VISITS TO MUSEUMS AND BUILDINGS
To plan your visit to the city, you can download the schedule with the opening hours of museums, buildings, and palaces during the Christmas season. The tourist office, located at Piazza Matteotti 12, is open daily from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm (closed only on December 25 and January 1), as is the information point in the Basilica Palladiana from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, Tuesday to Sunday.
Special holiday openings confirmed for the Teatro Olimpico and Civic Museums: December 8 and 26, 2025, and January 6, 2026.
>>Immaculate Conception Long Weekend, December 6th - 8th : OPENING HOURS SCHEDULE
>> December 24th - January 6th : OPENING HOURS SCHEDULE
THE EXHIBITIONS
Holiday Exhibitions
Christmas also invites you to immerse yourself in art. Vicenza therefore invites you to visit the exhibitions held in the city's Civic Museums.
From December 20, 2025, to February 22, 2026, the Hall of the Basilica Palladiana will once again be a true stage space, hosting "Olimpichetto. The Return of an Ambassador."
At the heart of the exhibition is the reconstruction of the sets and perspectives of the Teatro Olimpico, created in Vicenza in 1948 for the world tour of Sophocles' Oedipus Rex, in the historic production by director Guido Salvini. Olimpichetto is a wood, canvas, and plaster reproduction of the Teatro Olimpico's front stages and streets of Thebes. Slightly smaller than the original, it was designed from the outset to be dismantled, transported, and reassembled.
Entrance:
• free for residents of Vicenza and the province
• included in the monument ticket for non-residents: full €6; reduced €4
Opening hours: Tuesday–Sunday, 10:00–18:00 (last admission 30 minutes before closing)
Special openings:
• December 26, 2025, 10:00–18:00
• January 1, 2026, 15:00–20:00
• January 5 and 6, 2026, 10:00–18:00
• January 19, 2026, 10:00–18:00
Information www.mostreinbasilica.it
Until February 15, 2026, the GALLERIE D'ITALIA - VICENZA hosts the exhibition Cristina Mittermeier. The Great Wisdom , in collaboration with National Geographic. The exhibition celebrates the work of the great Mexican photographer, with images of high emotional and scenographic impact, reflecting on highly topical environmental issues. Cristina Mittermeier has traveled the world as a photographer, marine biologist, and activist, documenting the beauty of our planet and the diverse cultures and traditions of its inhabitants. Her work recounts the ancient knowledge of cultures around the world and their relationship with our ecosystem. She offers us evidence of traditions, rituals, and knowledge passed down from generation to generation, inviting us to reflect on a "great wisdom" and formulating the concept of enoughness. The photographer proposes the idea of enoughness as a way of thinking about our place in the global ecosystem. Enoughness encourages a deeper understanding of how our existence in the world and our daily choices impact the planet and the climate. Enoughness arises from the recognition and appreciation of what we already have and what we already are.
Open Tuesday to Sunday 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, closed Monday.
GUIDED WALKS IN THE CITY - in ITALIAN LANGUAGE
Guided walks through the historic center of Vicenza, a masterpiece of a city, are scheduled for the following dates:
Saturday , December 13 and 20
Boxing Day Weekend: December 26, 27, 28
This approximately two-hour tour explores the historic center of Vicenza, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, through the most important buildings designed by Andrea Palladio during the 16th century. Starting with the Teatro Olimpico and Palazzo Chiericati, the tour will pass through some of the most characteristic streets of the "city of palaces," recounting the history, art, and stories of the most important Palladian residences and the finest creations of the Venetian Gothic period. The tour concludes in Piazza dei Signori, the vibrant hub of Vicenza society, both past and present. The cost is €12 per person, while children under 12 are free. Payment is due upon arrival.
THE LIGHTS... "Gold and Stars" in Piazza dei Signori: video mapping and the cascade of lights are back!
More than 200 events will liven up Christmas 2025 in the city and its neighborhoods, officially kicking off in Piazza dei Signori on Friday, November 28th at 6:30 pm.
