Updates for 2025 Christmas in Milan
Visit Milan at Christmastime
Milan is a great place to visit before the Christmas holidays. The streets are festively decorated, and the shop windows are more enticing than ever. Markets with handcrafted items, food, and wine from all regions of Italy and special events are going on all over the city.
Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
Dec. 6, 2025, 6 PM
Each year a giant Christmas tree is placed in the center of Milan in Piazza Duomo. The tree lighting ceremony is usually the first week of December, the week of Milan patron Saint Ambrose.
The Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Games will be the centerpiece of the city’s Christmas festivities. The spirit of the Olympic Games, immersed in the magic of Christmas, will illuminate Piazza Duomo with the Olympic Tree.
The presentation of the projects proposed by the numerous partners who participated in the “Christmas in Milan 2025” competition was held today at Palazzo Marino, thus choosing to enliven the city’s squares and streets until January 6th.
From the city center to every neighborhood, over thirty locations will shine thanks to the proposals submitted by numerous sponsors.
The Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Tree brightens Piazza Duomo.
A 29-meter-tall Norway spruce, from the woods of Dimaro Folgarida, in the province of Trento, will be lit on Saturday, December 6th at 6:00 PM in Piazza Duomo. The fir tree is decorated with 100,000 microLEDs and elegant white pearlescent spheres embellished with Olympic and Paralympic symbols and the five Olympic “vibes,” the graphic vibrations that define the look of the Milano Cortina 2026 Games. Around the tree, a Christmas village powered 100% by renewable energy from TCL, the initiative’s sponsor and Worldwide Olympic Partner. The village will be an immersive journey inspired by the five continents and dedicated to Olympic and Paralympic values, a place to tell the stories of athletes and promote the positive role of sport.
The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II lights up with the Lenovo Emotion Tree and art4sport Onlus.
The “Lenovo Emotion Tree” Christmas tree and the vault of the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II will be lit up in red, a symbol of inclusion and sharing, thanks to Lenovo with the support of the Lenovo Foundation for art4sport Onlus, founded by Paralympic champion Bebe Vio Grandis. The installation celebrates the values of solidarity and participation that the association has always promoted, combining tradition and innovation in the heart of Milan to make Christmas even more special and open to everyone.
All the Christmas trees and lights in the neighborhoods.
Numerous trees and lights will be scattered throughout the streets of Milan thanks to the support of the partners who have decided to participate in the “Christmas in Milan 2025” call for proposals. Each project in the historic center is linked to a second project in the city’s neighborhoods.
Here’s where to find Christmas trees and lights.
Christmas Trees
• Piazza Duomo (The Milano Cortina 2026 Games Tree / Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026 in collaboration with TCL)
• Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II (Emotion Tree / Lenovo)
•Piazza della Scala (Lumen Your Christmas / La Nordica – Extraflame)
•Piazza Cordusio (The Magic of Christmas / Salmoiraghi & Viganò)
•Piazza dei Mercanti (This tree doesn’t make a scene. It does research / AIRC Foundation and Banco BPM)
•Piazza San Carlo (A Christmas to write together: where every thought turns to gold / Ferrero Rocher)
•Piazza San Babila (The Beauty of Christmas / L’Oréal Paris)
•Piazzetta Umberto Giordano (The Tree of Kindness / CDI – Italian Diagnostic Center)
•Via Croce Rossa (Wish upon a Shooting Star / Xerjoff)
•Largo La Foppa (Champions of circularity / A2A Life Company)
•Piazza Venticinque Aprile (The Magic of Sport / Cisalfa Sport)
•Piazza Gae Aulenti (Portanuova PoP XMAS: Let It Glow! / Portanuova)
•Piazza Tre Torri (The Christmas Adventure / CityLife Shopping District with LEGO Italia)
• Torre Breda Public Park (Wired Together / PRYSMIAN)
• Largo Mahler (AIRC Foundation and Banco BPM)
• Via Rovereto/Via Giacosa (Salmoiraghi & Viganò)
• Piazza Remo Cantoni (Salmoiraghi & Viganò)
• Piazza Tina Modotti (L’Oréal Paris)
• Piazza Costantino (L’Oréal Paris)
Light Displays
•Corso Vittorio Emanuele II (Milano Cortina 2026 Foundation in collaboration with Lilly)
•Via Porpora (Lenovo)
•Via Giuseppe Meda (A2A Life Company)
•Via Mercanti, via Tommaso Grossi, piazza Anita Garibaldi, via Antonio Ceriani, Via Michele Saponaro (Banca Mediolanum)
•Galleria San Babila, Via Spezia (CDI – Italian Diagnostic Center)
•Via Achille Fontanelli (Cisalfa Sport)
•Via Masolino da Panicale, via Monte Generoso, piazza Prealpi (CityLife Shopping District with LEGO Italia)
•Corso Buenos Aires, Porta Venezia toll booths and viale Umbria (Enel)
•Viale Mario Rapisardi (Ferrero Rocher)
•Via Santa Rita da Cascia (La Nordica – Extraflame)
•Via Orefici and via Don Bartolomeo Grazioli (LEGO Italia)
•Via Dante, via Vallazze, via Guido Carli, via Casoretto (Netflix/Stranger Things 5)
•Viale Fulvio Testi, Viale Zara and Via Salvatore Pianell (Prysmian)
•Via Guido d’Arezzo, Via Saverio Griffini (Veralab)
•Viale Affori, Via Michelino da Besozzo (Xerjoff)
The Monte San Martino Polyptych by the Crivelli Brothers on Display in the Alessi Hall.
