Which are the best events happening in December in Italy? Find here the complete list selected by Where Milan. The very best of events in Milan, Rome, Florence, Venice, Sicily, Naples, the Alps and more. Find out where in Italy your events take place and use our personalized map at the end of this page.
EXHIBITION | World Press Photo at Bard Fortress
7 DECEMBER TO 7 JANUARY
Bard, near Milan, Valle d’Aosta (Northern Italy)
Every year from the beginning of December to the beginning of January the World Press Photo itinerant exhibition makes its stop at Bard, in Aosta Valley. In the majestic atmosphere of this huge fortress surrounded by the Alps you can explore the most famous photojournalism award. In addition to the World Press Photo of the year, the contest determines winners of General News, People, Sports, Contemporary Issues, Nature, Portraits, Daily Life, and Spot News.
> Additional info and tickets Official Website of the World Press Photo at Bard Fortress
CHRISTMAS MARKET | Bressanone Christmas Market
23 NOVEMBER TO 6 JANUARY 2021
Bressanone, near Venice, Trentino Alto Adige (Northern Italy)
Nestling around the splendid cathedral, encircled by proud, centuries-old buildings, visitors are met by a colourful world of tempting scents and unique flavours. Unforgettable insights into traditional arts and handicrafts and coach rides for the entire family round off the festive offering. Cribs, made in laborious manual labor, carved wooden figures, candles, glass and ceramic manufactures fascinate and please the eye of the viewer. Taste the typical specialities from Valle Isarco and enjoy the unique atmosphere on the cathedral square.
> Additional info and tickets Official Website of Bressanone’s Christmas Market
CHRISTMAS | Living Nativity Scene in Matera
8 DECEMBER 2021 – 8 JANUARY 2022
Matera, near Naples and Bari, Basilicata (Southern Italy)
The UNESCO ancient town of Matera is probably one of the most famous destinations in Italy. It has gained international attention and fame thanks to its old town, known as “Sassi di Matera”. Habitations, churches, and monasteries, were carved inside the caverns of Matera’s rocks. In the 1950 the government forced the population out if the old town and relocated them in the New Matera. Visiting Matera is a must if in Italy, especially during Christmas time, when actors enact a living Nativity Scene.
> Additional info and tickets Official Website of Matera
FESTIVAL | Florence Light Festival
8 DECEMBER 2021 – 6 JANUARY 2022
Florence, Tuscany (Central Italy)
A huge light festival in one the world’s most charming cities. Florence lights up with F-Light: a month of illumination, video mapping, projections, games of light, art installations, and educational activities in more than 15 locations across the city. Monuments, alleys, and squarer shine brighter than ever.
> Additional info and tickets Official Website of the F-Light Festival
CHRISTMAS MARKET | The Peoples Christmas
23 NOVEMBER 2021 – 6 JANUARY 2022
Rovereto, near Venice, Trentino Alto Adige (Northern Italy)
The People’s Christmas (Natale dei Popoli) is one of the most famous Christmas-related events in Italy. In the Renaissance town of Rovereto (also home to MART – a beautiful museum) artisans and artists from all over the world gathered in a melting pot of people and cultures. An occasion that celebrates the memory of the fallen of every conflict. Every night hundred of tolls and bells resound in the magic atmosphere.
> Additional info and tickets Official Website of the Natale dei Popoli
CHRISTMAS MARKET | Bolzano’s Magic Atmosphere
22 NOVEMBER 2021 TO 6 JANUARY 2022
Bolzano, near Venice, Trentino Alto Adige (Northern Italy)
The region of Trentino Alto Adige is famous for its magic atmosphere during Christmas. Surrounded by the snowy peaks of the Dolomites, almost one hundred stalls fill the alleys of the town of Bolzano with their typical products. A stone’s throw from the region’s legendary ski resorts this is a must visit if you happen to be in Italy during Christmas.
