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Milan in December 2025

December in Milan blends Christmas sparkle with quiet elegance. Stroll illuminated streets, browse artisanal markets, and warm up with creamy risotto. The holiday calendar hums with concerts and opera, including La Scala's prestigious premiere. Short daylight hours? Use them wisely—security opens early at museums, and Duomo access may close for weather.

Milan in December 2025 at a glance

🌧️ Weather

Average highs 7 °C / 45 °F; cold with chance of sleet or snow.

☀️ Daylight

9 h; sunrise around 7:45 am, sunset by 4:45 pm.

🎉 Key events

La Scala Premiere, "Oh Bej! Oh Bej!" market, Christmas concerts.

👥 Crowds

Low to moderate; rises near holidays and sales.

🛋️ What to pack

Wool coat, thermal layers, scarf, gloves, waterproof boots.

🍽️ Seasonal treats

Panettone, vin brûlé, tortellini in brodo.

Top things to do in Milan in December

Browse the Christmas markets

  • When: Dec 1–24
  • Tags: Family-friendly, Seasonal
  • Milan's most beloved market, "Oh Bej! Oh Bej!", wraps around Castello Sforzesco with wooden stalls, crafts, roasted chestnuts, and sweets. Visit early in the day to avoid weekend crush and dress warmly for lingering comfortably.

Attend La Scala’s Season Premiere

  • When: Dec 7
  • Tags: Cultural experience, Tour, Seasonal
  • The season's grand opening at Teatro alla Scala is Milan's cultural highlight. Bookings are essential—tickets sell out months in advance. Even without entry, soak up the buzz outside the historic theater on Piazza della Scala.

Recommended experiences:

  • Skip-the-Line Entry & Guided Tour of La Scala Theatre
Explore La Scala Theater tickets & tours

Tour the Duomo & rooftop (weather permitting)

  • When: Early morning or mid-afternoon
  • Tags: Cultural experience, Tour
  • December light gives the marble façade a magical glow. Check if the rooftop terrace is open—closures happen due to ice. Buy timed tickets in advance and bring gloves for cold railings.

Recommended experiences:

  • Milan Duomo Full Complex Skip-the-Line Tickets with Terrace Access
  • Milan Cathedral Terrace Access Tickets
Explore Duomo Milan tickets & tours

Try festive Milanese cuisine

  • When: All month
  • Tags: Foodie, Seasonal
  • December menus feature rich risottos, polenta, and tortellini in brodo. For dessert, panettone rules. Pair it with vin brûlé at local bakeries or winter aperitivos at Navigli's cozy bars.

See The Last Supper fresco

  • When: Timed slots, closed Dec 25
  • Tags: Tour, Cultural experience
  • Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece requires advance booking, especially in winter when slots are fewer. Dress warm—you may queue outside briefly. Entry includes a timed 15-minute visit.

Recommended experiences:

  • Da Vinci's Last Supper Skip-the-Line Guided Tour
  • Milan Cathedral, City Center and Last Supper Guided Tour
Explore The Last Supper tickets & tours

Wander the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

  • When: All day (shops open late in December)
  • Tags: Shopping, Indoors
  • Beneath its glass dome, Milan’s 19th-century arcade dazzles with holiday decor. Window-shop luxury brands or pause at cafes with seasonal pastries. Warm, elegant, and festive without braving the cold.

Visit the Sforza Castle museums

  • When: Midweek for fewer crowds
  • Tags: Cultural experience, Family-friendly
  • Escape the cold in this former fortress housing Renaissance art, musical instruments, and ancient relics. Highlights include Michelangelo’s unfinished Pietà Rondanini. Free entry every first Sunday.

Recommended experiences:

  • Tickets to Sforza Castle & Rondanini's Pieta with Audio Guide
Browse all Sforza Castle tickets & tours

Catch a ballet or opera at La Scala

  • When: Check December listings
  • Tags: Cultural experience, Tour
  • Beyond opening night, La Scala offers holiday performances like Christmas concerts or ballet. Book early for evening shows. Dress codes apply—smart attire recommended.

