Spend Christmas in Milan in 2024 | Midnight Mass, baked goodies, shopping, and more!

1. Go for the Midnight Mass

If you're looking for a holy experience this Christmas, visit the Milan Cathedral for Midnight Mass and celebrate Christmas the right way. Enjoy the wintry Milan snack called Caldarroste, which is basically roasted chestnuts. They are sold outside the cathedral, which is just icing on the cake. 

Milan churches where you can go to attend Midnight Mass: 

• Milan Cathedral
• Santa Maria del Carmine Church | Find on Map
• Basilica di San Babila| Find on Map
• Santa Maria della Passione | Find on Map

2. Do some festive shopping at Christmas markets

Milan has all kinds of Christmas markets set up around the city where you can buy goods at a discounted price. But the best thing to buy from these markets is clothes as Milan is among the four fashion capitals of the world. You might be able to get a good deal on the trendiest clothes.

Visit the Christmas markets here:

• Artigiano in Fiera | Find on Map
• Piazza del Duomo | Find on Map
• Oh Bej Oh Bej | Find on Map
• Villaggio delle Meraviglie | Find on Map

3. Take a stroll and watch Milan's Christmas lights

Milan knows how to celebrate Christmas, and this is evident when you see the streets during the festival. All the streets are bright and sparkling, with beautiful decorations around every corner. Take a stroll and see Milan dressed up in Christmas lights, celebrating the festival in a gorgeous setting.

Head here to watch Christmas lights:

• Via della Spiga | Find on Map
• Via Dante | Find on Map
• Via dei Mercanti | Find on Map
• Via Monte Napoleone | Find on Map

4. Have a feast at Milan's best restaurants

Nobody can say no to good food, especially when it's at the best restaurants in Milan. Get your group together, wear loose pants and dive into lip-smacking Italian delicacies on Christmas day. After all, Christmas always calls for a huge feast, right?

What and where to eat in Milan during Christmas:

• Creamy Risotto, Ossobuco or Vitello Tonnato at Ratanà | Find on Map
• Tonnato, Tartare and Vitello at Trattoria Trippa | Find on Map
• Prosciutto, Fajitas and Tortelloni at Seta | Find on Map
• Seafood at Langosteria | Find on Map

5. Shop at high-end stores

One thing you can never go wrong with in Milan is fashion. It is one of the four fashion capitals of the world, where you will find luxurious Italian and world-renowned brands. Treat yourself this Christmas with a visit to these stores, dress up for the festival, and feel your stunning self.

Visit these stores at Ponte Vecchio:

• Versace |  Find on Map
• Gucci | Find on Map
• Fendi | Find on Map
• Giorgio Armani | Find on Map

6. Take advantage of the snow with a skiing trip

December in Milan is all about snow as the temperature goes down to 4°C and below throughout. Why not take advantage of the weather and book a skiing trip near Milan? Slide through the snow-laden peaks and have the time of your life this Christmas.

Find the best skiing destinations near Milan here:

• Courmayeur | Find on Map
• Cervinia Valtournenche | Find on Map
• Sestriere | Find on Map
• Bormio | Find on Map

7. Spend an evening with music

Want to have an elegant time on your visit to Milan during Christmas? Watch an opera or musical at Milan's oldest theatres around the festive week. You can catch some special Christmas musicals and shows at Milan theatres and admire the brilliant architecture as well.

Watch Christmas special shows at these theatres:

• Teatro alla Scala | Find on Map
• Teatro Dal Verme | Find on Map
• Opera Milano | Find on Map
• Teatro Carcano | Find on Map

8. Taste Italian desserts at Milan's bakeries

Got a little bit of a sweet tooth? Don't forget to indulge in some Italian desserts during Christmas and treat your taste buds. Milan's bakeries are famous for their sweet delicacies with recipes that have been consistent for years. And what better time to enjoy them than Christmas?

Visit these bakeries in Milan:

• Princi | Find on Map
• Bar Pasticceria Rovida | Find on Map
• The King's Italian Bakery | Find on Map
• Panarello | Find on Map

9. Head straight to Galleria Vittorio Emanuele

Christmas celebrations are incomplete without a Christmas tree. And you know what's better than a Christmas tree? A giant Christmas tree decorated with thousands of ornaments and lights at Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, Milan's historic shopping gallery. It is a famous landmark in the city, visited by many people during Christmas week.

11. Spend Christmas ice skating

A snowy Milan calls for snowy adventures. Lucky for you, Milan has many! You can spend Christmas at Milan's skating rinks, especially when you have kids with you. It is a fun way to spend the festival and connect with your loved ones.

Go ice skating at these famous rinks:

• Piazza Gae Aulenti | Find on Map
• P.za Cesare Beccaria | Find on Map
• Largo Cairoli | Find on Map
• Bagni Misteriosi | Find on Map

12. Visit museums during Christmas week

Italy has many renowned museums visited by people all over the world. Milan, being the capital city, is home to many such museums. While they are closed on Christmas Day, you can still visit them on other days around 25th December and learn more about arts and culture.

Some must-see pieces in Milan's museums are:

• The Dead Christ and Three Mourners at Pinacoteca di Brera | Find on Map
• Portrait of Paul Guillaume by Amedeo Modigliani at Museo del Novecento | Find on Map
• Christo's Early Works 1958-1963 at Fondazione Prada | Find on Map
• Portrait of a Musician by Leonardo da Vinci at Pinacoteca Ambrosiana | Find on Map