After Rome, Milan is the most populated city in the gorgeous country of Italy. It’s a bustling metropolis and home to unparalleled architecture, like the Gothic Duomo di Milano cathedral, the Santa Maria delle Grazie convent, and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.
It’s considered one of the most fashionable cities in the world, as many of the top designer brands reside here. While it may be a fabulous fashion capital, it pivots toward the holiday spirit when December rolls around. Christmas in Italy is wonderful, but Christmas in Milan is a truly magical experience.
Learn more about Milan, Italy here on these web pages:
Known as the center of fashion – Milan, Italy
14 fun facts about Milan you should know
What Milan is famous for: 5 important reasons
To make the most of your Christmas and New Year’s in Milan, learn more about the city’s holiday traditions and offerings below!
Holiday Season Weather in Milan, Italy
The holiday season in Milan, Italy, is similar to the rest of the Western world. Most people begin embracing the holiday spirit on December 7th and 8th, when the Christmas trees go up and the festivities begin. While some areas of Italy are still warm and sunny at the beginning of December, Milan is usually not. Its northern position in the country makes it a cooler location. Winter in Italy can be comfortable, but in Milan, expect cold temperatures, rain, and cloudy days.
The temperature typically ranges from 1ºC to 7ºC (33ºF–44ºF), with the average in the city being 4ºC. The sun often sets before 5 PM during this time, so keep this in mind when planning your holiday activities. Rain is much more common than snow during December in Milan. But you may get lucky and experience a gentle snowfall that coats the city in a beautiful white blanket.
Dressing and Packing for the Holidays in Milan
Since there will likely be rain and maybe some snow, it’s crucial that you pack, prepare, and dress accordingly. You’ll need warm clothing, so make sure you have plenty of layers. And it’s wise to bring something waterproof, such as a rain jacket, rain boots, or umbrella. Scarves, hats, thick socks, and gloves are all brilliant items to carry with you while enjoying the outdoor decorations, firework displays, and Christmas markets in Milan.
Holiday Hours to Be Aware Of
Churches and museums tend to close on Christmas Day, including Duomo Terrace, Museo del Novecento, Castello Sforzesco, Pinacoteca di Brera, Palazzo Reale, and Leonardo Da Vinci’s Last Supper. Expect many of these locations to also be closed on January 1st, and some may close early on Christmas Eve. These establishments may adjust their holiday hours to meet demand or cater to staff. Check their respective websites or call for detailed holiday hours of operation.
Stores and restaurants vary even more, but a handful stay open on both Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Some of the most popular spots for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day meals are Il Luogo di Aimo e Nadia, Al Garghet, and Antica Hostaria della Lanterna. However, their reservation lists fill up fast; make your plans well in advance if you want to dine out on the holidays.
Charming Christmas Traditions in Milan
How does Italy celebrate Christmas? Milan locals celebrate Christmas with passion and vitality, hosting feasts, midnight Mass, and alluring Christmas markets. Christmas in Milan intertwines religious traditions with modern excitement for a one-of-a-kind holiday experience. The city of fashion shows off its Christmas spirit every year, transforming into a vibrantly festive city with an array of traditions.
Italian Cuisine for Christmas
One of the most important delicacies around the holiday season is panettone, a sweet, cakey kind of bread that hails from Milan. Since Milan is this bakery treat’s city of origin, you won’t be able to walk into a single Milanese bakery around Christmas without seeing these cakes everywhere. Second to the panettone is the pandoro, another type of Italian cake associated with the holidays.
Most restaurants in Milan will serve the panettone as dessert, but you can also find the pandoro in the area. But the deliciousness doesn’t stop there. All along the streets of the city, especially near the Christmas markets, there are food stalls and carts selling wintry delights. Popular food items include roasted chestnuts, ravioli soup, overly cheesy pizza slices, and more. From casual street food to lavish restaurant feasts, the Italian holiday food in Milan is beyond cozy and irresistible.
Festive Italian Decorations
Milan goes all out with their Christmas decorations. Practically every street corner is donned with twinkling lights, green garlands, glistening ornaments, and festive Christmas trees. The city takes on a mesmerizing appearance, comprehensively capturing the holiday spirit.
One of the most stunning places to see Italian decorations is Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, where a magnanimous Christmas tree towers over the square. But the tree at the Piazza del Duomo in front of the Milan Cathedral is even more impressive and captivating. The Castello Sforzesco and the Torre Branca in Parco Sempione are also marvelous places to admire the decor. These decorations typically go up around December 7th and 8th, corresponding with the two-day celebrations of the Immaculate Conception and Sant’Ambrogio.
Milan Christmas Markets and Shopping
No Milanese Christmas is complete without visiting one of the amazing outdoor markets. On December 7th, the festivities kick off with the Oh Bej, Oh Bej Christmas market. This tradition dates back centuries, taking place in front of the Castello Sforzesco. You can buy an array of enticing items, from homemade panettone to hand-crafted ornaments to luxurious dresses.
