06 Dic
The best Christmas Markets in Milan
Christmas markets are one of the most popular aspects of the holiday season. The lights, the wooden houses, the scent of sweets and mulled wine warm the air and even the coldest heart.
Widespread in many cities in northern Italy, the opening of the Christmas Markets marks the beginning of the advent. They are in fact one of the most evocative places to start the gift hunt. In the markets, you will find Christmas decorations, regional gastronomic or craft products, souvenirs and small gift items.
But also fast catering that offers mulled wine, sandwiches, sausages, and sweets typical of Italian and European tradition.
Christmas in Milan, the best things to visit
1. Christmas Market Artigiano in Fiera
Where: Rho Fair
When: first week of December from 10.00 to 22.30 (free admission)
This fair is an unmissable opportunity to get around the world through international craftsmanship. More than 3000 stands of artisans from all regions of Italy and from all continents await you.
Why we love it: to get around the whole world in one day.
2. Oh Bej! Oh Bej! fair
Where: Piazza del Castello in Milan
When: first week of December from 8:30 to 21:00 (free admission)
The oldest Christmas market in Milan, until 2005 took place around the central square of Sant’Ambrogio and in the adjacent streets. With over 370 exhibitors, you will find secondhand dealers, florists, artisans, wrought iron masters and booksellers.
Among the delicacies of the Ambrosian tradition, you will find pancakes, roasted chestnuts, cotton candy, corncobs and the inevitable firunatt (smoked chestnut steaks typical of the Milanese tradition).
Why we love it: it is the forefather of Milan’s markets, how can we not love it?
3. The Christmas Markets in Piazza Duomo
Where: Piazza Duomo
When: from December to the 6 January from 9:00 to 21:30
The square behind the Duomo, between Corso Vittorio Emanuele II and Via Arcivescovado, houses a hundred wooden houses where you can find Christmas decorations, delicacies and Italian regional gastronomic products.
Why we love it: The market also contributes to the restoration of the spiers of the Cathedral.
4. Christmas Market Green Christmas
Where: Napoleonic Foundry (Isola district)
When: Second weekend of December from 10.00 to 19.00
In the heart of the old Isola district, two days of stalls and events dedicated to a sustainable and ecological Christmas. You will find eco-fashion clothing, bio-ecological design items and natural cosmetic products with workshops and conferences that promote a “zero impact” lifestyle.
Why we love it: besides being green, the flea market is located in the evocative Napoleonic Eugenia Foundry, (where the bells of San Marco in Venice and the gates of the Duomo of Milan have been shaped).
5. Banco di Garabondo – Fairtrade Milan Christmas market
Where: M1 (red line) Pagano
When: December till January 6
Historic Christmas tent of fair trade and the largest Italian social economy in Europe organized since 1997 in Milan. The largest temporary store in Europe of 100% good, beautiful, fair and sustainable products: over 2000 original, ethical and sustainable references, proposals and gift ideas, which come from all over Italy and from the South of the world.
Why we love it: you’ll find over 2000 original, ethical and sustainable gift ideas, which come from all over Italy and from the South of the world.
6. Villaggio delle meraviglie
Where: Giardino Indro Montanelli, Porta Venezia district
When: from 9 December to 6 January 2019 from 9:00 to 21:30
Not only a Christmas market, at the Giardini Pubblici Indro Montanelli you will find a covered and heated ice rink, Santa Claus house, entertainment, music and workshops, miniature nativity scene, and a huge Christmas tree carousel of over twenty meters high.
Why we love it: the perfect place where feeling like a little kid on Christmas Morning!
7. Winter at Bagni Misteriosi Christmas market
Where: Porta Romana district, Bagni Misteriosi, Via Carlo Botta, 18
When: last weekend of November till second weekend of January
The Mysterious Baths (Bagni Misteriosi) host a small winter hut in the heart of Porta Romana district. Christmas markets signed Wunder Mrkt, Flug Market and Popcorn Garage Market (each week-end until December 22nd), games, ice shows and creative ice-skating courses, workshops for adults and children (from December 23rd until January 3rd), meetings and philosophical coffee dates.
Why we love it: the atmosphere here is simply whimsical. Ice skating rink on a pool, do we need to say more?
What is Tombola? The italian game for Christmas