Italy lights up for the Christmas season with some of the best Christmas Markets on offer in Europe, combining Mediterranean flavours and German traditions, festive food and wine, gift ideas, decorations, and local handicraft.
(in alphabetical order!)
Aosta
The recipe for the “Marché Vert Noël,” one of the Alps’ most renowned Christmas markets, owes its success to its setting. Nestled within the heart of Aosta, this vibrant alpine village is awash with music and lights. It comes to life with winding roads, picturesque squares, charming bridges, rustic wooden chalets, and a genuine fir forest. Visitors can wander through the “streets” of this charming village, either in search of a special gift or simply to admire the traditional craftsmanship on display.
Open from November 23, 2024, to January 6, 2025, except for 2 pm openings on December 25th and January 1st.
Bologna
The Santa Lucia market unfolds at the Portico dei Servi, nestled beside the Church of Santa Maria dei Servi in the heart of Bologna’s city centre. This location features an open area graced by lofty marble columns. The time-honoured fair is a celebration of Christmas, featuring an array of stalls brimming with decorations for Christmas trees, nativity scenes, gourmet delights, and other festive delicacies.
Open from November 9, 2024, to December 27, 2024.
Bolzano
Bolzano hosts South Tyrol’s largest Christmas market, situated in Waltherplatz square, which is a breath-taking display of lights. The historical Old Town surrounding the square is also a magnificent sight in the lead-up to Christmas, adorned with care and at its most charming. The irresistible Waltherplatz square offers a diverse array of concerts and readings, along with a wealth of Christmas gifts and culinary delights. Visitors must try the Zelten, a traditional fruitcake with a delightful scent of cinnamon and cloves.
Florence
Mercato Tedesco di Natale (German Christmas Market), Piazza Santa Croce. This Christmas Market is inspired by the tradition of the German city of Heidelberg, consisting of wooden huts and stalls selling Italian and German delicacies, decorations, handicrafts.
Exact dates tbc.
Lake Garda
It is the season of lights, colours, and the delightful flavours of Christmas in the heart of Hapsburg Arco. With forty market booths scattered throughout the town centre, you will find a variety of Christmas tree decorations, gift ideas, handmade crafts, and delicious local treats. As night falls, special evening events enhance the festive atmosphere of the Arco Christmas Market. Children can enjoy camel rides on Ali or take a pony ride, and there are engaging crafting workshops, a lively Santa Claus parade alongside his reindeer, and the chance to ride one of the colourful little trains that traverse Arco.
Open from November 15, 2024, to January 6, 2025.
Milan
The market in piazza Duomo is the largest Christmas market in the city. It hosts over 60 wooden chalets that sell traditional Christmas gifts and handicrafts, as well as a wide range of local food delicacies. Do not miss the lighting of the Christmas tree at the centre of the square.
Open from December 1, 2024, to January 5, 2025
Naples
The renowned Gregorio Armeno, a narrow street famous worldwide for its handcrafted Nativity Crib figurines, attracts both Neapolitans and tourists during the Christmas season. From traditional to intricate pieces, the street buzzes with activity.Visitors will be captivated by the charm of the wooden houses, the melodies of street artists and bands, the festive lights and colours of Christmas, and the delightful aromas of the food area.
Exact dates tbc.
Trento
The Trento Christmas Market in Piazza Fiera is renowned as one of the region’s most famous holiday markets. This market also sprawls into Piazza Cesare Battisti, where numerous stalls and mini chalets showcase a diverse array of Trentino’s exceptional foods, wines, and crafts.
Open from November 22, 2024, to January 6, 2025 (closed on December 25).
Trieste
In Trieste, you can immerse yourself in the old-world allure of the Austrian-Hungarian Empire at its Christmas Market, located in Piazza Sant’Antonio and the adjacent streets. Here, you will find a delightful array of typical Trieste foods and wines, Christmas decorations, artificial snow, and a festive backdrop of songs and music to enhance the visitor’s experience during the holiday season.
Open from December 7, 2024, to January 1, 2025.
Venice
Christmas fairs grace various squares (campo) in Venice, including Campo S. Bartolomeo, Campo San Salvador, Campo San Luca, Campo Manin, and Strada Nuova, where you can discover the “Venice Christmas Fair.” Additionally, you can explore a Christmas Market in Mestre, complete with an ice rink at Piazza Ferretto.
Exact dates tbc.
Verona
Every year, Verona becomes the host of a Nuremberg-style Christmas Market situated in the central Piazza dei Signori. This German-inspired market features the customary huts, elegantly illuminated and adorned, offering delightful array of traditional foods, handcrafted items, Christmas tree decorations, nativity scenes, and delectable specialties such as mulled wine, Stollen and Lebkuchen cakes, bratwurst, and more.
Open from November 29, 2024, to January 6, 2025.
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