This delicious desert is enjoyed all year round, but at Christmas time it has an extra special flavour! Panettone, born in Milano, has now become a delicious symbol of Christmas throughout Italy: it is served up on every table during the festive season, from the Immaculate Conception in December up to the Epiphany in January. 

Wherever you are in the city, it won't be difficult to find a pasticceria or panificio where you can taste and buy panettone to take home. It even features on some chef’s menus, or is served up in starred restaurants where it may become a special ingredient in a contemporary recipe.

If, however, you prefer to taste traditional artisan panettone, here you can download the list of the pasticcerie and panifici in Milano, Monza Brianza and Lodi that produce Panettone following the traditional artisan recipe.

Milano never disappoints when it comes to Christmas decorations, with the wonderful trees and illuminations that adorn the city streets and piazzas.

Christmas trees will once again be the focal points in many areas of the city thanks to Natale degli Alberi (Christmas of Trees) a creative project by Marco Balich.

Come back to discover them all.

Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas in Milano without a splendid masterpiece exhibited for free at Palazzo Marino, a very popular event that makes its welcome return for 2024.

Every year, thousands of Milanese and visitors have the unique opportunity to admire a special art masterpiece on loan from another Italian city. It will be exhibited in the evocative Sala Alessi, the seat of Milano’s Municipality, and museum guides will be on hand to share their knowledge of the artwork. 

The work on display for Christmas 2024 has not yet been revealed. While we wait to discover it, we leave you the image of the Christmas 2023 masterpiece: The Baptism of Christ by Perugino.

The city’s shop windows are always stunningly decorated for Christmas, much to the to delight of all. They create a magical backdrop, perfect for strolling and gift shopping. A trip to the Christmas markets in Milano is a must!

The characteristic wooden huts traditionally sell a selection of festive food, clothing and decorative objects - perfect Christmas gifts for loved ones. 

Come back to discover all the markets that will light up the city for the holidays.

Christmas without music is just not Christmas! December, the most magical month of the year, is coming to Milan so let’s all celebrate with concerts, songs and festive soundtracks to suit all tastes. A foray into the melodies of tradition, the perfect backdrop for such a magical time of year.

While waiting for the complete programme for Christmas 2024, we suggest the Christmas concert at the Teatro alla Scala: for the occasion, the La Scala theatre entrusts the baton to maestro Daniele Gatti.

Appointment on December, 21st 2024 at 20:00 with Petite Messe Solennelle by Gioacchino Rossini.

Buy your ticket here.

To add an extra bit of sparkle to your Christmas holidays, visit one of the many exhibitions open during this festive season.

From Picasso to Munch, Dubuffet, Gae Aulenti to Tim Burton's labyrinth, simply choose your favourites and delve into beauty.

One of the most fun things to do at Christmas time is to meet up with friends or family to go ice skating. Enjoy the thrill of taking a fast lap of the rink, perhaps linking hands with your friends, wrapped up warm in padded layers to buffer your landing in case you slip!

Come back to discover the most beautiful rinks in the city, starting with the one in front of Central Station.

Christmas is a family occasion that brings everyone together and focuses on children’s enjoyment.

Fortunately, Milano offers lots of opportunities during the festive season for entertaining little ones, and for creating unforgettable memories!

Be enchanted by the magical atmosphere of the wintery villages for families and children, where you can meet Father Christmas and take a souvenir Santa Selfie! 

Come back to discover the villages in the city.

The two days of celebrations for Sant'Ambrogio, patron saint of the city, and for the Immaculate Conception, respectively on December 7th and 8th, mark the beginning of the Christmas festivities in Milano.

The city thrives on its traditions: don’t miss the Teatro alla Scala inaugural evening which, thanks to the Prima Diffusa project, is screened citywide, and is flanked by a programme of free events such asrs concerts, performances, exhibitions and meetings to enable everyone discover the opera that will be screened in over 30 iconic places in Milano.

An ancient tradition in this period is also the “Oh bej! Oh bej!” Christmas market around the Castello Sforzesco.

It is one of the most evocative times to visit Milano, when visitors can participate in events that no Milanese would ever want to miss.

Top of Milano’s Christmas list is a stroll through the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II to admire the festive illuminations that can be enjoyed from the end of November up until the Epiphany.

The Galleria’s glistening heart is the traditional illuminated tree placed beneath the shimmering mantle of lights of the central Octagon, and the shop window displays that, every year, never fail to reveal stunning surprises.

Start here than take a stroll in the most famous shopping streets in Milano.