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Italy in December

Berignone Nature Reserve

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Christmas Markets in Milan 2025

The capital of Italian fashion transforms in winter, adorned with twinkling lights, streets infused with the aroma of roasted chestnuts and tangerines, and cozy Christmas markets scattered throughout the city, each offering its own unique character. In 2025, Milan’s Christmas markets promise to be even more impressive, blending centuries-old traditions with modern entertainment.

Table of Contents

Christmas Market at Piazza Duomo

Dates: December 1, 2025 – January 6, 2026
Opening hours: Daily 8:30 AM to 10:00 PM
Location: Piazza del Duomo, Milan
How to get there: Duomo metro station (M1 red line or M3 yellow line)

Milan’s main Christmas market is situated in the heart of the city at the magnificent Piazza del Duomo, where the majestic Gothic cathedral serves as a stunning backdrop for holiday celebrations. Over 60 wooden chalets create a magical labyrinth of Christmas cheer around the famous cathedral.

This market is celebrated for its remarkable variety of offerings, featuring unique handmade Christmas decorations, traditional Italian sweets, local delicacies, and original gifts. Special attention should be given to culinary delights, including traditional panettone, robust Italian cheeses from Lombardy, Cremona nougat torrone, and southern Italian confections. Don’t miss the Tyrolean delicacies, particularly their famous pretzels and assorted candied fruits.

A highlight of the market is a towering 15-meter Christmas tree, adorned with thousands of lights that create an unparalleled holiday atmosphere. For children, there’s a charming “Santa’s House,” where little ones can meet Santa Claus and share their cherished wishes.

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Traditional “Oh Bej! Oh Bej!” Fair

Dates: December 4 – December 7, 2025
Opening hours: Daily 8:30 AM to 9:00 PM
Location: Piazza del Cannone, near Sforza Castle
How to get there: Cairoli metro station (M1 red line) or Lanza (M2 green line)

The “Oh Bej! Oh Bej!” fair is a living piece of Milan’s history, with roots that trace back to 1510. The name comes from the exclamation of Milanese children, “O bej! O bej!” (meaning “Oh beautiful! Oh beautiful!”) upon seeing the gifts brought by papal envoy Giannetto Castiglione on the day of Saint Ambrose, Milan’s patron saint.

This historic fair takes place in the picturesque setting of the magnificent Sforza Castle and is characterized by its authentic atmosphere. Antiques, books, vintage items, and traditional handicrafts are the main attractions. Particularly popular are the famous Milanese chestnut beads known as “firun,” a traditional delicacy sold strung on thread.

Gastronomic delights include roasted chestnuts, homemade panettone, warming mulled wine (“vin brulé”), and other seasonal delicacies. The atmosphere is infused with folk traditions and local flavor, making this fair a favorite among native Milanese.

Christmas Markets in Milan

Village of Wonders (Villaggio delle Meraviglie)

Dates: November 16, 2025 – January 6, 2026
Opening Hours:

Main Area: Monday-Friday 11:00 AM-8:00 PM, Weekends and Holidays 10:30 AM-8:30 PM
Ice Rink: Daily 10:00 AM-9:00 PM (last entry 8:30 PM)
Santa’s House: Weekdays 3:00 PM-6:30 PM; Weekends 10:30 AM-12:30 PM and 2:30 PM-6:30 PM

Location: Indro Montanelli Gardens (Giardini Indro Montanelli), Porta Venezia
How to Get There: Palestro or Porta Venezia metro stations (M1 red line), Repubblica or Turati (M3 yellow line)
Admission: Free entry; attractions and ice rink are paid

The Village of Wonders is a true outdoor Christmas amusement park that has been delighting Milanese families since 2008. Located in the historic Montanelli Gardens, this winter fairy tale offers numerous attractions for all ages.

The main highlight is one of Northern Italy’s largest ice rinks, covering over 1,000 m², with both covered and open areas. For younger skaters, special “penguins” are available to assist beginners.

Santa’s House operates until December 25, after which Mama Natale takes over, and on January 6, the traditional Italian Befana arrives. Attractions include the “Santa’s Sleigh” carousel, “Crazy Flying Sleighs,” “Penguin Catching,” “Journey to the North Pole,” and “Glacier Climbing.”

