Venice at Christmas?
 

I am booking a trip to Italy at Christmas, since I have kids in school and no other good options. We are scheduled to arrive at the Venice airport mid day 12/24, and then leave by train 12/26. I realize museums will be closed, but am wondering about other aspects of the city. Will transportation be available, or much decreased on Christmas day? Will any shops or restaurants be open? Is the day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day I think, also likely to have many things closed? What about train travel on 12/26?

Any suggestions of activities in Venice? We are particularly interested in classical music.
Thanks, Rebecca

Christmas is a wonderful time to be in Venice. Some restaurants will be closed, but many, many are open, so I wouldn't worry about that at all.

The Accademia museum will be closed Christmas Day, but open the 24th and 26th. The Guggenheim will be closed on the 24th (only because the 24th falls on a Tuesday this year) and the 25th, but will be open on the 26th.

For a calendar of musical events, go to www.musicinvenice.com There are usually lots of concerts going on, particularly in the church of San Vitale. You might want to check out La Fenice as well for concerts, although it will not be opera season. The tour of La Fenice is wonderful, it might be interesting for you given your interest in classical music.

The last few years, there has been an ice skating rink in Campo San Polo along with some regional food stands set up. This might be fun for your kids. I don't know the ages of your children, but if they are fairly young, they might enjoy the amusement park set up on the Riva dei 7 Martiri, close to the Giardini vaporetto stop. And what a view from there!

Oh and public transportation is in full swing, barring any strikes of course.

Thanks so much cicchettigirl!
My daughter is 13, my son 16, and my niece 17, and are all excellent musicians (violin and harp) and also fond of ice skating. I feel much better confirming our plans.
Rebecca

I'm glad you feel better, actually Venice at Christmas is a very popular time.

I think your kids would love the La Fenice tour, it really is an exquisite jewell box of a theater. They would probably enjoy the Rialto market, but this is something that you would need to do on the 24th or Christmas morning. On the 26th, it is deserted as it pretty much shuts down for Santo Stefano.