10 Things to Do in Milan at Christmas

Milan is an excellent tourist destination at Christmas, offering entertainment for adults and children alike. There are also free cultural activities, beautiful places to do your winter shopping and a colourful atmosphere to enjoy.

If you're wondering what to see and do in Milan during the Christmas season, keep in mind that you'll be able to experience the traditions of the Milanese up close , visiting Piazza Duomo for the Christmas tree lighting, skating on the ice rinks set up around the city, taking a trip from Milan to the Swiss Alps, and visiting the Navigli canals, among other activities.

If you are in Milan on 5 December, you have a must-see event in Piazza del Duomo, as the traditional Christmas tree lighting takes place there every year. This is a colourful and joyful event that marks the beginning of the lighting of all the streets in the city.

The imposing Christmas tree will surprise you with its snow-covered branches, hundreds of hanging decorations and sparkling lights. Without a doubt, it is a true visual spectacle that you should add to your list of 10 things to see and do in Milan's Piazza del Duomo at Christmas.

In addition, on that day, a market is set up in the surrounding area where you can sample Italian sweets and street food. You can also buy souvenirs, Christmas items and winter clothing. And since you're in the area, I recommend booking a guided tour of Milan Cathedral, which is truly the star of the square.

A few minutes from Milan Castle, in the old town, is Sempione Park and, inside it, the Torre Branca, from which you can enjoy an amazing view of the city and the Christmas lights if you climb up to its steel terrace.

When you reach the tower, you will need to take a lift that will take you up the inside of the 91-metre-high structure. Once at the highest point of the Branca Tower, i.e. on the top platform, you can enjoy a privileged view of Milan:

• You will see Piazza Duomo in detail.
• You will be able to see the monumental San Siro stadium in the distance.
• You will see the skyscrapers and modern buildings of the Porta Nuova district, covered in Christmas lights.
• On the horizon, you will see the imposing Swiss Alps.

Practical information

• Where: Sempione Park on Viale Luigi Camoens, 2.
• When: Tuesday and Wednesday from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 3:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Also, Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., 2:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. to midnight. All these times are subject to change depending on weather conditions.
• Price: €5. Admission to Sempione Park is free.
• Duration: the visit lasts approximately 5 minutes.
• Recommendation: I also recommend booking tickets to the Sforzesco Castle in Milan, as it is very close by.

If you are in Milan during December, you must try the traditional Christmas desserts. This is something you can do on your own, by hopping on one of the best hop-on hop-off tourist buses or by booking a food tour in Milan. I recommend:

• Panettone, a Milanese sweet that dates back to around 1400.
• Torrone di Cremona or nougat, whose oldest representative brand in Milan is Rivoltini.
• Chocolate, another sweet that cannot be missing from the Milanese Christmas table. You will find chocolates, bars and any variation of this exquisite ingredient.
• Nuts are also a sweet treat that Milanese people enjoy every Christmas.

In Milan, you will find dozens of bakeries where you can try the sweets mentioned above. However, there are businesses with a tradition of more than 200 years, such as Pasticceria Cova, the Vergani family bakery and the Sant Ambroeus confectionery, among many others.

In the city centre, you will find the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, which offers a unique Christmas atmosphere during the month of December thanks to its huge tree, lights and decorations.

This is a good option if you don't know what to see and do in Milan in 4 days, as it offers the perfect setting for taking photos and enjoying an afternoon of luxury shopping and exquisite flavours. You will also find bookshops, the Leonardo Da Vinci Museum and the Prada Observatory.

You can even climb to the roof of the gallery to enjoy a vibrant view of the city. This activity usually takes place on Saturdays and Sundays between 12:00 and 21:00. To do so, you will need to pay approximately €12. However, you can also visit this gallery by booking a guided tour of Milan, as it is one of the stops on the itinerary.

Practical information

• Where: between Piazza Duomo and Piazza della Scala.
• When: Monday to Friday, 24 hours a day.
• Price: free admission.

Booking a trip along the Navigli canals in December is an activity you can't miss out on when visiting Milan at night, as this tour allows you to enjoy the colourful Christmas atmosphere that this European city has to offer.

You'll see a blanket of lights over the canals, providing a beautiful view that's perfect for taking photos. You will also see picturesque markets where you will find a large display of Christmas products and endless crafts, antiques and street food.

In addition to strolling along the iconic canals and buying souvenirs at the Christmas markets, you can pop into any bar or restaurant in this district to enjoy aperitif time from 7 pm onwards.