Offbeat experiences in December

Explore the Quadrilatero d’Oro by night

Luxury streets lit in golden lights Fashion's heart glows brightest in December. Stroll Via Montenapoleone and Via della Spiga after dusk to see haute-couture storefronts framed in festive light displays.
📍Where: Quadrilatero della Moda

Warm up at Bagni Misteriosi

Heated winter spa & culture space This 1930s pool complex transforms into a cozy winter garden with sauna, performances, and seasonal drinks. Some outdoor events continue in mild evenings.
📍Where: Via Carlo Botta 18

Climb Torre Branca for winter views

Panoramas above the park Clear December days offer crisp skyline views from this 108-meter tower. Dress for wind chill. Avoid early sunset queues by visiting just after lunch.
📍Where: Parco Sempione

Browse modern art in a former factory

Industrial-chic museum time Pirelli HangarBicocca's massive halls host contemporary installations far from the crowds. December's shows offer a break from seasonal kitsch.
📍Where: Via Chiese 2

Step inside Milan's old tram depot

Vintage rides & transit history ATM’s Transit Museum showcases restored trams in a charmingly frozen-in-time depot. Great for transport buffs or families with kids.
📍Where: Via Teodosio 65

Stroll Brera's cobbled lanes

Art, aperitivo, and quiet charm Brera's boutiques and galleries twinkle under string lights. Pick a heated terrace for evening aperitivo and people-watching.
📍Where: Brera District

Festivals and events in Milan this December 2025

La Scala Premiere

  • Dates: 7 Dec 2025
  • Event type: Cultural Event
  • Location: Teatro alla Scala, Piazza della Scala
  • The grand season opener draws Milan's elite. Tickets sell fast—book by October. Expect red carpets, press, and full formalwear.

"Oh Bej! Oh Bej!" Market

  • Dates: 7–10 Dec 2025
  • Event type: Cultural Festival
  • Location: Piazza Castello (near Cairoli M1)
  • Milan’s oldest Christmas market features artisans, sweets, toys, and festive street food. Go weekday mornings to avoid crowds.

Concerto di Natale

  • Dates: [TBC]
  • Event type: Concert
  • Location: Teatro alla Scala
  • Classical holiday concert in a legendary venue. Check listings by November for confirmed performers and dates.

Turandot. Cuore di ghiaccio (Children's Opera)

  • Dates: [TBC]
  • Event type: Opera
  • Location: Teatro alla Scala
  • Family-friendly opera experience tailored for young audiences. Seats go fast—book early for matinees.

Christmas Markets

  • Dates: 18 Nov 2025 – 7 Jan 2026
  • Event type: Seasonal Market
  • Location: Piazza Duomo, Piazza Castello, others
  • Wooden stalls, mulled wine, ornaments, and artisan gifts fill Milan’s central squares. Piazza Duomo's giant tree is a selfie magnet.

Immaculate Conception Day

  • Dates: 8 Dec 2025
  • Event type: Religious Holiday
  • Location: Citywide
  • National holiday—expect closures at offices and some shops. Galleria and Duomo remain open, but crowds spike.

Christmas Day & Boxing Day

  • Dates: 25–26 Dec 2025
  • Event type: Public Holiday
  • Location: Citywide
  • Many museums and restaurants close. Duomo and Last Supper closed Dec 25. Check holiday hours in advance.

Petite messe solennelle

  • Dates: [TBC]
  • Event type: Concert
  • Location: Teatro alla Scala
  • Rossini's festive mass in concert format. Ideal for classical fans seeking a seasonal yet spiritual experience.

Highlights for different traveller types

Couples

  • Enjoy rooftop aperitivos at Navigli wrapped in scarves, then wander Brera’s cobbled alleys under string lights.
  • Cozy trattorias make for romantic, lingering meals.
  • Dress up for a holiday performance at La Scala—a glamorous Milan winter tradition.
  • Stroll illuminated Via della Spiga for late-night designer window-shopping and cafe stops.

Families with kids

  • Ride restored trams at the Transit Museum, then snack at a nearby bakery.
  • Catch the child-friendly Turandot opera at La Scala for a festive intro to classical music.
  • Visit Christmas markets with sweets, toys, and gentle crowds in early morning slots.

Culture vultures

  • Book advance access to The Last Supper and Sforza Castle’s Pietà Rondanini.
  • Check listings for Rossini's Petite messe solennelle and seasonal exhibitions.
  • Visit HangarBicocca for edgy winter art in a converted factory.

Shopaholics

  • Find artisan gifts at the "Oh Bej! Oh Bej!" market.
  • Browse Galleria's boutiques amid grand decor, or hit Via Montenapoleone for luxury winterwear.
  • Post-Christmas sales begin Dec 26—arrive early to snag designer deals.

