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.

This year, 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.

Discover them all, from the Olympic Games tree in Piazza Duomo to the most curious installations around the city.

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 2023.

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. 

For Christmas 2023 a great Italian artist will be the protagonist: Perugino's The Baptism of Christ will be exhibited from 5 December to 14 January 2024. As every year, the exhibition is free with guided tours.

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 Christmas market in Piazza Duomo, circling the perimeter of the cathedral from December 1st to January 6th, 2024, creates a special festive atmosphere and is very popular with Milanese and visitors alike. 

The characteristic wooden huts traditionally sell a selection of festive food, clothing and decorative objects - perfect Christmas gifts for loved ones - while Santa Claus' grotto welcomes all children to celebrate together with special events and a life-size crib. 

Set against the magnificence of the Duomo, and the glittering decorations of the Rinascente, a stroll around the Christmas stalls is a lovely experience not to be missed!

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.

Here are the ones not to be missed.

• CHRISTMAS CONCERT IN THE DUOMO

As per Milanese tradition, every year the Duomo offers a free Christmas Concert giving the public a chance to listen to classical music performed by the greatest orchestras, under the baton of globally-renowned directors. 
This year there are two concerts.

The first will be on Monday December 18th with the Cameristi della Scala directed by the young Greek conductor Dionysis Grammenos. The programme features English music, from Handel's harp concerto and choirs from the Messiah, to Britten's Ceremony of Carols and John Rutter's songs for women's choir.
Online reservation is mandatory, available shortly before the concert date on duomomilano.it.

Tuesday, December 10th at 20:30 is the date for the traditional Christmas Concert, with the participation of the Milano Symphony Orchestra. Free admission subject to availability. Reservations mandatory on duomomilano.it shortly before the event date. All info will be updated in the next few weeks on duomomilano.it.

• CHRISTMAS CONCERT AT LA SCALA

    
As is customary for the festive season, the Teatro alla Scala presents its Christmas concert and, for this year’s occasion, the revered opera house will entrust the baton to maestro Daniel Harding.

The programme for December 23rd, 2023 at 20:00 will feature Fantasia in C minor. op. 80 for piano, soloists, choir and orchestra by Beethoven, and Symphony n. 2 in D major. op. 73 by Brahms. Purchase 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 Van Gogh to Morandi, El Greco, Goya and Rodin, 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!

Numerous ice rinks are set up around the city: discover them all.

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! 

The Villaggio delle Meraviglie Winter Wonderland Village is a paradise for kids of all ages with Santa Claus, Mother Christmas, the elf helpers and the old Befana witch. From November 18th, 2023 to January 7th, 2024, the Indro Montanelli Gardens will be transformed into an enchanted Christmas Forest with lots of attractions and events for everyone, including a huge skating rink.

Come back for more villages to be added.

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, will be screened citywide, and will be flanked by a programme of free events which, from December 1st onwards, offers 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.