Experience a dream New Year's Eve 2025 in Venice! Here you will find 7 extraordinary ideas to make your evening exciting and magic.
New Year’s Eve in Venice is a spectacular event, a unique experience born from the combination of the city’s stunning scenery and the elegance of the celebrations, together they create an irresistible blend of culture, beauty and entertainment. Combining tradition with the magical atmosphere that only Venice can offer, the city unveils all its charm, enchanting those who choose to spend an exciting New Year’s Eve 2025 here.
Celebrating New Year’s Eve in Venice naturally includes sampling the various local culinary specialties. Venetian cuisine is truly delightful, blending flavors of the sea with products of the land, enriched by historical influences from trade with the Mediterranean and the Orient.
What to do for New Year’s Eve in Venice 2025
So, how can you spend an unforgettable evening? And if you want to, where can you savor Venetian dishes? Here, Visit Italy offers you a variety of choices: book a New Year's Eve dinner at an exclusive restaurant, or head to one of Venice's bars for traditional but more rustic and affordable food. Experience a dinner cruise on the lagoon, a gondola ride, a concert at the Teatro La Fenice, a masked New Year's Eve ball in a historic palace, or the spectacular fireworks display in St. Marc Square.
7. Celebration in St. Mark’s Square
The big celebration is, of course, in St. Marc Square, which represents the beating heart of New Year’s Eve celebrations in Venice. Starting in the evening, the square fills with thousands of people who eagerly await the countdown, listening to music and the much-anticipated fireworks.
When midnight strikes, the entire sky above the lagoon is filled with fireworks that reflect on the water and the ancient floor of the square, enveloping the majestic Basilica of St. Marc and the imposing Campanile in a golden light.
From midnight onward, the square will be enlivened by the Love2025 party sealed by the kisses that all the lovers in the square will exchange at the same time as the new year dawns. This will be followed by music and entertainment until morning.
This could be the perfect choice if you love celebrating New Year’s Eve outdoors in Venice, in a vibrant and convivial atmosphere, toasting to the new year surrounded by the crowd and exchanging wishes and kisses, even with strangers.
Whether you are with friends, family, or your loved one, this will be a New Year’s Eve you will remember for a lifetime.
6. Gondola Ride
A gondola ride on New Year’s Eve in Venice is another wonderful opportunity to admire the fireworks display from the waters of the lagoon a truly romantic choice.
Imagine gliding gently over the calm waters, wrapped in the magic of New Year’s Eve, aboard an elegant gondola, with the city’s lights reflecting like jewels on the surface.
As the gondolier guides you through the silent canals and beneath the bridges, the distant chime of midnight bells and the first bursts of fireworks accompany you, creating a one of a kind atmosphere.
The city of Venice appears before you in all its stunning beauty, showcasing the profile of Basilica of St. Marc, the majestic Rialto Bridge, and the lights of the fireworks reflecting on the sea.
A bottle of sparkling wine is popped by the gondolier, and two glasses are offered for a toast. A unique emotion, what more could you need?
5. Concert at the Theatre
If you prefer to attend an indoor performance, we suggest the “New Year’s Concert” at the famous Teatro La Fenice in Venice, one of the most fascinating and prestigious theaters in the world.
Surrounded by the elegance of its majestic interior, with its golden ceiling and intricate architectural details, you will witness a wonderful performance that celebrates the magic of the new year.
Internationally renowned conductors and extraordinary soloists will take turns on stage, offering a repertoire that ranges from classical music to modern compositions, all under the enchantment of Venetian history and tradition. The only thing you need to pay attention to is purchasing your tickets in advance online before you depart.
4. Dinner at a Restaurant
Many restaurants in Venice offer New Year’s Eve dinners, and some include live music or performances to accompany the evening. However, a New Year’s Eve dinner in a Venetian restaurant is much more than just a meal; it’s a gastronomic journey that will let you discover the best dishes of the local cuisine, prepared with fresh, high-quality ingredients and accompanied by fine wines from the best cellars.
The menu, designed to celebrate the magic of New Year’s Eve, offers a selection of typical dishes such as squid ink risotto, Venetian-style liver, and exquisite desserts like pandoro and panettone, all served with a touch of class.
Of course, it is advisable to book your dinner in advance, before you depart, as demand is very high. You will surely find many beautiful venues near St. Marc Square and on Giudecca Island.
3. Evening in a bacaro
If, however, you prefer a more informal New Year's Eve in Venice, you can spend the evening in the bacari, the typical Venetian bars, tasting cicchetti, small appetizers, and a good glass of wine or a spritz.
We suggest you move from one bacari to another, if you want, to live an authentic and convivial experience, in fact the bacari are particularly full of people before midnight, with many people preparing for the celebrations and then heading towards St. Marc Square for the countdown.
After midnight, if you are still hungry or want to continue celebrating, you can return to the bacari that remain open, but keep in mind that the offer of cicchetti will be more limited. Searching the internet you will find historic bacari known for preparing creative cicchetti.
2. New Year’s Eve Cruise on the Lagoon
Imagine slowly cruising through the calm canals and reaching a favorite spot in the lagoon to admire the fireworks display—wouldn't that be wonderful? With a private boat, you’ll have the luxury of avoiding the crowds and enjoying an intimate, romantic moment, far from the chaos. You won’t need to worry about a thing: the experienced captain will guide you through the most picturesque canals.
Additionally, a private boat gives you the opportunity to fully customize your experience. You can choose the duration of the tour, enjoy dinner on board or a selection of drinks, and perhaps even listen to your favorite music.
This is the perfect way to create unforgettable memories with your loved ones, offering a privileged New Year’s experience in Venice.
Aboard a private boat in the Venetian lagoon, New Year’s Eve will never be so special!
1. Masquerade Ball
Venice is famous for its masquerade balls, and some of the city's beautiful historic palaces host exclusive events for New Year’s Eve, featuring a grand dinner, live music, and dancing in period costumes.
In Venetian tradition, the mask represents freedom and anonymity. You can wear a refined mask, choosing from different styles, and immerse yourself in an evening full of fun and surprises.
Attending a masquerade ball on New Year’s Eve means fully embracing the charm, elegance, and mystery that define Venice’s culture.
The masquerade ball will be an immersive experience, allowing you to experience the magic of St. Marc Square, its historic palaces, and canals in an extraordinary setting. With your evening gown and mask, you'll dance while toasting to the new year.
These elegant events also take place in Venice's most prestigious hotels, with others organized by event planning companies.
Useful tips for New Year's Eve in Venice 2025
- Arrive Early: Book your restaurant or event well in advance, as Venice is one of the most popular destinations for New Year’s Eve. Regardless of your chosen venue, the best spots of the city fill up quickly, so plan to arrive at least an hour before the festivities begin.
- Dress Appropriately: Bring elegant attire for gala events and warm clothing for outdoor celebrations. New Year’s Eve in Venice can be quite chilly, so wear heavy clothing, a scarf, gloves, and a hat.
- Plan Your Transport: Organize your travel arrangements carefully. After the fireworks, vaporettos may be extremely crowded, so consider staying near your chosen celebration area until late at night.
- Buy a Pass: If you are staying for a few days in the city, we recommend buying a tourist pass like Venice Pass that includes attractions and transportation. There is always a lot of buzz during the holidays and getting a single ticket first that allows access to everything is really a smart move!
