{"id":5981,"date":"2013-12-09T17:44:05","date_gmt":"2013-12-09T16:44:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/walks.friday.ie\/?p=5981"},"modified":"2024-11-13T19:27:39","modified_gmt":"2024-11-13T19:27:39","slug":"christmas-in-milan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/christmas-in-milan","title":{"rendered":"Christmas in Milan (And New Year&#8217;s, Too): What You Have to Know"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Christmas in Milan isn&#8217;t just beautiful\u2014it&#8217;s the perfect place and season to get some shopping done! One of the world&#8217;s most renowned shopping destinations, Milan lights up during the holidays with miles of designer stores, unique boutiques and outdoor markets, making it the perfect destination for getting through your Christmas list.<\/p>\n<p>But even if you&#8217;re not the biggest shopping fan, there&#8217;s plenty to do and see, from midnight Mass at the Duomo to ringing in the New Year like a true Milanese.<\/p>\n<p>Coming to Milan for Christmas or New Year&#8217;s? From Christmas markets to holiday museum hours, here&#8217;s our guide to enjoying Christmas in Milan!<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_80 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/christmas-in-milan\/#Christmas_markets_in_Milan\" >Christmas markets in Milan<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/christmas-in-milan\/#More_Christmas_shopping_in_Milan\" >More Christmas shopping in Milan<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/christmas-in-milan\/#The_prettiest_Christmas_decorations_in_Milan\" >The prettiest Christmas decorations in Milan<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/christmas-in-milan\/#Holiday_hours_for_Milans_churches_and_museums\" >Holiday hours for Milan&#8217;s churches and museums<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/christmas-in-milan\/#Holiday_hours_for_Milans_stores_restaurants_and_public_transport\" >Holiday hours for Milan&#8217;s stores, restaurants, and public transport<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/christmas-in-milan\/#Celebrating_Christmas_like_the_Milanese_do_including_midnight_Mass\" >Celebrating Christmas like the Milanese do (including midnight Mass)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/christmas-in-milan\/#How_to_celebrate_the_New_Year_in_Milan\" >How to celebrate the New Year in Milan<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Christmas_markets_in_Milan\"><\/span>Christmas markets in Milan<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Christmas officially kicks off on December 7, better known as the local holiday that celebrates St. Ambrogio, Milan&#8217;s patron saint. The season always opens with the &#8220;O Bej, O Bej&#8221; Christmas market (which means &#8220;oh how nice!&#8221; in Milanese dialect). As they have for centuries, every year, hundreds of stands set up in front of Castello Sforzesco, selling everything from\u00a0local delicacies like<em> panettone<\/em> (a sweet Christmas bread) to handmade goods.<\/p>\n<p>Not enough holiday shopping for you? Get lost in the thousands of stands at the Artigiano in Fiera, which takes place at the Rho Fiera Exhibition Center during the first 10 days of December.<\/p>\n<p>(For more, check out our post on <a href=\"https:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/all-around-italy\/christmas-markets-italy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">10 of the best Christmas markets in Italy<\/a>!).<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"More_Christmas_shopping_in_Milan\"><\/span>More Christmas shopping in Milan<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div id=\"attachment_6005\" style=\"width: 570px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/window-shopping-milan-christmas-credit-paolo-bona.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-6005\" class=\" wp-image-6005 \" title=\"Christmas in Milan\" src=\"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/window-shopping-milan-christmas-credit-paolo-bona.jpg\" alt=\"At Christmas, Milan's window displays are even more stunning!\" width=\"560\" height=\"370\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/window-shopping-milan-christmas-credit-paolo-bona.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/window-shopping-milan-christmas-credit-paolo-bona-768x508.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 560px) 100vw, 560px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-6005\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">At Christmas, Milan&#8217;s window displays are even more stunning! Photo by Paolo Bona<\/p><\/div>\n<p>If you&#8217;ve missed the markets, no worries: Milan has plenty of other shopping opportunities. Take a stroll down one of Milan&#8217;s most stylish streets, like Via Monte Napoleone or Corso Buenos Aires, to admire the decked-out windows and browse the latest fashions. (For more, check out\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/milan\/shopping-in-milan\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">our guide on where to shop in Milan<\/a>!). But don&#8217;t expect to find many deals: While some chains offer holiday sales, most major discounts start the second week of January.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_5984\" style=\"width: 614px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/12858_1237555543490_2736577_n.