Best Christmas Markets in Italy

Campo Santo Stefano

For three weeks before Christmas, Campo Santo Stefano transforms into a Christmas Village with 30 wooden cabins featuring Venetian craftsmen and food producers. Organized by the Artisan Association, the market showcases Murano glass ornaments, traditional carnival masks, ceramics, jewelry, marbled paper, and Italian specialty foods. The festive atmosphere is enhanced by musicians, concerts, and entertainment programs designed especially for children.

Piazza Duomo

Milan's most famous Christmas market surrounds the magnificent Duomo cathedral with over 60 wooden chalets. Features traditional Christmas products, decorations, nativity cribs, artisanal crafts, and regional food specialties. Open daily with a life-sized nativity scene and Santa's house for children.

Piazza Walther

Italy's largest and oldest Christmas market, operating since 1991. Features around 98 wooden chalets selling authentic South Tyrolean handicrafts, local gastronomy, and traditional decorations. The market creates a magical atmosphere with festive lights, traditional music, and the scents of Christmas spices and mulled wine in the historic Piazza Walther.

Verona Historic Center

A network of Christmas markets spread throughout Verona's historic center, featuring over 100 wooden houses and stalls. The markets combine German-style traditions with Italian charm, offering handmade crafts, local products, and regional specialties. Locations include historic squares, courtyards, and the city's famous bridges, all decorated with twinkling lights and festive decorations.

Piazza Santa Croce

Florence's largest and most famous Christmas market, celebrating over 20 years of tradition. This German-style market features wooden chalets selling Christmas decorations, traditional Bavarian food including pretzels and bratwurst, mulled wine, and crafts from across Europe. The market also includes Santa's House in front of the Basilica with games and activities for children.

Piazza Fiera and Piazza Cesare Battisti

Since 1993, Trento's traditional Christmas Market has been celebrating the festive season with traditional wooden huts showcasing local handicrafts and culinary specialties. The market spans two historic squares in the city center with approximately 90 wooden houses total. It is an eco-friendly market with particular attention to environmental sustainability, using locally sourced food and 100% clean energy.

Spa Promenade (Kurpromenade)

Main location along the Passirio River with over 80 booths

Campo San Polo

One of Venice's traditional Christmas markets located in Campo San Polo, right in the center of the city. The square also hosts an ice skating rink during the Christmas season, creating a festive winter atmosphere in the heart of Venice.

Via Isarco

Craftsmen's huts located along Via Isarco, creating an atmospheric route from the Cathedral to Capuchin Park. Features authentic artisan products and traditional South Tyrolean crafts.

Castello Sforzesco

Milan's oldest and most traditional Christmas fair, held for five centuries in celebration of Sant'Ambrogio, the city's patron saint. Features over 400 stalls selling artisanal products, antiques, toys, food specialties, and the traditional smoked chestnut necklaces called 'Firunatt'. The name comes from children's joyful exclamations in Milanese dialect.

Piazza Fiera

Main location with approximately 70 wooden houses

Via Pallone

Verona's main Christmas market inspired by the German-style markets of partner city Nuremberg. Features over 60 wooden stalls offering traditional crafts, handmade gifts, ceramics, wooden items, and German-style food including bratwurst, pretzels, and mulled wine. The market creates an authentic festive atmosphere in the heart of Verona's historic center.

Spa Promenade (Kurpromenade)

One of South Tyrol's most atmospheric Christmas markets, spanning three locations in Merano from late November to early January. Features over 80 booths along the magnificent spa promenade, offering local handicrafts, South Tyrolean products, and traditional food. The market includes heated Alessi Christmas tree balls for cozy seating, a living nativity scene, ice skating rink, and children's carousel.

Near the Cathedral

An extension of the main Bolzano Christmas Market located near the Cathedral. Features handicrafts and unique artisan pieces with authentic charm, creating an atmospheric route through the city center.

Piazza Sacco e Vanzetti

Arsenal area with ice skating rinks and Santa's workshop