Hey travelers, welcome to our guide by Venice Insider Guide: this is everything you need to live like a local at the Venice Christmas Regatta 2025.
It's one of the most iconic Natale events in Venice, an event that brings together a rowing tradition, a festive atmosphere and the timeless spectacle of the Grand Canal.
Discover everything in this guide from Venice Insider Guide.
Venice Christmas Regatta 2025
The Santa Claus Water Parade lights up the city's canals with a whirlwind of colour, music and all that festive cheer.
The Venice Christmas Regatta 2025 takes place along the Grand Canal, a route that passes by famous landmarks like the Rialto Bridge, Punta della Dogana and often reaches as far as San Zaccaria, making the lagoon into a stage for lights and tradition.
The Santa Claus Water Parade and the Santa Claus Regatta turn Venice into a lively party town featuring Santa Clauses with white beards, ready to row on their two-oared mascarete, the rowing boats typical of Venetian rowing, and direct descendants of the Regatta Storica.
The traditional boats, decorated like real water sleds, parade by while the crowds wait on the edge of their seats, cheering on the finish line as they declare the best decorated boats in an atmosphere that mixes sport, history and creativity.
During this big celebration, which usually takes place on the last Sunday or first Sunday of December, the city comes alive with Christmas markets, festive stalls, hot chocolate and mulled wine stands, concerts and live music scattered between Campo San Polo, Campo Santo Stefano and the majestic Piazza San Marco, known all over the world as Saint Mark's Square or simply Mark's Square.
You can really feel the same energy that pulls people into other big events held in Venice, from the Venice Glass Week to New Year's Eve celebrations and all the cultural initiatives that bring the city to life during the winter months. It's a super popular festival that gets both locals and visitors in the mood to visit Venice in the thick of the holiday season, maybe even treating themselves to a gondola ride or a stroll to Murano to discover more of the lagoon's hidden treasures.
The Santa Claus Water Parade is a parade, a tribute to Venetian tradition, to the city's history and its connection to the sea.
The vogatori, the real stars of the day, row with passion along the canals, braving the winter weather and showing how Christmas can be celebrated on the water too. Whole groups of rowers take part in this Venetian regatta, paying homage to the technique of Venetian rowing and the vitality of a centuries-old maritime culture that has devoted itself to the lagoon.
In this one race, history, tradition and the desire to celebrate the season together all come together.
What is the Venice Christmas Regatta
The Venice Christmas Regatta is the international and best-known version outside Italy of what, in Venice, is known as the "Corteo Acqueo dei Babbi Natale" with attached Regata alla Valesana.
It's a pretty curious and interesting event, in which hundreds of rowers dress up as Father Christmas and row along the Grand Canal on traditional Venetian boats.
But is it just a race? It's a huge water spectacle that draws in fans, families, photographers and tourists from all over the world.
How does the Venice Christmas Regatta really work
The day starts with a big gathering of participants in the Salute area. They all get their mascarete in a line like a little fleet of red boats, all ready to set off.
First up is the actual race, which keeps that Venetian rowing tradition alive. And before you know it, the water parade is off and running, a lively procession that makes its way along the Grand Canal, with costumes, laughter, Christmas carols and boats all dressed up and looking like festive sleighs.
The finish line is at Rialto-Erbaria, where after music, hot chocolate and photos there are the prizes and a big send off.
Venice Christmas regatta 2025 dates
The date to stick in your calendar for the Venice Christmas regatta 2025 is Sunday 21st December 2025, and on that day the Grand Canal will once again turn into that iconic "Babylon Santa Claus" that has been a constant part of the Venice Christmas tradition for years.
Times for the Venice Christmas regatta 2025
A whole bunch of Santas, along with those traditional Venetian boats, will meet up from 10.00 and then line up in Punta della Dogana, near the Salute.
Then at 10.30 the Corteo acqueo will get going and make its way along the Grand Canal to Rialto-Erbaria - a sight not to be missed.
As for the prizes for the Venice Christmas regatta 2025 they are expected around 11.00.
Venice Christmas regatta 2025: where is it?
