Milan, the fashion capital of Italy, transforms into a magical winter wonderland during the Christmas season. With its charming Christmas markets, dazzling lights, and festive atmosphere, Milan offers a unique and unforgettable experience for visitors of all ages. Milan at Christmas is a truly special experience. With its festive atmosphere, stunning decorations, and endless activities, Milan is the perfect destination for a memorable Christmas getaway.
Christmas is the time when we can all become a little child again and savour the magic of the holidays: the presents under the tree, the warmth of family and evenings spent with friends. And then the desire to be amazed by going back to looking at the city with curious eyes. Here we suggest what to do in Milan this Christmas. The trees spread around the city, and there were lights, Christmas markets, shopping, art to see, and the La Scala premiere. And then how can we forget panettone, the Milanese dessert that has become the sweet symbol of Christmas for everyone?
A unique food: the “panettone”
It’s good to enjoy all year round; at Christmas, it has a special flavour. Panettone, born in Milan, has now become the sweet symbol of the Holidays throughout Italy: there is no table where it is not present, from Immaculate Conception to Epiphany. In the city, you will find it easy to find a pastry shop or bakery where you can buy the right panettone to bring to the table.
Even on your journey, you will discover it on the menu of some starred chef or restaurant revisited or used as a special ingredient in a dish. However, suppose you want to try traditional artisan panettone. In that case, you can download the map of pastry shops and bakeries in Milan, Monza Brianza and Lodi that produce the cake following the typical recipe. Or, download Too Good To Go’s “Save the Panettone” app to discover low-cost stores that sell it without having to throw it away as it nears expiration.
And for those who want to go off the usual taste itineraries, there’s the Tablo app, which especially allows foreigners and tourists visiting Milan to make friends among restaurant tables to give feedback and advice on their Milan stops.
Light your Christmas Tree
Milan never disappoints when it comes to Christmas trees shining in the streets and squares. Once again, this year, they will be protagonists in many areas of the city, thanks to Christmas Trees, an initiative born from an idea by Marco Balich. Lit at the CityLife District, Milan’s innovative urban district, the first Christmas tree with artificial intelligence. The installation has a technological heart that can interact with people, recognise their emotions and change colour depending on the prevailing sentiment. Until January 6, therefore, visitors will be able to interact with the tree thanks to the special cell phones provided by the ‘Santa’s elves’ present in Three Towers Square, or by using the totems in the CityLife area.
Simply taking a selfie will be enough to convey one’s emotions to the tree. Every day, the technological heart of the fir tree, equipped with dual artificial intelligence, will receive and analyse the images, attributing a certain colour to different moods, ranging from red to white. Every 15 minutes, the tree will show – with special lighting effects – the dominant sentiment, which is precisely the result of the shots received. The accuracy of the readings has been verified by the VRAI (Vision, Robotics and Artificial Intelligence) research group of the Department of Information Engineering at Marche Polytechnic University. While the production of the tree is owed to smartphone giant Huawei. To interact, simply download the StorySign app from mobile stores.
A step into the Italian art
The free masterpiece exhibit at Palazzo Marino, a beloved event without which it cannot be called Christmas in Milan, returns this year. Every year, thousands of Milanese and tourists can admire works of art from other cities housed in the striking Sala Alessi in the building that houses the City Hall, accompanied by guides who illustrate the magic of art. The work on display for Christmas 2024 from December 4 to January 12, 2025, is the Madonna and Child with Saints Simon and Judas, known as “The Madonna of Saint Simon,” by Federico Barocci.
The free guided tours of Palazzo Marino also provide an opportunity to discover Sala Alessi. This is the Hall of Honor where, under the cornice, are twelve frescoes depicting the Nine Muses and the gods Apollo, Bacchus and Mercury. Two large busts placed at the portals represent Mars and Minerva. Several earthenware bas-reliefs tell mythological stories. The Yellow Room, with the damask on the walls and its Bohemian crystal chandelier or even the Green Room, the most famous in Palazzo Marino for being the birthplace of Marianna de Leyva, otherwise known as the Monaca di Monza. The courtyard of honour, the grand staircase, the loggia, and the Clock Room are other fascinating rooms to see when booking a free tour. An opportunity to take advantage of. You can download the DUOMO MILANO – Official App from mobile stores to learn more about individual museums.
A very long Christmas shopping
The store windows of the big stores are so beautiful that they leave adults and children alike speechless, and they frame the walks to find just the right gift. A trip to the Christmas markets is a must! From December 1, 2024, to January 6, 2025, the most awaited and beloved market by the Milanese and tourists returns along the cathedral perimeter: the Christmas market in Piazza Duomo.
As per tradition, the characteristic wooden Christmas houses host food, clothes and objects perfect for a gift to give to those who love us most, while Santa’s house awaits all children to celebrate together, with events designed for them and a life-size nativity scene. As per tradition at the Village of Wonders at the Indro Montanelli Gardens, you cannot miss a skating rink. It is a double rink that is partly covered and heated and partly outdoors and is the largest in northern Italy. You can skate with your own skates or rent them on-site, and it is open daily from November 16 to January 6, 2025. Info and tickets at this address: https://villaggiodellemeraviglie.com.
