Venice museums open over the holidays: extended hours and exhibitions to see

Venice museums open over the holidays

During the Christmas period Venice maintains a broad cultural offering: several civic museums and institutions extend their opening hours and present temporary exhibitions and special programs for locals and tourists.

Opening hours and special schedules

Civic Museums remain accessible daily through January 9, with selected venues extending hours on weekends:

• Palazzo Ducale: regular visiting hours; on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays it stays open until 23:00 (last admission at 22:00).
• Museo Correr: first floor generally open 11:00–17:00; evening openings until 23:00 on specified days.
• Ca' Pesaro – International Gallery of Modern Art: typical hours 11:00–17:00.
• Ca' Rezzonico – 18th-century Venice Museum: usually open 11:00–17:00.
• Casa di Carlo Goldoni, Lace Museum (Burano), Glass Museum (Murano), Palazzo Mocenigo, Natural History Museum: comparable visiting windows around mid-morning to late afternoon.

Note on state-run museums: many close on December 25 and January 1; some sites operate on limited schedules—check individual institutions for exceptions.

Featured exhibitions and highlights

• Venetia 1600 (Palazzo Ducale): a selection of major works spanning Venice’s artistic legacy, including paintings by Carpaccio, Titian, Veronese, Tiepolo, Canaletto and Guardi.
• Due mesi di carta (Ca' Pesaro, project room): student works from the Academy of Fine Arts exploring the theme "Paper house."
• Punta della Dogana: Bruce Nauman exhibition (ticketing and access may be limited).
• Palazzo Grassi: the "HyperVenezia" exhibition project—consult the calendar for openings and closures.
• Fondazione Querini Stampalia and Fondazione Cini: temporary shows and guided itineraries, often requiring booking.

Practical tips for visitors

• Book in advance: online booking is required or advised for many venues, especially where access is limited.
• Verify schedules: holiday timetables change—always check museum websites before you go.
• Last admission: observe last-entry times (usually indicated and often an hour before closing).
• Plan transport: allow extra time for travel across the lagoon to islands like Murano and Burano.

For the latest updates on opening hours, ticketing and guided visits, consult the official websites of the museums and foundations involved.