10 Things to Do in Milan at Christmas

Milan is an excellent choice for tourists at Christmas, offering entertainment for adults and children. In addition, there are free cultural activities, beautiful places for winter shopping and a colourful atmosphere to enjoy.

If you are wondering what to see and do in Milan during the Christmas season, you will be able to experience the traditions of the Milanese up close by going to the Piazza Duomo for the Christmas tree lighting, skating on the city's ice rinks, taking part in an excursion from Milan to the Swiss Alps and visiting the canals of Navigli, among other activities.

If you are in Milan on 5 December, you have a must-attend event in Piazza del Duomo, as the traditional Christmas tree lighting takes place every year. This is an event full of colour and joy that gives way to the lighting of all the streets of the city.

The imposing Christmas tree will amaze you with its snow-covered branches, the hundreds of hanging ornaments and the glow of the lights. Without a doubt, a real visual spectacle that you must write down among the 10 things to see and do in Milan's Piazza del Duomo at Christmas.

In addition, on that day a street market is set up in the surrounding area for you to taste sweets and Italian street food. You can also buy souvenirs, Christmas objects and winter clothes. And while you're in the area, I recommend booking a guided tour of Milan's Duomo, which is the real star of the square.

Just a few minutes away from Milan Castle, in the old town of Milan, you will find the Sempione Park and, inside it, the Branca Tower, from where you will get an amazing overview of the city and the Christmas lights if you climb up to its steel terrace.

When you reach the tower you will have to take a lift that will allow you to travel inside the 91-metre high structure. Once at the highest point of the Torre Branca, i.e. the top platform, you will enjoy a privileged view of Milan:

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

Practical information

• Where: Sempione Park in Viale Luigi Camoens, 2.
• When: Tuesday and Wednesday from 10.30am to 12.30pm and from 3pm to 6.30pm. Also, Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 am to 2:00 pm, 2:30 pm to 7:30 pm and 9:30 pm to midnight. All these times are subject to change depending on the weather conditions.
• Price: 5 euros. Admission to the Sempione Park is free.
• Duration: the visit lasts approximately 5 minutes.
• Recommendation: I recommend you also book tickets to the Sforzesco Castle in Milan as it is very close by.

If you are in Milan during the month of December, you must try the traditional Christmas desserts. This is an activity you can do on your own, by hopping on one of the best sightseeing buses with free stops or by booking a food tour in Milan. I recommend:

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

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

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

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

You can even climb up 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 have to pay approximately 12 euros. But you can also visit this gallery when 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 tour of the Navigli canals in the month of December is an activity that you can't miss out on as part of the things to do in Milan at night, as with this visit you can enjoy the colourful Christmas atmosphere that the European city has for you.

You will see a blanket of lights over the canals, giving you a beautiful view, ideal for you to take some pictures. You'll also see the picturesque flea markets where you'll find a great display of Christmas products and a myriad of handicrafts, antiques and street food.

As well as strolling along the iconic canals and shopping for souvenirs at the Christmas markets, you can pop into any bar or restaurant in this district to enjoy the aperitif hour from 7pm onwards.

When you book your excursion from Milan to the Swiss Alps you can enjoy some of the most beautiful alpine scenery by taking the scenic route on the famous red Bernina Express train, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

During the journey, you'll see towering glacial lakes, majestic snow-capped mountains and natural beauty that's hard to describe. You will also pass through the Bernina Pass, which is at an altitude of 2250 metres above sea level, until you reach the elegant town of St Moritz.

You can hop off the famous little red train to explore the town and have plenty of time to take in the architecture, admire the snowy scenery and enjoy the Christmas atmosphere. You can also enjoy a cup of coffee or Swiss chocolate before heading back.

Practical information

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

The 7th of December is a very important date for the Milanese, as they celebrate St. Ambroglio who is their patron saint and protector. This celebration also officially welcomes Christmas.

To join in this traditional activity you should head to the Basilica of San Ambroglio and walk around it, where you will find a number of street st alls selling antiques, handicrafts, gastronomy, sweets and a variety of drinks, including the famous spiced wine vin brulé.

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

Practical information

• Where: Piazza Sant'Ambrogio, 15.
• When: from 10:00 am until approximately 11:00 pm.
• Price: free.

If you visit Milan in the month of December, you must stroll through the famous Fashion Quadrilateral, as this district combines the architectural beauty of its buildings with a picturesque Christmas scene worth admiring.

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

You will be surprised by the Christmas lighting of the streets and the decoration of the shop windows, where you will also see seasonal clothing and accessories on display. The architectural style of the buildings as you pass by will also catch your eye.

If you're in Milan for more than three days and want to have fun, head to Piazza Gae Aulenti in the Porta Nuova district. There, you'll find a fabulous rink and a great Christmas atmosphere. On the way to the square you will also see the most modern architectural complex in the city.

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

Once at the skating rink, you can rent a pair of skates and glide across the surface. You can also enjoy a colourful visual spectacle thanks to the fountains' Solar Tree lighting system, which uses the energy accumulated during daylight hours.

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

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

You will have to get on a bus and travel 40 kilometres from Milan to Capriate San Gervasio, where the Leolandia park is located.

Practical information

• Where: Via Vittorio Veneto, 52.
• When: Monday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00. However, these opening hours change in low season and you should check on the official website.
• Price: the average ticket price is 39 euros. Adults over 65 years of age and children between 90 and 119 centimetres tall get a discount. Therefore, they pay approximately 34 euros.

The number of tourists in Milan during the Christmas season is in the intermediate range, i.e. the number of people on the streets is moderate. This is due to the winter weather characteristic of the month of December.

However, lovers of icy landscapes see Milan as an obligatory tourist destination to appreciate the beauty of its natural landscapes under a blanket of snow. It is also the perfect time to take a leisurely stroll through the streets and queue up to get into the city's attractions without the crowds.

During the Christmas period temperatures in the city of Milan can drop to 1°C, so you'll need to keep warm throughout your stay. Be sure to wear winter clothing to conserve body heat for longer and keep these tips in mind:

• Wear three layers of clothing (one close-fitting, one loose-fitting and one loose-fitting). This will keep you warm and control the moisture generated by perspiration.
• Use accessories for your head, neck and hands to protect from the cold the areas that your clothes do not cover. Ideally, wear a hat with ear muffs, a scarf and gloves.
• Don't 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.