When you book your excursion from Milan to the Swiss Alps, you can enjoy one of the most beautiful alpine landscapes if you choose the scenic route of the famous red Bernina Express train, recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

During the journey, you will see imposing glacial lakes, majestic snow-capped mountains and natural beauty that is difficult to describe. You will also pass through the Bernina Pass, located at an altitude of 2,250 metres above sea level, before arriving at the elegant town of St Moritz.

You can get off the famous little red train to explore the town and will have enough time to admire the architecture, the snowy landscape and the Christmas atmosphere. You can also enjoy a cup of coffee or Swiss hot chocolate before returning.

Practical information

• Where: from Tirano to St. Moritz.
• When: every day of the week.
• Price: €120 (approx.).

7 December is a very important date for the people of Milan, as they celebrate Saint Ambrose, their patron saint and protector. This celebration also marks the official start of the Christmas season.

To join in this traditional activity, head to the Basilica of Saint Ambrose and walk around the surrounding area, where you will find a series of street stalls selling antiques, crafts, food, sweets and a variety of drinks, including the famous mulled wine, vin brulé.

During this celebration, you can also enjoy the Oh Bej! Oh Bej! fair and its open-air market, which also begins on 7 December and ends the following Sunday. There you will find Christmas decorations, toys for the little ones, flowers and endless souvenirs.

Practical information

• Where: Piazza Sant'Ambrogio, 15.
• When: from 10:00 a.m. to approximately 11:00 p.m.
• Price: free.

If you visit Milan in December , you should take a stroll through the famous Fashion District, as this area combines the architectural beauty of its buildings with a picturesque Christmas scene that is well worth admiring.

In this area, you will see a large number of fashion houses and boutiques from renowned brands: Valentino, Dolce & Gabbana, Dior, Gucci Cavalli, Prada, among others. You will also find several hairdressers and some luxury cafés.

You will be amazed by the Christmas lights in the streets and the decorations in the shop windows, where you will also see the season's clothing and accessories on display. The architectural style of the buildings as you walk by will also catch your attention.

If you are going to be in Milan for more than three days and want to have some fun, head to Piazza Gae Aulenti in the Porta Nuova district. There you will find a fabulous rink and a pleasant Christmas atmosphere. What's more, on your way to the square you can admire the city's most modern architectural complex.

You will see more than 25 buildings around Piazza Gae Aulenti, built during the 21st century as part of the city's reconstruction. Among them are the famous Vertical Forest, César Pelli's Unicredit skyscraper and the glass building that serves as the headquarters for the Feltrinelli Foundation, among others.

Once at the skating rink, you can hire a pair of skates and glide across the surface. You will also enjoy a colourful visual spectacle thanks to the Solar Tree lighting system in the fountains, which uses energy stored during the day.

If you are spending more than two days in Milan with your children, you can visit the Leolandia theme park, which offers Christmas activities for children (such as the ice rink) during the month of December, in addition to its usual attractions such as the pirate ship, the train, the roller coaster...

You will also enjoy an atmosphere full of lights, artificial snow and seasonal decorations. These are plenty of reasons to include this adventure among the things to do in Milan with children.

You will need to take a bus and travel 40 kilometres from Milan to Capriate San Gervasio, where Leolandia park is located.

Practical information

• Where: Via Vittorio Veneto, 52.
• When: Monday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00. However, these hours change in the low season, so you should check the official website.
• Price: the average ticket price is €39. Adults over 65 and children between 90 and 119 centimetres tall receive a discount. They therefore pay approximately €34.

Tourist numbers in Milan during the Christmas season are moderate, meaning that there is a moderate amount of people on the streets. This is due to the typical winter weather in December.

However, lovers of snowy landscapes see Milan as a must-visit tourist destination to appreciate the beauty of its natural landscapes under a blanket of snow. Likewise, this time of year is perfect for strolling peacefully through the streets and queuing to enter the city's attractions without crowds.

During the Christmas period, temperatures in Milan can drop to 1 °C, so you will need to keep well wrapped up throughout your stay. Be sure to wear winter clothing to retain body heat for longer and keep these tips in mind:

• Wear three layers of clothing (one close to the skin, the second slightly loose and the last loose-fitting). This will keep you warm and control moisture generated by perspiration.
• Wear accessories for your head, neck and hands to protect the areas that your clothing does not cover from the cold. Ideally, you should wear a hat with earflaps, a scarf and gloves.
• Do not forget to wear winter shoes. Remember that this type of footwear will give you a good level of traction on the snow, preventing you from slipping unexpectedly when moving around.