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5984\" class=\"wp-image-5984 size-full\" title=\"Christmas lights in Milan\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/12858_1237555543490_2736577_n.jpg\" alt=\"Christmas in Milan\" width=\"604\" height=\"453\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-5984\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Festive lights at Milan&#8217;s Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie<\/p><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_prettiest_Christmas_decorations_in_Milan\"><\/span>The prettiest Christmas decorations in Milan<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>As the sun goes down, the lights go up. Come Christmas, colorful lights dazzle the city&#8217;s architecture and piazzas\u2014even the trams!<\/p>\n<p>Our favorite spots to experience the festive decorations include the Christmas tree in Piazza Duomo, the dazzling dome in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and the majestic Castello Sforzesco. Or head up the Torre Branca in Parco Sempione for a panoramic view of all of Milan&#8217;s Christmas lights at once. (More on the Torre Branca in\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/milan\/parco-sempione-milan\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">our post on Milan&#8217;s Parco Sempione<\/a>!).<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Holiday_hours_for_Milans_churches_and_museums\"><\/span>Holiday hours for Milan&#8217;s churches and museums<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Milan is home to some of the most acclaimed art in the world, from its Gothic Duomo to elegant opera house, Renaissance masterpieces to avant-garde design. If you&#8217;re coming over Christmas, be aware that some of these sites close over the holidays, particularly on December 25 and January 1.<\/p>\n<p>Here&#8217;s a cheat sheet to what&#8217;s open, when:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Leonardo Da Vinci&#8217;s <em>Last Supper<\/em>:<\/strong> Closed on Mondays, December 25 and January 1. For more details, don&#8217;t miss our guide to\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/milan\/last-supper-tickets\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">making the most out of visiting the <em>Last Supper<\/em><\/a>!<br \/>\n<strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.duomomilano.it\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Duomo Terrace<\/a><\/strong>, for an up-close look at the Cathedral and for breathtaking views of the city: Closed Dec. 25.<br \/>\n<strong><a href=\"http:\/\/museodelnovecento.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Museo del Novecento<\/a>,\u00a0<\/strong>for 20th-century art: Open every day.<br \/>\n<strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.milanocastello.it\/ing\/info.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Castello Sforzesco<\/a>,<\/strong>\u00a0Milan&#8217;s famed 15th-century castle: Open every day, but its museums close on Mondays, Dec. 25 and Jan. 1.<br \/>\n<strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.triennale.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Triennale<\/a>, <\/strong>for\u00a0contemporary art and design: Closed on\u00a0Mondays, Dec. 25 and Jan. 1.<br \/>\n<strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.brera.beniculturali.it\/HomePage\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Pinacoteca di Brera<\/a><\/strong>, a museum with a\u00a0large, excellent collection of Renaissance paintings: Closed on\u00a0Mondays, Dec. 25 and Jan. 1.<br \/>\n<strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.artpalazzoreale.it\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Palazzo Reale<\/a>,\u00a0<\/strong>a\u00a0royal palace with temporary exhibits: Open from 9:30am to 2:30pm on Dec. 24 and 31, 2:30pm to 7:30pm on Dec. 25 and Jan. 1.<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.teatroallascala.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Teatro alla Scala<\/strong><\/a>, the world-famous opera house: La Scala has many performances scheduled throughout the holiday season. Tickets usually sell out quickly, so make sure to\u00a0book well ahead of time!<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Holiday_hours_for_Milans_stores_restaurants_and_public_transport\"><\/span>Holiday hours for Milan&#8217;s stores, restaurants, and public transport<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Most stores and restaurants close down on Christmas, even the huge Rinascente department store. A handful are open, but when it comes to dining on Christmas Eve and Day, make your reservations in advance; some of our favorite spots open for holiday meals are\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.aimoenadia.com\/?lang=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Il Luogo di Aimo e Nadia<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.algarghet.it\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Al Garghet<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Antica Hostaria della Lanterna <em>(Via Giuseppe Mercalli, 3)<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>Want to get out of the city for the holidays? Milan&#8217;s central location makes it easy to reach both the lakes (Lago Maggiore and Lake Como) and the Alps (like Valtellina and Courmayeur) in less than two hours! Trains and public transportation do run on Christmas Day, but service may be limited. Check out our guide to\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/milan\/public-transport-milan\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">public transport in Milan<\/a>\u00a0before planning your trip.