The Christmas markets not to be missed in Italy in 2024
Do you feel like having mulled wine and taking a ride on the Ferris wheel?
G-Club
December 7th, 2024
December 7th, 2024
Who’s ready to grab a scarf, gloves, a wool hat, and a coat to venture into the cold December night? What if we added a steaming cup of mulled wine, sugary fried doughnuts, a ride on a Ferris wheel, breathtaking light displays, and perhaps a stroll through Santa’s Village? Starting from the Immaculate Conception weekend, Italy lights up with Christmas markets that warm both hearts and city centers, big and small, inviting us into their cozy embrace. We’ve handpicked some of the best for you.
Where are the most beautiful Christmas markets? Let’s start with Caorle, Veneto
Caorle Christmas Time opens on December 7 and runs until January 6, featuring over 80 wooden stalls, an ice-skating rink, and attractions like the Grinch and Santa Claus. Culinary delights await at the "Fishermen’s Village," alongside videomapping shows and numerous events including markets, musical performances, and workshops for children. The town is ready to welcome visitors from all over Europe with campsites, hotels, and camper-friendly areas.
Ragusa, Sicily
Ragusa’s Christmas markets will run from December 7, 2024, to January 6, 2025, with events spread across the city center and the Ibla district. Alongside traditional stalls offering artisanal crafts and gourmet foods, there will also be musical performances, children’s workshops, and guided tours of a live nativity scene. Videomapping projections on historic façades and a dedicated area for local specialties add to the magic.
Christmas Markets 2024/2025: Lettere Castle, Naples
In Lettere, near Naples, the Christmas markets take on a fairy-tale quality in the stunning setting of the town’s castle. From November 9 to January 6, 2025, every weekend offers a chance to discover unique local crafts, from Christmas decorations to traditional ceramics, and indulge in local delicacies, including novello wine. For the little ones, Santa’s House is a must-visit, while shows and games keep the festive spirit alive. Don’t miss the Tower of Grain and the Medieval Museum.
Sant'Antioco, Sardinia
From December 7 to January 6, Sant’Antioco transforms into an open-air stage with events for all ages. Children can enjoy Santa’s Village with activities and encounters with Santa every weekend until December 24. Adults will marvel at the living nativity "Su Nascimentu in Grutta" and the Artistic Nativity by Gianni Salidu. Shopping and crafts take center stage at the Christmas Markets, while live concerts, featuring performers like Giorgio Vanni, add to the fun.
Pesaro, Marche
Light shows, widespread markets, nativity exhibitions, puppet shows, tastings, shopping opportunities, music, educational farms, and children’s workshops are all part of the festivities in Pesaro. Expect dance performances and entertainment for all ages. Don’t miss the itinerant shows on weekends, including lyrical performances by Maria and Ian enchanting passersby every Friday at 5 PM. Santa Claus’s visits to shops and guiding citizens through "secondary shopping streets," along with Plasteroid the Ice Man every Saturday at 5 PM, are delightful highlights.
Oh Bej! Oh Bej! in Milan, Lombardy
The Oh Bej! Oh Bej! Fair is Milan’s most traditional and beloved event during the week of Saint Ambrose. This historic market, celebrating five centuries of Milanese Christmas cheer with sweets, surprises, and curiosities, runs from December 5 to 8, 2024. Admission to the Oh Bej! Oh Bej! Fair is free, with no reservation required, and opening hours are from 8:30 AM to 9:00 PM. Once again, the event takes place in the beautiful setting of the Castello Sforzesco-Parco Sempione.