Milan comes alive during the festive season with a plethora of Christmas markets and villages scattered throughout the city.
Each market exudes its own unique charm, offering an array of goods, culinary delights, and entertainment to captivate both the little ones and adults too.
The city hosts several charming Christmas markets that add to the festive spirit of the city.
Here’s a list of some notable Christmas markets in Milan to get you in the festive mood.
What's inside?
Mercatino di Natale in Piazza Duomo
Date: Early December to early January
Location: Piazza Duomo (Cathedral Square), the central square of Milan
Nestled in the heart of the city, this market showcases a vibrant array of stalls offering traditional handicrafts, holiday decorations, artisanal products, and delectable seasonal treats. The backdrop of the magnificent Duomo Cathedral adds to the market’s magical atmosphere.
Oh Bej! Oh Bej! in Piazza Sant’Ambrogio
Date: December 7th
Location: Around the Sforza Castle area and Sempione Park
This historical market has been a Milanese tradition for centuries, dating back to the Middle Ages. It offers a wide array of stalls selling crafts, toys, sweets, decorations, and various gifts.
It’s named after the joyful exclamation (“Oh Bej! Oh Bej!”) that the Milanese children would shout in delight at the sight of the gifts brought to the city by Giannetto Castiglioni, envoy of Pope Pius IV, in 1510.
Artigiano in Fiera (Crafts Fair)
Date: Early December (typically runs for about 10 days).
Location: Fiera Milano exhibition center (Rho).
A massive fair featuring artisans from Italy and around the world, exhibiting a diverse range of handcrafted goods. You can find unique items such as jewellery, clothing, home decor, gourmet foods, and much more, making it an ideal place for Christmas shopping.
Il Villaggio delle Meraviglie – Christmas Village
Date: November 18th to January 7th, 2023
Location: Porta Venezia Gardens
The Village of Wonders is back, the Christmas village with attractions, rides and a special skating rink at the Indro Montanelli Gardens.
Every time you enter the large, bright entrance portal of the Porta Venezia Gardens, you will enter the magic and warmth of Christmas.
Following the lights and decorations of the paths, be moved by everything that surrounds you: the warm lights, the tall trees, the ice rink, the Christmas music and the events that take place every day within the Village.
The Magic of Christmas (Village)
Date: November 18th to December 7th, 2023
Location: Carroponte, Sesto San Giovanni
25 thousand square meters of location full of magic, lights and enchantment. You will find the village of the Elves, the Toy Factory, the village post office where you can write the letter for Santa, and a two-storey horse carousel.
Also present is an inevitable Santa Claus House where he plans his travels, and prepares every year to set out to distribute joy to millions of children around the world.
Within this Christmas town there will also be magic shows, soap bubble shows, gospel choirs, balletsand musicals, as well as a Christmas market and a chocolate shop-restaurant.
Please note that the dates and specifics of these markets may vary each year, so it’s advisable to check local event listings and official websites for updated information and any potential changes in schedules or locations before planning your visit to these activities during the holiday season.