> Additional info and tickets Official Website of Bolzano’s Christmas Market
CHRISTMAS | Christmas Light Festival in the UNESCO village of Alberobello
7 DECEMBER 2021 – 7 JANUARY 2022
Alberobello, near Brindisi, Apulia (Southern Italy)
This village is probably one of the most unique in Italy. Declared UNESCO Heritage it consists of hundreds of “trulli”: the traditional Apulian dry stone huts with conical roofs. Every December this charming and unique village shines with the lights designed by artists on top of the “trulli”. The sight is magic. Worth seeing it if you happen to be in Southern Italy.
> Additional info and tickets Official Website of Alberobello UNESCO Village
GUIDED TOUR | Gran Sasso National Laboratory of Nuclear Physics
OPEN ALL YEAR
L’Aquila, Abruzzo (Central Italy)
Guided tours to the Gran Sasso National Laboratory (LNGS) of Nuclear Physics. One of the most important laboratories in the world for the study of astrophysics and particle physics, this laboratory is located in the stunning landscapes of the Gran Sasso National Park and it features one of the longest underground tunnels in the world.
> Additional info and tickets Official Website of the Gran Sasso Laboratory
EXHIBITION | Grotesque process
OPEN ALL YEAR
Milan, Lombardy (Northern Italy)
In 2006, in order to realize the photographic work Grotto, Thomas Demand, commissioned by Fondazione Prada, used a postcard as his starting point in recreating a grotto located on the island Maiorca. Employing 30 tons of grey cardboard, shaped with the help of a computer and laid out to form a stratification with 900,000 sections, the artist recreated the rock chamber, stalactites and stalagmites displayed on the postcard in order to photograph the work.
> Additional info and tickets Grotesque Process Official Website
LOCAL FOLKLORE | A Very Special Nativity Scene in Cinque Terre
8 DECEMBER 2021 and 28 JANUARY 2022
Manarola – near Cinque Terre, Liguria (Northern Italy)
An Italian tradition of the local area, the light presepe (Nativity Scene) of Manarola, Cinque Terre, is certainly a magic sight. More than 250 life-size figures shine on the hills near Manarola until the end of January. A tradition started by a village man and that has now became a must see if in Cinque Terre.
> Additional info and tickets Official Website of Manarola
LOCAL FOLKLORE | Krampus Night in the Mountains
5 DECEMBER 2021
Various locations – near Venice, Friuli Venezia Giulia and Trentino Alto Adige (Northern Italy)
There is something very charming about Italian rituals: they are usually a mix between Catholicism and Paganism. During the Krampus night, people dressed up as scary devils and roam the streets of the mountain villages of Friuli to scare children and adults. This is a tradition that comes from Saint Nicholas (Santa Klaus) who was told to be helped by angels and devils while delivering presents to children.
> Additional info and tickets for Trentino Alto Adige Krampus Night and Friuli Venezia Giulia Krampus Night
LOCAL FOLKLORE | Nativity Scenes in San Gregorio Armeno
OPEN ALL YEAR
Naples, Campania (Southern Italy)
Nativity scenes are a must in Catholic culture but when in Naples, this tradition changes from simple ritual to art. Neapolitan artisans have been making presepe (nativity scenes) for centuries. In the city area of San Gregorio Armeno there are hundred stalls selling the most original ones. It is no oddity to find a Nativity Scene where Neapolitan house-wives appear next to Jesus while cooking spaghetti or Italian Politician are found as main actors of these scenes. This is a must visit if in Naples.
> No tickets needed
LOCAL FOOD | Zeppola Festival
29-30 DECEMBER 2021
Positano – Amalfi Coast, Campania (Southern Italy)
There is nothing like food to Italians. When it comes to eating, they stand very high both in quality and quantity. Zeppola, also called frittella, is a typical Italian pastry consisting of a deep-fried dough ball topped with sugar and filled with custard, ricotta cream, or honey. It is usually eaten to celebrate Saint Joseph’s Day. Taste it in Positano, in the beautiful scenery of the Amalfi Coast during the Zeppola festival.