The village also features a Christmas market with unique gifts, food outlets serving traditional holiday treats, workshops for children, and various entertainment programs.

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French Christmas Market PoP XMAS

Dates: November 30, 2025 – January 6, 2026
Location: Piazza Gae Aulenti, Porta Nuova District
How to Get There: Garibaldi metro station (M2 green and M5 purple lines)

For the second consecutive year, the modern Porta Nuova district hosts the innovative PoP XMAS Christmas project, blending tradition with innovation. The centerpiece is a 13-meter interactive Christmas tree featuring five immersive rooms, which can be booked through the Portanuova Milano app.

The French market showcases traditional French handicrafts, including jewelry, soap, perfumes, Provençal tablecloths, and other gift items. The gastronomic section features baked goods, macarons, crepes, candies, chocolates, chestnuts, and mulled wine. The French aperitif zone offers a special touch with oysters and champagne.

Interactive installations include:

Santa’s House: A cozy living room for digital souvenir photos
Sleigh Adventure: A simulator for descending a snowy slope
Find Your Gift: An interactive experience for youth featuring QR codes and social media filters.
Exchange Christmas Values: Three light trees that respond to visitor participation.

Christmas Markets in Milan

Banco di Garabombo Eco-Market

Dates: November 2, 2025 – January 6, 2026
Opening Hours: Daily from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Location: Square at Via Mario Pagano
How to Get There: Pagano metro station (M1 red line), buses 67 and 85.

For those who appreciate environmentally friendly and ethical shopping, this market offers sustainable food products, cosmetics, and handicrafts with low environmental impact. You will find accessories, ethical fashion items, natural cosmetics, home goods, and books for all ages.

A special feature of the market is its diverse international cuisine, offering everything from Italian delicacies to couscous and Medjul dates. Every evening at 7:00 PM, the ènostra cooperative hosts an aperitif event, supplying only renewable electricity.

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“Trame di Luce” Illumination

Dates: November 18, 2025 – January 7, 2026
Location: Royal Gardens of Villa Reale in Monza
Opening Hours: 5:30 PM to 11:00 PM, with tours every half hour.
Tickets: Starting at 19 euros (discounts available for children, students, and seniors).

This enchanting light show transforms the historic gardens into an open-air contemporary art gallery, featuring installations by artists from around the world.

Craftsmen’s Fairs in Rho

Dates: December 6 – 14, 2025
Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Location: Fiera di Rho Exhibition Complex
Admission: Free (pre-registration required on the website).

This international exhibition showcases craftsmen from Italy and beyond, offering unique handmade Christmas gifts and culinary delicacies from various regions.

Christmas Markets in Milan

Practical Tips for Visiting

Transportation and Getting Around

Metro: The most convenient way to reach most markets. A day pass costs 7 euros.
Trams and Buses: Complement the metro and are especially useful for traveling between nearby locations.
Walking: Many markets are within walking distance of each other in the city center.

Best Time to Visit

Weekday Mornings: Fewer crowds and a calmer atmosphere for taking photos.
Weekend Evenings: Maximum holiday ambiance, though more visitors are expected.
December 7-8: Particularly festive due to the celebrations of Saint Ambrose and the Immaculate Conception.

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Practical Recommendations

Clothing: December in Milan can be cool (32-59°F / 0-15°C), so dress in layers. Be sure to wear waterproof shoes and bring an umbrella.

Money: While many vendors accept cards, it’s advisable to carry cash for small purchases, particularly at traditional markets.

Food and Drinks: Don’t miss out on panettone, mulled wine, roasted chestnuts, and other seasonal treats. Many markets also offer high-quality street food.

Photography: The best time for photos is during the “blue hour” right after sunset when the holiday lights come on.

Accommodation in the City

For the utmost convenience, it’s advisable to stay in central Milan:

Duomo district: Perfect for accessing the main market
Brera: A stylish area near Sforza Castle
Porta Nuova: A modern district that appeals to innovation
enthusiasts
Porta Venezia: Conveniently located for visiting the Village of Wonders

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