A week prior to Christmas, on December 17th, a spectacle unfolded in Venice as a hundred Santas arrived in gondolas, transforming the Grand Canal into a vibrant sea of red, infusing the city with joy and enchantment.

Venice hosts over 120 regattas annually, seizing any occasion or significant date as a cue for a gondola race. Among these, the Christmas Regatta stands out, a tradition upheld for over a decade. Here, participants, spanning men, women, and children, adorned their gondolas with festive themes, eager to claim victory.

Embarking from St. Mark’s Square and culminating at the Rialto Bridge, the event is accompanied by spirited celebrations honoring both winners and participants. Concurrently, the Dedomrazova Race unfolds on land, where a thousand individuals masquerade as Santa Claus, navigating the city’s narrow streets in a spirited race.