Christmas in Milan is pure elegance wrapped in festive sparkle. The city lights up with designer window displays, glittering streets, and warm markets that blend Italian tradition with cosmopolitan flair.
Stand before the glittering Christmas tree at Milan’s grand cathedral and soak in the festive spirit. Attend a Christmas Eve or Christmas Day mass for a soulful experience amid centuries of history.
Recommended tickets: Milan Cathedral, Museum & Terraces Tickets
Held near Sforza Castle, this beloved market overflows with handmade gifts, ornaments, and traditional Milanese treats. Wander through colorful stalls, sip mulled wine, and discover why this centuries-old fair remains the city’s favorite holiday tradition. Find on Map
Feel the magic of the season at Milan’s legendary opera house. Whether it’s a festive symphony or a classic ballet, a night at La Scala adds timeless elegance to your Christmas in the fashion capital of Italy. Find on Map
Beneath its dazzling glass dome and sparkling tree, the Galleria comes alive during Christmas. Enjoy a coffee at a historic café, browse designer boutiques, and admire how Milan blends festive warmth with effortless sophistication. Find on map
Glide across the ice surrounded by Milan’s skyline and glittering holiday decor. These open-air rinks bring a joyful, family-friendly vibe to the city, perfect for warming up winter days with laughter, music, and lights.
Go ice skating at these famous rinks:
Nobody can say no to good food, especially when it's at the best restaurants in Milan. Get your group together, wear loose pants and dive into lip-smacking Italian delicacies on Christmas day. After all, Christmas always calls for a huge feast, right?
What and where to eat in Milan during Christmas:
One thing you can never go wrong with in Milan is fashion. It is one of the four fashion capitals of the world, where you will find luxurious Italian and world-renowned brands. Treat yourself this Christmas with a visit to these stores, dress up for the festival, and feel your stunning self.
Visit these stores at Ponte Vecchio:
Got a little bit of a sweet tooth? Don't forget to indulge in some Italian desserts during Christmas and treat your taste buds. Milan's bakeries are famous for their sweet delicacies with recipes that have been consistent for years. And what better time to enjoy them than Christmas?
Visit these bakeries in Milan:
Italy has many renowned museums visited by people all over the world. Milan, being the capital city, is home to many such museums. While they are closed on Christmas Day, you can still visit them on other days around 25th December and learn more about arts and culture.
Recommended tickets: Pinacoteca di Brera Entry Tickets
Morning: Start at Piazza del Duomo to soak in the festive atmosphere and shop for souvenirs at nearby stalls.
Afternoon: Visit Sforza Castle and the Oh Bej! Oh Bej! market for crafts and local snacks.
Evening: Attend the Christmas Eve mass at the Duomo, followed by dinner at a cozy restaurant serving seasonal dishes like ossobuco and risotto alla milanese.
Recommended tickets: Sforza Castle & Rondanini's Pieta Tickets
Morning: Begin with a leisurely breakfast and stroll through Brera’s quiet streets.
Afternoon: Visit Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and enjoy a festive lunch at Ristorante Savini.
Evening: End your day with a Christmas concert or a walk through Darsena to admire the city lights reflected on the canal.
Christmas is a really special time to visit Milan as the whole city celebrates the festival in a grand way. The streets are sparkling with lights and decorations, and there are local Christmas markets at every public square that sell festive goodies.
Christmas is a public holiday in Milan. Most places and restaurants are shut on Christmas Day. But you can go to the Duomo Cathedral to attend Midnight Mass, along with other churches in the city.
Yes! Milan has several Christmas markets, the most famous being the Oh Bej! Oh Bej! Market near Sforza Castle. It’s a festive Milanese tradition filled with handmade crafts, ornaments, and delicious winter treats.
Most restaurants in Milan close on Christmas Day, but a few stay open with special festive menus. You’ll find options in major hotels and upscale spots like Ristorante Cracco or Savini Milano 1867 in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. Reservations are strongly recommended.
San Babila, Brera, Porta Nuova, Porta Venezia and Isola are the best places to stay in Milan on Christmas. They have the best restaurants, celebrations and attractions in the city.
All parts of the city are lit up with decorative lights during Christmas. Via della Spiga, Via Dante, Via dei Mercanti and Via Monte Napoleone are some areas in Milan that you should visit.
Milan has many Christmas traditions like Christmas markets, decorating the city with lights, setting up a giant Christmas tree at Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, organising an annual fair called Oh Bej Oh Bej and making the best Italian desserts at bakeries.
Yes, with a Milan City Card you get discounted access to many attractions, as well as unlimited public transport—perfect for holiday sightseeing.
Milan’s Hop-on Hop-off bus tours are a convenient way to explore the city’s festive sights, including illuminated streets, markets, and iconic landmarks.
The fashion capital transforms into a glowing runway of lights, from the Duomo to Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, where every corner feels like a holiday postcard.
Find luxury gifts and artisan crafts in one stroll. Explore boutiques in Quadrilatero d’Oro and browse traditional markets at Piazza Duomo and Castello Sforzesco.
Attend Christmas concerts at Teatro alla Scala or the Duomo, where classical music fills the grand halls with timeless warmth.
Taste the city’s iconic panettone, sip mulled wine, and try winter specialties at cozy trattorias and elegant cafes.
Stroll through Corso Vittorio Emanuele II and Brera’s cobblestone streets to see Milan at its most photogenic, illuminated in holiday gold.