After the Christmas tree lights have been turned on, accompanied by carols from over 100 schoolchildren, and greetings from Mayor Giacomo Possamai and Councilor for Major Events Leone Zilio, a preview of the new video mapping show, Faber Aura , has been be presented . It will illuminate the monuments in Piazza dei Signori until January 6th.
Faber Aura returns with a story dedicated to "Gold and the Stars," the myth of gold and its profound connection to Vicenza.
The narrative, through high-definition projections that unfold on the façades of the Basilica Palladiana, the Loggia del Capitaniato, Palazzo del Monte di Pietà, Torre Bissara, and Palazzo degli Uffici, will highlight the local goldsmith tradition, the architectural legacy of Andrea Palladio, and the city's historical heritage. Palladio's voice will guide viewers on a journey that combines digital innovation and culture, with a message of harmony and peace. This initiative celebrates the beauty, identity, and creativity of Vicenza.
This year, Piazza San Lorenzo will transform into a veritable village where Santa Claus awaits children to receive their letters and take a souvenir photo. The market will also be set up in Piazza Biade, bathed in the customary cascade of lights. Afterwards, visitors will reach Piazza dei Signori, walking along Corso Palladio, where Christmas music will be piped in to accompany their stroll through the city center during the holidays. The Christmas Notes, selected by the BABC and Altrovi associations, will be played from afternoon until evening, Monday through Friday, and from morning on Saturday and Sunday.
The natural tree in Piazza dei Signori will be approximately 15 meters tall and decorated with warm LED lights. Other Christmas trees can be admired in the courtyard of Palazzo Trissino and in the Bertoliana Library.
This year, the traditional cascades of lights will return by popular demand from the Bissara Tower in Piazza dei Signori and will also be set up, as per tradition, in Piazza delle Erbe, Corte dei Bissari, Piazza Biade, Piazza Matteotti, Piazza Castello, Piazza San Lorenzo, and Piazzale De Gasperi.
Selfie lovers will have a light globe at their disposal to capture Christmas photos.
Decorations will be installed along the streets, in green spaces, and at roundabouts, all the way to the outskirts of the historic center. Illuminated crossings will also be decorated, and ground installations will be installed, thanks to the collaboration of Aim Energy and City Green Light.
Starting in the late afternoon of November 28th, you can find markets with wooden chalets in Piazza San Lorenzo and Piazza Biade, themed markets on weekends, and then musical, theatrical, and cultural events, exhibitions, traveling shows, and many other activities that will engage children and families.
The markets
The traditional markets with wooden chalets, from November 28th to January 4th, will be in Piazza San Lorenzo and Piazza Biade, offering typical holiday products, creative crafts, and many gift ideas.
The markets in the historic centre will be open from Monday to Thursday from 10am to 7pm,
on Fridays, Saturdays and the days before public holidays from 10am to 9pm,
on Sundays from 10am to 8pm,
on 25 December and 1 January from 11am to 8pm.
The program includes entertainment and workshops for all ages, live music, busking performances, choirs, and dance on weekends (program on Viva, Facebook, and Instagram Christmas in Vicenza).
There are also numerous themed markets that will populate the historic center during the holidays.
And then Natale Incontrà (November 29 and 30) at AB23 and in the church of Santa Maria Nova with Come Un Incantesimo as part of the Porta Nova Incontra' event; Campagna Amica in Città (November 30) by Coldiretti in Piazza dei Signori and Corte dei Bissai; Mercato della Terra (November 30 and December 28) at the fruit and vegetable market with Slow Food and OrtoVi;
the Tritone association proposes Piazza dei Tesori (December 6, 7, 8 and 19, 20, 21, 22) and Flavors of the Holidays (December 27, 28); the Pandora association in Piazza Castello offers Hand Merry Christmas (December 13, 20, 21).
