Editor’s note: This article was first published in 2022 and has been updated to reflect 2024 celebrations.
It’s that time of year again: Babbo Natale is rubbing his hands together with glee at the thought of another bumper year for business. “Christmas in Italy” can conjure up images of the charming wooden huts set up in Florence’s Piazza Santa Croce (running until December 22), the transformation of Rome’s Piazza Navona into a fairytale village (until La Befana arrives on January 6), the warming mulled wines of Bolzano’s blockbuster affair (also running until January 6), and the over-the-top nativity scenes on Via San Gregorio Armeno in Naples (visible year-round, but especially vibrant in December).
But seasoned visitors to Italy may find they’re in the mood for something that feels a little more local. Many Christmas markets and festive rituals beyond the “marquee headliners” up and down the Boot are worth visiting — and all offer plenty of seasonal spirit.
As always, be sure to check the provided websites for any last-minute changes to these events.
Habsburg Christmas Market
Levico Terme (Trentino-Alto Adige)
Now ongoing until January 6, 2025
Website
Music, munchies and magic await visitors at the 23rd edition of Levico Terme’s Habsburg Christmas Market, held against the scenic backdrop of Habsburg Secular Park.
Festivities mix the traditional — Christmas accordions, Alpine Krampus parades, visits with Santa Claus — with the quirky and new (including an interactive educational farm and a special soap bubble show).
Grownups can enjoy a visit to the Parade of the Habsburg Court, sample gastronomic delights and maybe buy a craft or two. A big standout in the Levico Terme lineup is also the nativity scene exhibition, which features some first-class handiwork for families to enjoy together.
Montepulciano Christmas Village
Montepulciano (Tuscany)
Now ongoing on select weekend days until January 6, 2025
Website
One of the largest festive markets in the country, the Montepulciano Christmas Village is a merry showcase in the heart of Tuscan wine country, dominating Piazza Grande and Via San Donato and fanning out into their adjoining streets.
A wealth of original handmade products awaits shoppers, spanning clothes, leather goods, crafts, food, sweets and festive decorations. Piazza Grande’s ample space also means that there's lots of room for street entertainment and performances. Per tradition, the Montepulciano village is also one of the rare markets that stays open on Christmas Day (though only in the afternoon).
Tip: Double-check dates before organizing a trip, as the market days don’t follow a clear pattern. And don’t forget to Indulge in a glass of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano or other local ruby reds after a full day of browsing.
Christmas in Gubbio
Gubbio (Umbria)
Christmas tree: From December 7
ChristmasLand: Now ongoing until January 6, 2025
There are several yuletide traditions in Gubbio. The most famous is the massive Christmas tree, set up on the Monte Ingino slopes and said to be the world’s largest; at a whopping 450 meters wide and 750 meters high, it’s been noted in the Guinness Book of World Records. The lighting of the tree on December 7 — the eve of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception — takes place in the presence of at least one buzz-worthy guest or organization. This year, the National Fire Brigade will be featured. Entertainment starts at 5.30pm and includes singer Sara Jane Ceccarelli and a performance by the local dance schools of Gubbio. The event will also be live-streamed on the website.
Meanwhile, Palazzo Beni’s Museum of Arts and Crafts holds court to ChristmasLand. Open on weekends through December 15, and then on a full-time basis from December 21 to January 6, ChristmasLand spans multiple floors and sections. These include nativities from around the world, a trip back in time to the year 800, a hand-crafted model railway, an upside down room sure to entertain the little ones, and a special fairy tale section.
Another trademark Christmas event in Gubbio takes place in the San Martino neighborhood, where a life-size nativity scene nearly overtakes the alleyways (this year’s dates are December 8 to January 6, 2025). Around 120 statues recreate the traditional story of the nativity with help from locals who pitch in to make the occasion memorable.
Green Christmas Market
Milan (Lombardy)
December 14-15, 10am-7pm both days
Facebook page
Italy’s greenest Christmas market is a warm-hearted and fun event that wears its social conscience on its sleeve.
Milan, the busy capital of industry and fashion, makes an uncharacteristically slow and sustainable pivot at the Green Christmas Market, which focuses on naturally made and naturally sourced clothes, cosmetics and children’s gifts, as well as household goods and holiday decorations that can be used for years to come. Everything on offer is crafted from natural sources and high-quality materials, all designed to meet exacting environmental standards.
Bonus: The venue is a historic foundry worth a visit in its own right.