Until January 11, 2026, the prestigious Alessi Hall of Palazzo Marino hosts the grand Christmas exhibition. This year, visitors will be able to admire an absolute masterpiece of the Italian Renaissance: the Monte San Martino Polyptych by the brothers Carlo and Vittore Crivelli, a monumental work composed of ten panels, exceptionally reunited after centuries. As every year, admission is free, with guided tours led by art historians to uncover all the secrets of this masterpiece.
Christmas Markets
The Christmas Market in Piazza Duomo, organized in collaboration with Confcommercio, will be open until January 6 on the first stretch of Corso Vittorio Emanuele, behind the Cathedral, and on Via Carlo Maria Martini, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. This year, it features 78 illuminated wooden houses reproducing the traditional Lombard Christmas village. Crafts related to the Christmas theme and atmosphere, as well as excellent food products, will be on sale.
The Oh Bej! Oh Bej! Fair will take place, as it does every year, around the Sforza Castle and Sempione Park (Piazza Castello, Piazza del Cannone, and Via Minghetti) from Friday, December 5th to Monday, December 8th, from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm. Around 250 brightly lit white gazebos will be set up, with 45 different merchants: from local artisan products to roasted chestnuts and sweets, used books, paintings, frames, home accessories, flowers, toys, clothing, costume jewelry, and Christmas decorations.
From December 7th to 10th, the Oh Bej Market will be set up on the Cavalcavia Bussa.
The Banco di Garabombo, fair trade market organized by Giuste Terre in the parking lot on Via Mario Pagano, featuring fair trade food and non-food products from Italy and around the world, will be open until the end of the Christmas season.
Christmas in the Cloister of the Diocesan Museum, now in its twelfth year (Corso di Porta Ticinese, 95), will take place from December 13th to 14th.
The Christmas Market at Portello (Via Grosotto, 7) is open until January 6th.
This year, traditional Christmas lights will be displayed throughout the streets of Milan, in various areas of the city, courtesy of technical sponsors or merchant associations. These include: Brera, Monte Napoleone, Porta Romana, the Laghetto-Navigli and Darsena areas, Corso S. Gottardo and Via Meda – Corso Vercelli, Via Rembrandt, Via Pier della Francesca – Isola, Dergano, Bovisa, Affori – Via Lorenteggio.
“Milan lights up Christmas with a comprehensive project that unites institutions, businesses, and the local community,” said Martina Riva, Councilor for Sport, Tourism, and Youth Policies.
“The Games Tree embodies the magic of the great sporting event that is about to arrive, providing unique emotions,” concludes Nevio Devidé, Chief Revenue Officer of Milano Cortina 2026. “With Milano Cortina 2026 now upon us, this important symbol of Milanese tradition will spread an intense festive atmosphere like never before.
Magic Christmas Tour in Milan
Book a group tour up to 10 people, Magic Christmas Tour in Milan 2025, from 63 euro per person
Christmas Lights on the Naviglio
The canal district, il Naviglio, is one of Milan’s most picturesque neighborhoods. Take some time to roam around the area, stop for a drink at one of the many wine bars, or have a bite to eat at a local osteria.
Other areas to see Christmas lights and decorations: Brera, Castello, Golden Quadrilateral, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.
Christmas Markets and Food Markets in Milan
Oh bej! Oh bej! Dec. 5-8, 2025
Dec 7th is St. Ambrogio Day, the patron saint of Milan, and marks the start of the Milanese Christmas season and the Oh bej! Oh bej! Milan Christmas Festival and Market. Oh bej! means ‘how beautiful!’ in the Milanese dialect and well describes the toys, gifts, gadgets, handmade items, as well as specialty foods and wines on sale at the market. You can always find the Oh bej! Oh bej! market at Piazza Castello the week of Dec 7th.