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Celebrating_Christmas_like_the_Milanese_do_including_midnight_Mass\"><\/span>Celebrating Christmas like the Milanese do (including midnight Mass)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>In preparation for Christmas Day, Italians usually enjoy a multiple-course fish dinner with family, followed by midnight Mass.<\/p>\n<p>The vigil Mass at the Duomo with the Archbishop begins at 11:30pm, but arrive at least two hours earlier to snag a spot in the church. Other popular midnight Mass and Christmas Day services are celebrated at the churches of Sant&#8217;Ambrogio and Santa Maria delle Grazie.<\/p>\n<p>Christmas Mass in English is sometimes available at Chiesa Santa Maria del Carmine, but is not scheduled every year.<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-15846\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/panettone-1696144_1920.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/>\n<p>Panettone\u2014a\u00a0sweet Christmas bread with candied fruit\u2014originated in Milan and is a staple across Italy at Christmas. It&#8217;s often given as a gift and served at dessert. We love the panettone from Marchesi and Peck, but be prepared to wait in line!\u00a0(Don&#8217;t miss our post on\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/food-and-wine\/italian-christmas-treats-pandoro-panettone-italy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">panettone<\/a><em><a href=\"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/food-and-wine\/italian-christmas-treats-pandoro-panettone-italy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\u00a0<\/a><\/em><a href=\"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/food-and-wine\/italian-christmas-treats-pandoro-panettone-italy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">and Italy&#8217;s other Christmas cakes<\/a>!).<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_celebrate_the_New_Year_in_Milan\"><\/span>How to celebrate the New Year in Milan<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>New Year&#8217;s Eve is a fabulous celebration in Milan, with many of the city&#8217;s uber-trendy clubs offering packages that include aperitivo, dinner and dancing. Some of the most popular locales are Byblos, Gattopardo, and Milan&#8217;s designer-owned clubs, like Armani Priv\u00e9 and Just Cavalli.<\/p>\n<p>The city also offers more budget-friendly celebrations like fireworks at Castello Sforzesco, parties outside at Piazza Duomo, and bars on the Navigli canals and around the nearby Colonne di San Lorenzo piazza.<\/p>\n<p>As on Christmas Day, most restaurants and shops close on New Year&#8217;s Day, letting workers celebrate the new year and spend time with family.<\/p>\n<p>Although the Epiphany\u00a0on Jan. 6 isn&#8217;t as commonly celebrated as in other central and southern Italian cities, Milan celebrates the holy day with a procession from Piazza Duomo to the church of Sant&#8217;Eustorgio (near the Navigli area), with a reenactment of the march of the Three Kings.<\/p>\n<p><em>If you&#8217;re coming to Italy over Christmas, don&#8217;t miss our post on celebrating <a href=\"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/florence\/florence-at-christmas\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Christmas and New Year&#8217;s in Florence<\/a>, too!<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Christmas in Milan isn&#8217;t just beautiful\u2014it&#8217;s the perfect place and season to get some shopping done! One of the world&#8217;s most renowned shopping destinations, Milan lights up during the holidays with miles of designer stores, unique boutiques and outdoor markets, making it the perfect destination for getting through your Christmas list. But even if you&#8217;re [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":28,"featured_media":6003,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[88,17],"ppma_author":[160],"class_list":["post-5981","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-things-to-do","tag-christmas","tag-milan"],"authors":[{"term_id":160,"user_id":28,"is_guest":0,"slug":"walksofitaly-2","display_name":"Elena Ciprietti","avatar_url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/9faa64906a691c0581a37e3599ce455d?s=96&d=mm&r=g","user_url":"","last_name":"","first_name":"Elena Ciprietti","job_title":"","description":""}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5981"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/28"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5981"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5981\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22161,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5981\/revisions\/22161"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6003"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5981"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5981"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5981"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=5981"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}