THE CHIARA! CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

What a lovely Christmas!

Markets, little towns and lovely discoveries

An afternoon under the lights. Hot chocolate to share. A gift chosen with love. Your next Christmas memory starts here.

135 guides to choose from

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Photo credits

What kind of Christmas?

Choose where to go. Let Christmas bring the magic.

Today I feel like…

Find a city or date

Every guide A–Z

A family nativity
A handmade Christmas gift, with a story to keep
AachenNorth Rhine-Westphalia · Germany
Acireale — Santa Maria della NeveMetropolitan City of Catania · Sicily · Italy
AlberobelloMetropolitan City of Bari · Apulia · Italy
An Advent wreath at home
AnnecyAuvergne-Rhône-Alpes · France
AostaAosta Valley · Italy
ArezzoProvince of Arezzo · Tuscany · Italy
Assisi · Franciscan placesProvince of Perugia · Umbria · Italy
AstiProvince of Asti · Piedmont · Italy
Avio CastleAutonomous Province of Trento · Trentino-South Tyrol · Italy
Bacoli — Miseno e FusaroMetropolitan City of Napoli · Campania · Italy
BaselBasel-Stadt · Switzerland
BergamoProvince of Bergamo · Lombardy · Italy
BernCanton of Bern · Switzerland
Bologna, Santa Lucia FairMetropolitan City of Bologna · Emilia-Romagna · Italy
BolzanoAutonomous Province of Bolzano · Trentino-South Tyrol · Italy
BormioProvince of Sondrio · Lombardy · Italy
BressanoneAutonomous Province of Bolzano · Trentino-South Tyrol · Italy
BrunicoAutonomous Province of Bolzano · Trentino-South Tyrol · Italy
BrusselsBrussels-Capital · Belgium
BudapestBudapest · Hungary
Bussolengo – FloverProvince of Verona · Veneto · Italy
Cagliari, SardiniaMetropolitan City of Cagliari · Sardinia · Italy
Caltagirone, SicilyMetropolitan City of Catania · Sicily · Italy
Canale di TennoAutonomous Province of Trento · Trentino-South Tyrol · Italy
Candelara, PesaroProvince of Pesaro e Urbino · Marche · Italy
Caserta · Royal PalaceProvince of Caserta · Campania · Italy
Castelsardo, SardiniaMetropolitan City of Sassari · Sardinia · Italy
Castiglione del LagoProvince of Perugia · Umbria · Italy
CataniaMetropolitan City of Catania · Sicily · Italy
Christmas carols and listening
Christmas lights for everyone: free markets and a thoughtful budget
Christmas markets: bring home the light
Christmas markets: rosy cheeks, comfortable feet
Christmas wrapping that deserves a second life
Cimego · QuartinagoAutonomous Province of Trento · Trentino-South Tyrol · Italy
Cinecittà World, Castel Romano, Rome, LazioMetropolitan City of Roma Capitale · Lazio · Italy
ColicoProvince of Lecco · Lombardy · Italy
ColmarGrand Est · France
CologneNorth Rhine-Westphalia · Germany
Copenhagen – TivoliHovedstaden · Denmark
Craft and work in the crib
DresdenSaxony · Germany
EinsiedelnSchwyz · Switzerland
EmpoliMetropolitan City of Firenze · Tuscany · Italy
Erice, SicilyProvince of Trapani · Sicily · Italy
European Christmas flavours
FanoProvince of Pesaro e Urbino · Marche · Italy
Firenze · Santa CroceMetropolitan City of Firenze · Tuscany · Italy
Gaeta, Latina, LazioProvince of Latina · Lazio · Italy
GovoneProvince of Cuneo · Piedmont · Italy
Grandparents and grandchildren
Grazzano ViscontiProvince of Piacenza · Emilia-Romagna · Italy
GreccioProvince of Rieti · Lazio · Italy
GubbioProvince of Perugia · Umbria · Italy
HelsinkiUusimaa · Finland
InnsbruckTyrol · Austria
KrakówLesser Poland · Poland
LanaAutonomous Province of Bolzano · Trentino-South Tyrol · Italy
Levico TermeAutonomous Province of Trento · Trentino-South Tyrol · Italy
LilleNord · Hauts-de-France · France
Limatola, Benevento, northern CampaniaProvince of Benevento · Campania · Italy
LivignoProvince of Sondrio · Lombardy · Italy
LocorotondoMetropolitan City of Bari · Apulia · Italy
