering ample time for families and friends to enjoy skating by the sea.
Another unmissable feature is the renowned Jesolo Sand Nativity, on display from 29 November 2025 to 8 February 2026. This year’s edition is inspired by St Francis’ Canticle of the Creatures, blending themes of interreligious dialogue and environmental stewardship, and featuring works by an international cast of sand artists. Among the installations is a tactile sculpture designed to be explored by touch, making the exhibition accessible and engaging for all. The Sand Nativity has also raised over €1.1 million for global humanitarian projects since its inception in 2004.
Jesolo rounds off the season with concerts, gospel shows, family events, and even a New Year’s Eve comedy performance. A free shuttle service operates during the holidays, allowing visitors to enjoy the festivities without the need to drive. All in all, Jesolo’s Christmas Village offers a lively and inclusive festive experience, combining seaside charm with a rich calendar of events and activities.
Each of these Veneto Christmas markets, from the mountains to the sea, brings its own special flavor to the holiday season. Whether you’re browsing for gifts under Verona’s ancient arches or skating by the shores of Lake Garda, you’re sure to feel the warmth and wonder of Christmas in Veneto. Buone Feste – Happy Holidays!
Weitere Informationen erhalten Sie auf der offizielle Website des Veneto-Tourismus.
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