Christmas Markets in Italy

Last year my daughters and I were in Italy for the Christmas season and one of our favorite activities was attending the Christmas Markets. Our favorite market was in Florence. Located in the square in front of Santa Croce, we felt like we were transported to a Medieval Christmas wonderland. There were handcrafted items from all over Europe. My daughter purchased a lovely scarf from Romania; we snacked on delectable chocolate from Switzerland, sausages from Germany and enjoyed a beer from Ireland.

Christmas markets pop-up all-over Italy from the third week of November through the Epiphany on January 6^th. Wandering through these festive markets puts you in the Christmas spirit. Shop for local handcrafted goods, wooden toys, nativity figurines, regional delicacies (candied nuts, sweets), and unique ornaments. Many markets feature not only Italian items, but regional specialties from throughout Europe. Northern Italian markets tend to have an Alpine vibe whereas the markets in the South focus more on the presepi (nativity) and festive town squares.

Christmas Markets:

Rome (Piazza Navona):  Featuring stalls with Italian crafts especially Nativity Figures and everything Befana along with Italian specialties including porchetta sandwiches, toffee apples, giant doughnuts, roasted chestnuts, and mulled wine and lots of candy.

Florence (Piazza Santa Croce): Alpine-style market in a classic Tuscan setting, featuring vendors from all over Europe. Wooden cottages filled with European goods, including handcrafted ornaments, ceramics, jewelry, clothing, and unique gifts. Enjoy international cuisine including German bratwurst, Belgian waffles, Dutch crepes, pretzels, chocolate, mulled wine and more.

Venice (Campo Santo Stefano): A small market centered around a festive ice-skating rink. Vendors selling local crafts, food, decorations, and featuring entertainment.

Milan (Piazza Duomo Market) – Over 60 wooden chalets featuring handmade crafts, leather, cashmere, ornaments, jewelry and unique Italian designs and delicious treats such as Panettone, roasted chestnuts, candied nuts, porchetta sandwiches, cheeses and chocolate.

Bologna – Bologna offers several different Christmas markets. Fiera di Santa Lucia (Saint Lucy Fair): This market specializes in nativity figures, ornaments and local traditional gifts. Fiera di Natale: Located near the San Pietro Cathedral and featuring Christmas handicrafts and sweets. Villaggio di Natale Francese (French Christmas Village): French themed market on Piazza Minghetti featuring French cheeses, chocolate, pâtés, mustards, and handcrafted goods.

Verona (From Piazzetta Municipio and Piazzetta Melvin Jones to Piazza dei Signori) - often called Christkindlmarkt with stalls selling German-inspired crafts, Italian gifts, food, and drinks, featuring a giant Christmas tree and festive lights.

Gubbio, Umbria - (Piazza dei Quaranta Martiri) - Wooden stalls selling artisanal goods, nativity scenes, and local culinary delights. On the Piazza is the entrance to ChristmasLand, where you can ride the North Pole Ferris wheel and see the International Exhibition of Nativity Art set up in the exhibition hall of the Logge dei Tiratoi.  Children will delight to see Santa's sleigh and the little train. And, Gubbio is home to the World’s Largest Christmas Tree, a massive light display on Mount Ingino which is lit on December 7.

Naples (Via San Gregorio Armeno in Naples) – Not a Christmas Market per se, but “Christmas Alley" is the place to purchase nativity sets and individual figures. Generations of artisans handcraft and sell elaborate, detailed nativity scenes and individual figures all year round.

Bolzano (Piazza Walther) - Italy's largest and most traditional market featuring 80 Alpine-style stalls with crafts, local foods like vin brûlée and apple strudel, and festive lights, offering a blend of Austrian and Italian Christmas charm in the Dolomites. 

Trento (Piazza Fiera & Piazza Cesare Battisti) - A blend of Italian warmth and Alpine tradition, with music, lights, and festive ambiance. Handmade wooden toys, local ceramics, textiles, regional wines, cured meats, cheeses, and Christmas decorations. Warm vin brulé (mulled wine), apple strudel, local pastries, and other mountain specialties.

Aosta (Piazza Chanoux, Piazza Caveri) - charming Alpine-style winter village featuring wooden chalets selling local crafts (wood, wool, ceramics) and regional foods (Fontina cheese, mulled wine), all set amongst Roman ruins and medieval architecture for a unique blend of history and holiday spirit.

Taormina (Giardini della Villa Comunale) - a festive experience set against the backdrop of the charming hilltop town's historic streets and views of Mount Etna. Stalls sell traditional handmade Sicilian crafts, festive decorations, local sweets (like buccellato), Modica chocolate, Caltagirone ceramics, Sicilian puppets and traditional Sicilian puppets. Expect roasted chestnuts, Sicilian cakes, and seasonal treats, often accompanied by Christmas music.

Perugia (Rocca Paolina) - Natale alla Rocca is a unique Italian holiday event held in the historic underground fortress of Rocca Paolina, transforming its ancient vaults into a magical market with stalls selling local crafts, Perugia chocolates and Umbrian foods.