Oh Bej, Oh Bej is the most notable Christmas market, but smaller markets can be found throughout the city. Places like Artigiano in Fiera, Piazza del Duomo, and Villaggio delle Meraviglie in Porta Venezia also host marvelous markets where shoppers can indulge. You can buy all your loved ones’ Christmas presents and get a little something for yourself in a single trip to a Milan Christmas market.
The Best Christmas Events in Milan
Aside from the fabulous markets, Milan’s Christmas events are plentiful and diverse. The most important Christmas event is midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. After relishing a multi-course fish feast, Milanese locals typically head to the midnight Mass at the Milan Cathedral. It’s best to leave early for the Mass, as it’s usually very busy. If you can’t find a spot at the Milan Cathedral, there are several other Masses you can attend. The Santa Maria del Carmine Church, Basilica di San Babila, and Santa Maria della Passione all hold a midnight Mass on the 24th.
Listening to the Mass in Italian is an enveloping experience, but for an English Mass, you can visit Chiesa Santa Maria del Carmine. If this holy tradition isn’t for you, Milan still has many events, such as Christmas concerts at the Teatro alla Scala or the Feast of Sant’Ambrogio. Holiday Masses and markets are available throughout the Christmas season, making it easy to find something festive to do every day.
New Year’s Eve Celebrations in Milan
New Year’s Eve in Milan is just as vibrant and inviting as Christmas. They call December 31st La Festa di San Silvestro, which means Saint Sylvester’s feast day. Technically, January 1st is a different holiday, which they call Capodanno and translates to “Head of the Year.” Many Milanese locals celebrate Christmas with fish dinners and quality time with family, but New Year’s Eve is more of a community spectacle. Locals flood out of their homes and into the streets, clubs, and hotels to party and ring in the New Year.
Indulge in Festive Italian Cuisine
The La Festa di San Silvestro celebrations begin with a family dinner. The traditional meal is lenticchie e cotechino, a pork sausage and lentils dish. The pork symbolizes the richness of life, while the lentil represents fortune and wealth. Milanese locals enjoy this distinct meal before midnight to ensure they start the New Year with luck and prosperity.
This simple but delicious dinner can be made at home, or you can indulge at one of the popular restaurants in Milan. Obicà Mozzarella Bar, Savô Milano Pizzeria Gourmet, La Gioia, Osteria del Castello, and Villa Necchi alla Portalupa are just a handful of the best places to eat on New Year’s Eve.
Unique Superstitions to Partake In
One of the most fun ways to enjoy Milan New Year’s Eve like a local is to take part in the holiday superstitions. Along with the pork and lentils, Milanese people believe eating grapes on New Year’s Eve can bring good luck. Other interesting traditions include wearing red undergarments and tossing old belongings out of a window. These traditions help you begin the New Year with vitality and a refreshed perspective.
Lastly, the first person you see after midnight will dictate what the rest of your year will be like. Seeing an elderly person is positive and means you’ll have many surprises. On the other hand, if you pass a baby, priest, or doctor, you may be in for some bad luck.
The Best New Year’s Events to Enjoy
After you enjoy dinner and check off the superstitions from your list, you can experience several wonderful events. The entire city turns into one big party, so no matter where you go in Milan, you’ll be in the middle of the celebration. The Piazza Castello and the Piazza del Duomo are two of the busiest places you can celebrate with locals. You can watch grand fireworks displays from these spots and sip on Prosecco with everyone else. Beyond this iconic place to ring in the New Year, there are many events and parties to attend.
Enjoy a fireworks show in a more laidback atmosphere by hanging out around the Sforza Castle and Duomo di Milano. Listen to invigorating music at the Arcimboldi Theater when you attend the “3… 2… 1… WELCOME!” concert. Spend the night at the Teatro alla Scala watching an exquisite ballet performance of “The Nutcracker.”
The Epiphany of January 6th
The party doesn’t stop at midnight. In fact, it keeps going until January 6th! The Epiphany of January 6th is considered a holy day and the official end of the holiday season. A procession goes from the Piazza Duomo to the church of Sant’Eustorgio. You can witness an enthusiastic reenactment of the Three Kings march and close out your holiday fun in Milan with a bang!
Enjoying the Holiday Spirit in Milan
Christmas in Milan is a special and layered experience. From the distinct and delicious food to the elegant decorations to the holy events, Milan has many unique traditions to relish. And New Year’s in the city of fashion is just as sensational, with classic firework displays and an unapologetic party spirit.
During the rest of the year, Milan is known for its high-end fashion and luxury clothing, but throughout December and into January, the holiday spirit permeates the air. Whether you’re on a Christmas vacation, living in Italy, roaming through Europe, or traveling the world, you’ll be dazzled by Milan’s holiday offerings.
Don’t Forget to Travel Safely!
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Also, we have created a lot of great videos on how to use your travel insurance best. Our Ask Doug series of videos are located here. We sincerely hope you enjoy your travels to Milan and beyond during Christmas and New Year’s.