> No tickets needed
EXHIBITION | Italian Garden and Superb American Art Collection at Villa Panza
OPEN ALL YEAR
Varese, near Milan, Lombardy (Northern Italy)
A majestic villa from the XVIII century with a superb Italian garden hosts one of the most prominent and important collections of American art in the world. Villa Panza, donated by Giuseppe and Giovanna Panza di Biumo to FAI (Fondo Ambiente Italiano) in 1996 hosts a permanent collection with works by Dan Flavin and James Turrell among others and several temporary exhibitions. This is a must visit if in Milan. We strongly suggest having lunch at the villa’s restaurant facing the garden.
> Additional info and tickets Official Website of Villa Panza
LOCAL FOLKLORE | Sand Nativity Scenes
DECEMBER AND JANUARY 2021-2022
Different areas of the Riviera, Emilia Romagna (Northern Italy)
The art of making the presepe (nativity scenes) is something peculiar to Italian culture. From December to October the riviera of Emilia Romagna region exhibits huge sand hand-maid nativity scenes in different towns of the region.
> Additional info and tickets Official Website of Sand Nativity Scenes
EXHIBITION | Anselm Kiefer at Hangar Bicocca
OPEN ALL YEAR
Milan, Lombardy (Northern Italy)
Since 25 September 2016 Pirelli Hangar Bicocca unveiled the new installation by German contemporary artist Anselm Kiefer. The new show is and expansion of The Seven Heavenly Palaces, a permanent work conceived as a site-specific project in 2004. Five large-format paintings are now on display together with Kiefer’s seven towers.
> Additional info and tickets Official Website of Anselm Kiefer Installation
MUSIC | Opera Season in Florence at Maggio Musicale
OCTOBER TO MARCH
Florence, Tuscany (Central Italy)
The Maggio Musicale Fiorentino is an annual arts festival held in Florence and that includes a very important opera festival. Giuseppe Verdi’s Traviata, George Bizet’s Carmen, Mozart’s and Shostakovich’s concerts are just some of the events on the schedule.
> Additional info and tickets Official Website of Maggio Fiorentino Festival
CHRISTMAS MARKET | Vipiteno Christmas Market
23 NOVEMBER 2021 TO 6 JANUARY 2022
Vipiteno, near Venice, Trentino Alto Adige (Northern Italy)
Situated at almost 1,000 metres above sea level, Vipiteno is a charming small Alpine village located in the Dolomites. Artisans and artists gather in front of the Zwolferturm, built in 1486. Freshly baked pastries, the aroma of mulled wine, local craftsmen and Christtmas tree decorations fill the stalls. Enjoy the magical atmosphere of Advent in the village’s alleys and squares.
> Additional info and tickets Official Website of Vipiteno Christmas Market
FOOD | Palermo Street Food Fest in Sicily
7-17 DECEMBER 2021
Palermo, Sicily (Southern Italy)
Sicily celebrates its regional tradition and bond with food and excellent cuisine. December is the month for the Palermo Street Food Fest: stalls selling local and international delicatessen, music, and local crafts. Palermo is Sicily’s biggest city and one of the most charming in Italy.
> Additional info and tickets Official Website of Palermo Street Food Fest
MUSIC | Strings City Festival in Florence
DECEMBER 2021
Florence, Tuscany (Central Italy)
Strings City is a festival dedicated to stringed instruments such as the violin, the guitar, viola, bass, cello, banjo, and many other instruments. The Festival schedules classical and contemporary concerts. More than 50 venues across the city host these events. A charming way to discover the city.
> Additional info and tickets Official Website of Strings City
MUSIC | Grand Opening of Teatro alla Scala Opera Season
7 DECEMBER 2021
Milan, Lombardy (Northern Italy)
In Milan 7 December hold a special place. It is both the city’s saint patron day (Saint Ambrose) and the opening day of legendary Teatro Alla Scala opera season. A grand opening is scheduled every year, with representatives from the government and city, vips, and Milan’s glamour scene appearing as hosts. Milanese people usually watch the show on a big screen in the Vittorio Emanuele Gallery. It’s a must do, if in Milan in December.
> Additional info and tickets Official Website of the Teatro alla Scala Ticket Office