The whole event is centered on the Grand Canal, and the participants gather near Punta della Dogana, while the course takes the classic route towards Rialto, where the festivities of the Venice Christmas regatta 2025 come to an end under the watchful eyes of tourists and local residents leaning over the bridges.
The Santa Claus Regatta in Venice 2025: what to expect
The Santa Claus Regatta is the global version of the name and pretty quickly gives you an idea of what happens.
The Grand Canal gets turned into a water catwalk where Santas row like they just came out of the North Pole itself, but with the art of Venetian rowing.
The boats are like sleighs, the lights reflect off the high Gothic buildings, and the atmosphere feels like a Christmas movie set in the world's most enchanting city.
Description Christmas regatta of the Santas in Venice 2025
The Christmas regatta of the Santas is not just an old story: it's a proper competition. The rowers wear the classic red costume, complete with a white beard, and row along in light and agile canoes.
But beyond the competition, what really strikes you is the super-coordinated collective performance : tens and tens of Santas move together in perfect time along the Grand Canal, turning the urban landscape into a big street party on the water.
The Christmas regatta of the Santas in Venice 2025: details
The Venetian Christmas regatta 2025 starts with a gathering of all concerned around 10, before the procession sets off and reaches Rialto in the late morning.
The event is put on by the real enthusiasts of Venetian rowing , alongside the Venice City Council and the city's rowing associations.
It's an appointment in the calendar that is eagerly awaited not just by the participants but also by anyone who wants to watch it.
The history of the Venice Christmas regatta
Although it's only a relatively new event, the Venice Christmas regatta has become a tradition.
It was born out of the desire to celebrate Venetian rowing in a fun and engaging way, and to turn Christmas into an occasion to discover the lagoon from a totally new perspective.
Visit Venice Christmas Regatta
The Venic Christmas Regatta is wow!
Venice during Christmas Regatta is a chance to discover a city that brings its most genuine soul to the table alongside a splash of magic.
The Grand Canal becomes a festive stage, the palaces get transformed into the perfect backdrop and every curve of the canal offers a postcard picture.
It's an idea experience for families, couples, tradition enthusiasts, photographers or simply curious people wanting to live a Christmas that's a bit out of the ordinary.
How to get to Venice Christmas Regatta 2025
Getting to the Venice Christmas Regatta 2025 is easy: Venice is easily reached by train, stepping off at Santa Lucia station, or by parking your car in Mestre or Piazzale Roma and walking or taking a waterbus the rest of the way.
Once you are in the city you can just head towards Punta della Dogana or walk along the Grand Canal banks to pick a spot that's perfect for watching the race. The festive atmosphere will make the stroll even more enjoyable.
Faq
Do you pay to watch the Venice Christmas Regatta 2025?
No, the event is completely free and accessible from all the Grand Canal viewpoints.
Is it really cold in Venice in December?
The weather is pretty nippy, so it makes sense to dress warmly. A scarf, some gloves, and a hat are great allies for enjoying the event without a care.
How long does the Venice Christmas Regatta 2025 event last?
About an hour in total, but the city still has loads to offer in terms of festive atmosphere all day long.
Can I take part in the Venice Christmas Regatta 2025 as a tourist?
Visitor involvement is generally reserved for the rowing teams of the associations. For visitors, the best experience is watching from the banks.
Conclusion
So, the Venice Christmas Regatta 2025 is a real treat that brings together festive spirit, Venetian tradition and pure water-born beauty.
It's the perfect event to add to a December trip in the lagoon and to discover a lively, vibrant and deeply authentic Venice.
Whether you're coming from near or far, the invitation is the same: get there early, wander the city centre, let the festive atmosphere catch you out and experience the event that brings out the best of Venice's authentic soul.
Strolling around the alleys on Christmas Day, looking over the schedule to find out what's new, exploring the lagoon or enjoying a glass of wine watching the procession: these are all ways to really experience a city that keeps on enchanting time and time again during winter.
In a time when lots of people are on the search for up to date information about the best events in December, this regatta is still one of the most iconic and surprising Christmas experiences that Venice has to offer.
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