Your perfect 3-day Milan in December itinerary

  • Breakfast: Start at Pavè with pistachio croissants and a macchiato.
  • Morning: Visit the Duomo and, weather permitting, climb to the rooftop for city views.
  • Midday: Tour the Galleria for photos, shops, and warmth.
  • Lunch: Eat risotto alla Milanese at Ristorante Savini.
  • Afternoon: View The Last Supper (book in advance).
  • Evening: Aperitivo in Brera and dinner near Piazza della Scala.
  • Breakfast: Grab coffee and panettone at Marchesi 1824.
  • Morning: Explore Sforza Castle’s museums and Michelangelo’s Pietà Rondanini.
  • Midday: Warm up with tortellini in brodo at Trattoria Milanese.
  • Afternoon: Browse Christmas markets near Castello Sforzesco.
  • Evening: Dress up for a La Scala performance or Christmas concert.
  • Breakfast: Espresso and cornetto at a Navigli cafe.
  • Morning: Tram to Pirelli HangarBicocca for modern art.
  • Midday: Climb Torre Branca for panoramic city views.
  • Lunch: Casual bite at Eataly Milano Smeraldo.
  • Afternoon: Visit the Transit Museum or walk in Parco Sempione.
  • Evening: Toast your trip with vin brûlé along the Navigli.

Best day trips from Milan in December

Bergamo

🚆 Travel time: ~1 h by train

Wander cobbled Città Alta under festive lights. The funicular, medieval walls, and panoramic views offer wintry charm. Warm up in pasticcerias with polenta e osei.

Lake Como (Como town)

🚆 Travel time: ~45 min by train

The lakeside town twinkles with Christmas markets and light shows. Less crowded than summer. Boats run limited schedules—stick to town walks.

Monza

🚆 Travel time: ~15 min by train

Visit the Royal Villa and stroll its landscaped park, Italy’s largest walled green space. Quiet and refreshing on crisp winter mornings.

Go shopping in Milan in December

  • When: Dec 7–10
  • Where: Piazza Castello
  • This historic Christmas market brims with artisan gifts, roasted chestnuts, and festive cheer. Expect handmade toys, vintage books, and Milanese crafts. Go weekday mornings for fewer crowds and better browsing weather.
  • When: Year-round
  • Where: Between Piazza Duomo and Teatro alla Scala
  • Luxury labels, elegant cafes, and grand holiday decor make this 19th-century arcade feel like a palace. In December, shops stay open later and the central dome dazzles with lights.
  • When: Nov 18 – Jan 7
  • Where: Piazza Duomo
  • Beneath Milan’s iconic cathedral, dozens of wooden chalets sell ornaments, Italian sweets, and hot drinks. The massive Christmas tree and festive vibe make it perfect for evening shopping.

Pro tips for visiting Milan in December

  1. Book Duomo rooftop tickets 2–3 days ahead and check weather—ice can close it.

  1. Last Supper slots are limited. Book 2+ weeks early.

  1. Shops may close early Dec 24 and remain shut Dec 25–26. Plan your shopping.

  1. ATM metro runs on holiday schedule Dec 25–26—check the app for wait times.

  1. Bring layers: buildings are well-heated, but trams and streets are chilly.

  1. Carry cash for small stalls at Christmas markets—not all take cards.

  1. Skip early dinners—most restaurants open after 7:30 pm.

  1. Book La Scala shows by October if you want opening week seats.

  1. Watch your bags around Piazza Duomo—holiday crowds attract pickpockets.

Frequently asked questions about visiting Milan in December

Is Milan cold in December?

Yes. Average highs are around 7 °C / 45 °F, with lows near 0 °C / 32 °F. Snow or sleet is possible.

Are the Christmas markets open all month?

Most run until Dec 24, but Piazza Duomo’s stalls continue to early January. Check hours for each location.

What should I wear in Milan in December?

Pack a wool coat, waterproof boots, thermal layers, scarf, hat, and gloves. Indoors is heated, so dress in layers.

Do museums close for Christmas?

Yes, many are shut Dec 25. Double-check hours for Dec 24 and 26, which may be shortened.

Is La Scala open to the public in December?

Yes. Besides the Dec 7 premiere, it hosts ballets and concerts. Book tickets early.

Can I still visit the Duomo rooftop in winter?

Only if conditions allow. Ice may force closures—check updates the day before.

Are restaurants open during Christmas?

Some close Dec 25, others offer special menus. Book in advance for Dec 24–26.

Do locals celebrate Christmas?

Yes—expect nativity displays, family gatherings, and a quieter city on the 25th.

Is it safe to walk around at night?

Yes, central Milan is safe. Stay alert near major sights and markets—pickpocketing can increase in crowds.

What are good gifts to buy?

Panettone, Milanese scarves, artisan ornaments, or Italian skincare from local pharmacies.