Asti Christmas Market
Asti (Piedmont)
Ongoing until December 22, 2024
Website
The acclaimed Asti Christmas market is now open for business in Piazza Alfieri. Entrance is free to all, and there’s much to see and do and, of course, plenty of first-rate seasonal shopping (there are a whopping 130 stalls to browse). This festive fair in the heart of Le Langhe wine country is the only Italian market to have landed in the top ten European holiday markets for 2024, according to the latest European Best Destinations ranking. Exhibitors include everyone from cheesemongers to felt cap makers.
La Faglia and Campobasso Christmas Market
Oratino and Campobasso (Molise)
December 24 (La Faglia ritual); December 1-23 (market in Piazza Pepe, Campobasso)
Website
Campobasso hosts one of the more homey and down-to-earth options in this lineup, with a market that this year takes place in Piazza Pepe. It runs until just before Christmas Eve (December 1-23).
But the centerpiece of the festivities comes after the market. On Christmas Eve in small Oratino (a town in the province), there’s a buzz in the area as locals ceremoniously light a 13-meter-high reed candle. Both residents and visitors can enjoy music, dancing, food, drink and an earlier procession.
Different sources are divided on the origins of the tradition, with some suggesting that it dates back to 1251. The ritual is said to signify regeneration.
A candle-centered ritual on Christmas Eve in small-town Molise may not end up on a first-timer’s seasonal agenda in Italy. But if you’re up for an adventure or have an appetite for hyper-local festivities, this one is just the ticket.
Verona Christmas Market
Verona (Veneto)
Ongoing (daily) until December 26; hours vary
Website
Now in its 16th edition, the Verona Christmas Market caps off the year in style. Tipping the hat to Germanic Christmas market traditions, Verona-style festivities are concentrated in two locations: Piazza dei Signori and the Courtyard of the Mercato Vecchio. Visitors are spoiled for choice with more than 100 stalls. These contain a bumper crop of handmade clothes, jewelry, ceramics, soaps and liqueurs.
Warm up with a hearty sausage sandwich and sup of mulled wine or craft ale. Be sure to check out the 100 meter (328 foot)-high Christmas Star of Bethlehem sculpture.
Christmas in Bressanone/Brixen
Bressanone/Brixen (Trentino-Alto Adige)
Now ongoing until January 6, 2025
Website
Gift ideas come thick and fast when you’re spending Christmas in the bilingual village of Bressanone/Brixen. Wooden huts house a wide range of regional businesses and independent vendors, including master bakers of traditional sweets from the area, garden centers and homemade handicraft experts hawking everything from Alpine clogs to small felt goods sourced from sheep in the area.
Take a break from the hectic shopping to chill out at Wally’s Hut for a drink, snack and a chat. It’s also worth booking a place at the locally beloved lights and music show and picking up a krapfen (the region’s traditional jam doughnut) or five.
Christmas in Bologna
Bologna (Emilia-Romagna)
Santa Lucia Fair: Ongoing until December 26
French Christmas Village: Ongoing until January 6, 2025
While Verona offers a taste of Germany, Bologna’s French Christmas Village does exactly what it says on the tin. Piazza Minghetti plays host to the city’s annual French Noel. As well as sampling some of the best-known, freshly prepared food and drink specialities, visitors can also add a touch of French chic to their gifts for the luxury-oriented loved ones on their lists, with French origin perfumes, accessories and soaps.
For a more locally grounded tradition, the Santa Lucia Fair takes place each year under the portico of the Santa Maria dei Servi church. Dating back to the 16th century, this market’s kickoff traditionally ushers in the holiday season in the area. It’s also your best bet in Bologna for picking up items for a nativity set, and offers kids the chance to send a wish list to Father Christmas.
Viterbo Christmas Village
Viterbo (Lazio)
Now ongoing until January 6, 2024
Website
“It’s not Christmas if you don't come to Viterbo!” So promises Santa on the official website of Viterbo’s Christmas village, and the man’s got a case. Viterbo’s stocking full of festivities is bursting at the seams. Visitors can stop in at Santa’s sleigh in addition to his home. (Evidently, Santa’s been paying Rudolph well, as the red-nosed reindeer has his own stable.)
Ice skating is also a big part of the Viterbese celebrations, and this year’s hub is in Largo Benedetto Croce. There’s also an extravagant World of Ice in Piazza San Carluccio, with faux snow, polar bears and dancing penguins.
If you aren’t all that excited about Christmas, this is one of the few festivals where you can grumble about the season with the Grinch himself.
