The Christmas season in Italy heralds the arrival of some of Europe’s best holiday markets. Numerous stalls spread out across historic city centers sell unique, handcrafted products and local foods that honor the regions from which they hail. Centered around food, family, and tradition, the majority of Italy's largest and best Christmas markets are held in the country’s northern regions and as such feature influences from Austrian and German cultures.
From mulled wine, handcrafted Christmas decorations, quaint wooden stalls, religious celebrations, and over-the-top light decorations, Italy is one of the most charming places to experience a Christmas steeped in centuries of culture and tradition. Below are the country’s top five Christmas markets, all of which offer unique Italian holiday activities.
BOLZANO
Nov. 25, 2022 - Jan. 6, 2023
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Largely considered to be the Italian capital of Christmas, Bolzano’s holiday market is a unique blend of Italian and Austrian culture. The northern Italian city’s close proximity to the Austrian border ensures that the market is equal parts pasta and pretzels, gluhwein and vino. Held in Piazza Walther, the market features unique South Tyrolean products such as Christmas tree decorations, loden clothes, and handcrafted wood, glass, and pottery products. Traditional foods include speck, strudel, mulled wine, and Zelten, a local fruitcake spiced with orange zest.
TRIESTE
Dec. 7, 2022 - Jan. 1, 2023
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With stalls spread out across three different locations in the city center, the Trieste Christmas Market, located in the northern Friuli Venezia Giulia region, is traditionally inaugurated in Pizza S. Antonio with the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, a holy celebration attended by many Christians. The market, complete with bright lights and garlands, is notable for hosting a living crèche with real animals to entertain children.
MILAN
Nov. 25, 2022 - Jan. 6, 2023
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The Mercatino di Natale in Piazza del Duomo is Milan’s largest and most popular Christmas market. It hosts over 60 vendors spread out around the famous Duomo, all of which sell traditional handcrafted Christmas products and foods. Aside from shopping, visitors can participate in workshop activities, charity initiatives, and entertainment options provided for children. Milan also hosts the Fiera degli Oh Bej! Oh Bej!, one of the city’s oldest holiday markets. Dating back to the 13th century, it is held in Piazza Castello near the Sforza Castle and features dozens of stalls selling clothing, children’s toys, and other artisanal products and treats.
BRIXEN/BRESSANONE
Nov. 25, 2022 - Jan. 6, 2023
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Brixen, the oldest town in South Tyrol, takes place in the courtyard of the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and San Cassiano, the province’s most cherished cathedral dating back to the late 10th century. Brixen’s market features nearly 40 stalls selling traditional Alpine products and foods, such as gluhwein, hot apple cider, and bratwurst. It is particularly renowned for Soliman’s Dream, a unique light and music show that takes place in the courtyard of the Renaissance-era Hofburg Palace.
VENICE
Nov. 25, 2022 - Jan. 6, 2023
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The lagoon city of Venice is notable for its large Christmas market located in Campo Santo Stefano which often features a temporary ice rink and stalls dedicated to selling local foods, such as candied chestnuts, creamy nougat, panettone, and traditional oils and vinegars. Additional stalls can be found across the city in Campo S. Bartolomeo, Campo San Salvador, Campo San Luca, and Campo Manin. The island of Murano, world-famous for its production of Murano glass, also holds its own version of a holiday market, complete with live glass-blowing demonstrations, music, and entertainment.
Asia London Palomba
Asia London Palomba is a trilingual freelance journalist from Rome, Italy, currently pursuing her master's in journalism at New York University (NYU). In the past, her work on culture, travel, and history has been published in The Boston Globe, Atlas Obscura, and The Christian Science Monitor. In her free time, Asia enjoys traveling home to Italy to spend time with family and friends, drinking Hugo Spritzes, and making her nonna's homemade cavatelli.