Christmas in Italy

Winter in the Dolomites feels like stepping into a snow-dusted film set: sharp limestone peaks, pine forests heavy with snow, and villages that look almost too pretty to be real. This corner of northern Italy is only going to be more in the spotlight thanks to the Winter Olympics this year, hav

Rai 1’s big New Year’s Eve celebration, L’Anno che Verrà, will take place this year on the seafront in Catanzaro, Calabria, with a star-studded line-up and a charismatic host.

Monopoli, a charming town on the Adriatic coast of Puglia, comes alive at Christmas. The historic centre, with its white streets, ancient churches, and picturesque squares, is transformed with festive lights and decorations, offering visitors a unique Mediterranean Christmas atmosphere.

If you spend winter in Italy, you’ll start seeing colourful biglietti for Lotteria Italia in every tobacco shop and motorway service station.

Looking for the best Italian villages to visit at Christmas?

What do Italians do at Christmas? Food, family and faith lie at the heart of the season, creating a rich tapestry of festive customs that vary from region to region.

Milan at Christmas hums with festive buzz, lights draped over grand arcades and the Duomo standing as a living symbol of the season.

The Christmas markets return to the heart of beautiful Bolzano, filling the city with festive lights, alpine scents and traditional flavours until 6 January.

Italian New Year’s Eve traditions hum along the edges of winter nights, a mix of old superstitions and quiet rituals that slip into the evening without fuss.

Epiphany events in Italy 2026 bring a lovely, old‑world buzz across the country, as communities lean into parades, regattas and bonfires.

There’s a quiet magic to the Feast of the Epiphany in Italy, the kind that slips from folklore into everyday life before you’ve noticed.

Snow-covered streets, twinkling lights, festive markets, and Alpine traditions—San Candido in December is the perfect destination for a magical Christmas in the Dolomites.

December in Italy is filled with festive charm, but the month goes far beyond Christmas markets and seasonal lights. Italy’s cultural calendar for December 2025 includes major art exhibitions, international fairs and renowned music festivals.

Wondering where to spend Christmas in Italy 2025? Italy is one of the most magical destinations for the holiday season, offering a blend of festive traditions, stunning scenery, and unforgettable experiences.

The Christmas lights in Turin in 2025 form the famous Luci d’Artista, a long‑running open‑air collection by Italian and international artists.

The Christmas lights in Salerno are the heart of Luci d’Artista, one of Italy’s most beloved winter events. Each year, the city becomes an open‑air gallery, with the historic centre stitched together by large‑scale artworks in light.

Milan does Christmas with a designer’s eye and a big heart.

As December settles in, Christmas lights in Rome 2025 bring a calm, steady glow to the city’s streets and piazzas.

Planning a holiday in Italy this December? From snow-dusted ski resorts to picturesque villages glowing with Christmas lights, Italy offers the perfect winter escape. Explore its historic cities, where festive charm and cultural attractions create an unforgettable holiday atmosphere.

Italy turns properly festive in winter, and the country's Christmas markets span snow‑dusted Alpine towns and storied city squares, with artisan crafts, nativity scenes and the scent of mulled wine in the air.

The 8th of December is Italy’s Feast of the Immaculate Conception, a nationwide public holiday that quietly kicks off the Christmas season.

Italy does festive glow with a bit of theatre. Big switch‑ons usually roll out late November, and most displays stay up through Epiphany.

Christmas in Italy is all about long tables, clinking glasses and recipes that only come out once a year.

Planning a winter holiday in Italy sets you up for an intimate, atmospheric season: twinkling piazzas, wood‑panelled trattorie and mountains glittering under cold blue skies. With time‑honoured traditions and shorter hours, matching your dates to the mood you want keeps things smooth.

While some other countries in the EU seem to be relaxing their rules over the Christmas holidays, the Italian Government has announced it will crack down on travel both to and within Italy. Italy has announced a range of new COVID-19 rules and restrictions for the Christmas period in 2020,