Italy does festive glow with a bit of theatre. Big switch‑ons usually roll out late November, and most displays stay up through Epiphany. Italy's Christmas lights in 2025 look set to be a strong year in the main cities, mixing grand trees, artful projections and cosy side streets with a proper festive buzz.
Where to see the best Christmas lights in Italy 2025
For a guaranteed nightscape, keep your plans tight around Rome, Turin, Salerno, Milan, Florence and Venice. Crowds peak at weekends and just before Christmas; late evenings are calmer.
Rome Christmas lights 2025
The city's lights switch on Monday, 8th December, and run until 6th January. The spine is Via del Corso with canopy lights and the giant tree at Piazza Venezia, while St Peter’s Square hosts the Vatican’s towering tree and a traditional Nativity.
The revived Piazza Navona market, church concerts, and crib trails in historic churches add texture. Many museums run late openings in December, and you can pair an evening loop with non-touristy things to do in Rome.
Turin Christmas lights 2025
Turin hosts Italy’s flagship light‑as‑art programme, Luci d'Artista. The light display will flood the city in twinkly lights from 24th October until 11th January. This year, the installation will include works by artists Tracy Emin, Patti Smith, and Philip Glass.
Concerts roll through elegant venues, and chocolate stops in the historic cafés take the edge off the Alpine chill.
Salerno Christmas lights 2025
Salerno's own Luci d’Artista event kicks off from 29th November 2025 until 15th January. Expect themed gardens in the Villa Comunale, immersive tunnels and a long glow along the seafront that’s easy for families and prams.
Food stalls cluster near the centre, and weekend street shows add a bit of revelry. Trains from Naples make it an easy evening trip, though it’s busier on Fridays and Saturdays, so mid‑week brings a calmer flow.
Milan Christmas lights 2025
The official switch-on in Milan is Saturday, 6th December 2025, at 5 pm. This year, the city will feel especially buzzy thanks to the prep for the Olympic Winter Games Milan-Cortina 2026. The big moments are the soaring tree in Piazza Duomo, the glittering dome, and the elegant ribbons of light across the Quadrilatero d’Oro.
Early December brings the city's patron saint festivities, Sant’Ambrogio, with Christmas markets including Oh Bej! Oh Bej! Fair filling the streets. You’ll find classical concerts in handsome churches and plenty of snug aperitivo bars.
Florence Christmas lights 2025
Florence's Christmas lights are switched on in early December until early January. The centre glows around Piazza del Duomo and Via dei Calzaiuoli, while riverside projections near Ponte Vecchio give the cityscape a painterly wash.
The Piazza Santa Croce Christmas market brings Tyrolean‑style stalls, and choirs often pop up in the historic churches. Warm up with a cioccolata calda near Piazza della Repubblica, then explore Florence's many non-touristy things to do to escape the winter crowds.
Venice Christmas lights 2025
The magic in Venice is the way lights ripple on the canals around San Marco and the Rialto, with narrow calli opening onto glowing squares. The big switch-on is set for 21st November, 2025,
Seasonal concerts run in ornate churches, and there’s often a festive boat parade and Epiphany traditions on the water. Use vaporetto lines after dark for a low‑effort lights cruise, then dive into a bàcaro for snacks and a glass of red.
The six at a glance: quick planning notes
- Busiest spots: Rome and Milan weekends
- Most art‑driven: Turin’s Luci d’Artista
- Family‑friendly strolls: Salerno’s seafront
- Best for photos: Venice’s reflections and Florence’s riverside projections.
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