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Christmas markets in Italy: What are those to visit to fully experience the magical atmosphere of Christmas?
In this article we have selected the best Christmas markets, the most evocative and that will make you spend pleasant moments among decorations, lights, decorations, gifts to choose for your loved ones and gastronomic delicacies characteristic of one of the most beautiful times of the year.
Wandering through the most beautiful Christmas markets in Italy is one of the best ways to celebrate one of the most felt and important festivals in our country.
But, among the many Christmas markets that are organized in every Italian region, which are the ones that you absolutely must not miss?
In this article we will point out the 5 cities in which markets are set up that have become part of the tradition and history not only of those places, but of Italy as a whole.
Here where and when you can live Christmas in all its magic:
• Bolzano’s Christmas Market: from November 22, 2018 to January 6, 2019;
•Trento’s Christmas Market: from November, 24, 2018 to January 6,2019;
• Florence’s Christmas Market: from November 30, 2018 to December 18, 2018;
• Milan’s Christmas Market: to December 6,2018 to December 8, 2018;
• Naples’ Christmas Market: the famous walk among the shepherds of San Gregorio Armeno.
Christmas markets in Italy
Among the many Christmas markets that are organized in Italy we first suggest you the Christmas markets of Bolzano, among the most famous and visited thanks to the 250 wooden houses decorated with typical Christmas decorations.
South Tyrol is the “homeland” of the Christmas markets because it’s precisely in this region that the most characteristic and traditional ones are organized, thanks also to the contribution of the suggestive landscape offered by the enchanted atmosphere of the snow-capped mountains.
In addition to those of Bolzano, the most famous are those of Bressanone, Brunico, Merano and Vipiteno, although many other small towns in South Tyrol have their traditions and their Christmas events.
Walking through the Christmas markets of Bolzano means breathing the typical aromas of Christmas spices and savoring the traditional food and wine specialties of those places, perhaps accompanied by the typical Christmas carols and a good glass of mulled wine.
The 250 wooden houses are set up in the central Piazza Walther, which turns into a place where the atmosphere of Christmas is toucable in all its aspects!
Christmas markets in Bolzano
If you are planning to celebrate a typical Christmas in Italy and you want to visit the most beautiful Christmas markets, you cannot miss those of Trento, a meeting point between Italian and German culture.
And it is from the German culture that this city has inherited one of the most important and well-known traditions, that of the “Christkindlmarkt”, the “Markets of St. Nicholas“, whose origins date back to the XIVth Century.
Although less recent than those of Bolzano, the first edition of Trento Christmas markets was held in 1993 (that of Bolzano in 1991) and, starting from that year, they were among the most visited by tourists: to consider that the historical record reached in one of the editions was 530 thousand visitors.
Those of Trento are markets that are set up in two different squares: one in Piazza Fiera and the other in Piazza CesareBattisti.
The stands and the typical wooden houses decorated for the festivity don’t offer only handicrafts, but also gastronomic delicacies to taste while wandering in a suggestive atmosphere and …
Christmas markets in Trento
After suggesting you what Christmas markets visit in South Tyrol, we move to Tuscany, precisely in Florence, also a city that for Christmas turns into a real “Weihnachtsmarkt”, a German Christmas market.
In the central and beautiful Piazza Santa Croce are in fact set up the typical wooden houses where you can find gifts, decorations for the home and food products, Florentine and not.
You will be able to taste typical German specialties, such as the traditional dish of wrustel and sauerkraut, pork shanks, bretzel and tasty apple strudel.
But that’s not all, because some of the European countries (France, Austria, Holland, Greece, Poland and Czechoslovakia) are taking part in the Christmas markets of Florence, displaying their typical products and, of course, the local producers of Florentine delicacies.
In addition to the gastronomic specialties to taste, is possible listen to Christmas carols and watch shows for both adults and children.
Christmas markets in Florence
In Milan, Christmas festivities start early!
In fact, in the Lombard capital, the Christmas atmosphere starts to feel as early as December 7, the day of the feast of Sant’Ambrogio, the patron saint of the city, when starts the traditional “Oh Bej! Oh Bej” exhibition.
This event is part of the history of the Milanese tradition, since its origins date back to 1510.
The “Oh Bej! Oh Bej “has long been set up around the Basilica of Sant’Ambrogio but, in recent years, has moved near one of the symbols of the city: the CastelloSforzesco, which has a wider perimeter perfect to accommodate the many visitors, tourists and Milaneses.
Also for this event stands and stalls are set up that shown different products: in fact, participate in artisans, florists, toys, sellers of sweets and books, but not only.
During the fair “Oh Bej! Oh Bej ” is possible taste the traditional smoked chestnuts or the first artisans panettone!
And here’s a little curiosity: it seems that the name of the exhibtion derives from the phrases in the Milanese dialect that the children exclaimed at the sight of sweets and toys brought as present by Pope GiannettoCastiglioni’s correspondent in 1510.
In fact, in Italian, the name of the exhibition means “Oh beautiful! Oh beautiful! “.
Fair of the “Oh Bej! Oh Bej” in Milan
One of the symbols of Christmas in Italy is certainly San Gregorio Armeno, a street so famous that it needs no introduction.
What is its peculiarity?
As you take this characteristic road of Naples, one of the most famous in the world, you are surrounded by a festive atmosphere typical of Christmas, thanks to the stands and shops that sell real works of art.
San Gregorio Armeno, in fact, is famous throughout the world for the exposition of fine nativity scenes and figurines of shepherds, made by professional handicraftsman: a sort of open-air museum that you can visit all the year.
Christmas markets in San Gregorio Armeno, Naples
In fact, not only during the Christmas period, it’s possible to enjoy the beauty of San Gregorio Armeno, but also during all the other months of the year.
Now that you have discovered what are the Christmas markets in Italy that are worth visiting, you just have to choose in which of these events you want to visit and enjoy your holidays among the scents and flavors typical of this important and heartfelt anniversary.
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