Merry Illustri returns to the Loggia del Capitaniato on December 13 and 14, a charity illustration market exhibition organized by the Illustri association.
Unico , the Christmas-themed handmade market in Piazza dei Signori, returns for three exceptional days (December 6, 7, and 8); then there's the Antiques Market throughout the historic center on December 14, and finally the Epiphany Market from January 4 to 6.
The "Polar Park" ice rink.
Guaranteed fun for everyone at the covered ice rink in the Campo Marzo exedra. It will be larger, featuring tracks covering a total area of over 1,000 square meters: the largest mobile covered rink in the Northeast . The initiative is supported by Agsm Aim.
It will be inaugurated on Saturday, November 29th at 5:30 pm (the first 30 people will be entitled to free admission) and will be open from November 29th to December 19th and from January 7th to 18th, from Monday to Thursday from 3:30 pm to 10 pm, on Friday from 3:30 pm to 11 pm, on Saturday from 10 am to 11 pm, on Sunday from 10 am to 10 pm.
From December 20th to January 6th, the rink will be open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. (last admission one hour before closing). People with disabilities who arrive with a companion will be able to skate in a special wheelchair, available free of charge. Santa Claus will be at the rink on Sunday, December 21st .
And many other surprise events are planned for the following days. A sweets stall is available during the rink's opening hours.
New Year's Eve
This year, New Year's Eve in Vicenza will be celebrated throughout the historic center thanks to the collaboration of local venues that will liven up the evening of December 31st.
The night leading into the new year can be spent, as is tradition, at the Teatro Comunale in Vicenza at the OTO – Orchestra del Teatro Olimpico's New Year's Eve Grand Concert . The theme is "Music in Film": original soundtracks written for famous films, as well as great works from the classical repertoire included by directors in their films. Conducted by maestro Alessandro Mazzocchetti and featuring soprano Giulia Bolcato, the Orchestra del Teatro Olimpico creates a spectacular evening with musical selections from Indiana Jones, Cinema Paradiso, Star Wars, Apocalypse Now, Breakfast at Tiffany's, Out of Africa, Life is Beautiful, and many other titles. Monica Bassi will host.
At the Spazio Bixio Theater, Theama Teatro will offer an evening of entertainment and lightheartedness.
On New Year's Day, Fabio Missaggia's I Musicali Affecti Orchestra will perform in the New Year's Eve concert in the Church of San Pietro.
The "Antico carosello 1921" horse-drawn carousel.
In Largo Zileri (along Corso Palladio), children can enjoy the horse-drawn carousel, Wednesday to Friday from 4 pm to 7 pm, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from 11 am to 12:30 pm and from 3 pm to 7 pm. From Wednesday, December 17, 2025, to Sunday, January 11, 2026, the carousel will be open every day, Monday to Friday, from 4 pm to 7 pm, and Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from 11 am to 12:30 pm and from 3 pm to 7 pm. The activity will continue until February 17, 2026.
The "Eco Express" tourist train
follows a picturesque route past Palladian monuments and palaces, a sustainable and enjoyable way to rediscover Vicenza in its festive glory. It departs and arrives in Largo Zileri, along Corso Palladio. The train runs on November 29 and 30, December 6, 7, 8, December 13 and 14, and daily from Saturday, December 20, 2025, to Tuesday, January 6, 2026: weekdays from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM and from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM. It will then resume its activity during Carnival.
ONLINE CALENDAR
The calendar of Christmas events can also be consulted on your mobile phone by connecting to the Viva Comune di Vicenza events calendar
WHERE TO PARK?
It is advisable to choose one of the numerous barrier-type car parks near the pedestrian area (parking map) or one of the two convenient park-and-ride car parks.
TOURIST BUSES -> Please note that Viale Roma and Viale dell'Ippodromo are affected by construction works until December 31.
Tourist bus parking: via Pfhorzheim, via dello stadio (reserved spaces at the end of the avenue), viale X giugno.
PHOTO GALLERY