Green Christmas Dec 13-14, 2025
At Fonderia Napoleonica Eugenia, in the Isola neighborhood, browse through clothing eco-fashion, designer eco-friendly bio-products, and bio-cosmetics. In an effort to make people aware of a philosophy of life ” zero impact “, Via Genova Giovanni Thaon Di Revel, 21, 20159 Milan, Italy – Tel.:+39 02 668 7738
Swiss Christmas Markets Day Trip from Milan
Visit the Christmas markets in Switzerland on a day trip from Milan and experience the beloved winter tradition that’s popular around Europe. Depending on your day of travel, you’ll visit a market in either Zurich, Einsiedeln, Lucerne, Montreux, Bremgarten, or Rapperwil-Jona. Travel by coach from Milan, and then enjoy free time to browse the festive stalls laden with mulled wine, Christmas trinkets, and seasonal food. Remember to bring your passport! Day trip from Milan to the Swiss Christmas markets Learn about Swiss Christmas traditions from a guide as you travel. Browse traditional wooden stalls and sip on mulled wine, if you wish Shop for Christmas food, treats, and artisan gifts at the markets Relax with hassle-free round-trip transport from central Milan
Book tickets for Swiss Christmas Markets Day Trip from Milan 2025 for 49 euro
Christmas Events in Milan, Skating Rinks, & Events for Children
Babbo Run
Saturday Dec 13, 2025
Santa Claus is known as Babbo Natale. Babbo Running is the annual non-competitive 5K run. Come dressed as Santa Claus! All proceeds support Gold for Kids, the Umberto Veronesi Foundation project dedicated to the fight against pediatric cancer.
Babbo Running is held in Rome, Milan, Brescia, Bergamo, Chioggia, Piacenza and there’s an online virutal edition too! Learn more on babborunning.it
Il Villaggio delle Meraviglie Nov. 16, 2025-Jan 6, 2025
Giardini Pubblici Indro Montanelli, Milan
Until 6 January 2026
The entire park has been transformed into a Christmas Village. Ice skating, festive lights, foods and activities for the entire family.
Christmas Gift Shopping
Golden Quadrilateral Shopping
For luxury, high-end, and refined tastes, the shops in the city center are open longer hours as well as Saturday and Sunday during the Christmas period. The Quadrilaterale della Moda, Manila’s luxury shopping district, is made up of via Montenapoleone, Via Borgospesso, Via Della Spiga, and Via Sant’ Andrea. Even if you are not a luxury shopper, it is still fabulous seeing all the creative window displays! You will find brands such as Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, Byblos, Roberto Cavalli, Versace, La Perla, Gucci, Christian Dior, and so many more.
Book a tour with an expert shopping guide in Milan.
Via Solferino, 42, Milan. It looks small from the outside, but inside is a large boutique with floor-to-ceitel. 9shelves full of bottles categorized by region. A large selection of wines for every budget. Giorgio Cotti, the owner, says, “Wine should be affordable for everyone.”
Tea Rose
Via Manzoni 27, Milan offers beautiful flower arrangements, fashion by exclusive selected designers, as well as natural beauty products. They are well known for their wedding decor.
Garden, Flower & Design for an absolutely unforgettable Christmas wreath or flower arrangement for your centerpiece at the Armani Fiori Via Manzoni 31, Milan.
Milan: Your Christmas Playground—Discover the Magic of the Holidays
Festive Lights and Christmas Markets
Throughout the city, enchanting light displays will illuminate Milan’s streets, from the historic center to outer neighborhoods. Highlights include:
- Via Broletto and Via Pistoia, adorned with festive trees and bows courtesy of Banca Investis.
- Corso Buenos Aires, decorated with rows of white lights sponsored by Enel, staying lit until January 6.
- Additional light displays are sponsored by local shopkeepers’ associations across Brera, Corso di Porta Romana, Bovisa, and more.
- Oh Bej! Oh Bej! Fair (Dec 5–8): Held near Castello Sforzesco and Parco Sempione, this traditional fair showcases 230 stands offering everything from handmade crafts to roasted chestnuts.
- Piazza Duomo Christmas Market (Dec 1–Jan 6): A charming Lombard village-style market with 78 wooden stalls selling holiday-themed items and gourmet food. Adjacent events include a life-size nativity scene, live performances, and the ‘Letters to Father Christmas’ initiative.
- Banco di Garabombo (until Jan 6): Located on Via Mario Pagano, this market promotes Italian and international artisanal and food products, earning recognition as a traditional Milanese Christmas event.
Religious and Cultural Events
Cultural Highlights: Art and History
Dec 24, 2025 Christmas Eve Midnight Mass at Il Duomo
Eucharist mass at times: 17:30 and 23:30
The Last Supper
Visit Leonardo DaVinci’s masterpiece, “The Last Supper.” Historical Milan walking tour and Skip the Line priority tickets.
Discover Milan’s must-see attractions on this comprehensive small group walking tour. Your half-day walking tour includes skip-the-line viewing of Leonardo da Vinci’s famous painting ‘The Last Supper’.
Looking for more ideas? Contact us
We do our best to provide accurate information, be sure to check with venues for opening times and any variations.
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