LondonGreater London · United Kingdom
Los AngelesCalifornia · United States
LuganoTicino · Switzerland
MaastrichtLimburg · Netherlands
MantuaProvince of Mantua · Lombardy · Italy
Matera · Sasso CaveosoProvince of Matera · Basilicata · Italy
MeranoAutonomous Province of Bolzano · Trentino-South Tyrol · Italy
Milan · Oh Bej! Oh Bej!Metropolitan City of Milan · Lombardy · Italy
Milan · RhoMetropolitan City of Milano · Lombardy · Italy
MombaroccioProvince of Pesaro e Urbino · Marche · Italy
MontbéliardBourgogne-Franche-Comté · France
Montecatini TermeProvince of Pistoia · Tuscany · Italy
MontreuxVaud · Switzerland
MoscowMoscow · Russia
MunichBavaria · Germany
Naples — San MartinoMetropolitan City of Napoli · Campania · Italy
Naples · San Gregorio ArmenoMetropolitan City of Napoli · Campania · Italy
Neapolitan Christmas sweets
New YorkManhattan · New York · United States
Nordic decorations
Nordic Lucia
NurembergBavaria · Germany
One day, so many lights: Christmas market trips from Milan
OrtiseiAutonomous Province of Bolzano · Trentino-South Tyrol · Italy
OssanaAutonomous Province of Trento · Trentino-South Tyrol · Italy
ParisÎle-de-France · France
Pergine ValsuganaAutonomous Province of Trento · Trentino-South Tyrol · Italy
PerugiaProvince of Perugia · Umbria · Italy
PesaroProvince of Pesaro e Urbino · Marche · Italy
Pietrarsa — Napoli e PorticiMetropolitan City of Napoli · Campania · Italy
PordenoneProvince of Pordenone · Friuli-Venezia Giulia · Italy
PraguePrague · Czechia
RangoAutonomous Province of Trento · Trentino-South Tyrol · Italy
RigaRiga Region · Latvia
Riva del GardaAutonomous Province of Trento · Trentino-South Tyrol · Italy
Rothenburg ob der TauberBavaria · Germany
RoveretoAutonomous Province of Trento · Trentino-South Tyrol · Italy
Saint Nicholas in Europe
SalernoProvince of Salerno · Campania · Italy
SalzburgState of Salzburg · Austria
San CandidoAutonomous Province of Bolzano · Trentino-South Tyrol · Italy
Sant’Agata FeltriaProvince of Rimini · Emilia-Romagna · Italy
Santa Maria MaggioreProvince of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola · Piedmont · Italy
SarnicoProvince of Bergamo · Lombardy · Italy
Sauris di SopraProvince of Udine · Friuli-Venezia Giulia · Italy
SirorAutonomous Province of Trento · Trentino-South Tyrol · Italy
St PetersburgSt Petersburg · Russia
Step off the train and into Christmas: market trips without a car
Still in the mood for Christmas lights? Where to go after the big day
StockholmStockholm County · Sweden
StrasbourgGrand Est · France
Stresa · Lake MaggioreProvince of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola · Piedmont · Italy
StuttgartBaden-Württemberg · Germany
TallinnHarju · Estonia
TerniProvince of Terni · Umbria · Italy
This gift has a heart: Milan’s Christmas markets that support good causes
TrentoAutonomous Province of Trento · Trentino-South Tyrol · Italy
TurinMetropolitan City of Turin · Piedmont · Italy
ValkenburgLimburg · Netherlands
VancouverBritish Columbia · Canada
VeronaProvince of Verona · Veneto · Italy
Vetralla, Tuscia, LazioProvince of Viterbo · Lazio · Italy
ViennaState of Vienna · Austria
VilniusVilnius County · Lithuania
VipitenoAutonomous Province of Bolzano · Trentino-South Tyrol · Italy
What a lovely Christmas! Find the market that feels right for you
What can I do too? Choosing Christmas markets with children
ZagrebCity of Zagreb · Croatia
ZurichCanton of Zurich · Switzerland

Compare up to three destinations

Put admission, arrival, visiting time and an indoor alternative side by side.

Destination 1Destination 2Destination 3Clear comparison

Bergamo

Province of Bergamo · Lombardy · Italy

Admission and costs: One hour’s skate hire €10, or €7 for ages ten and under.
Getting there: Train to Bergamo railway station, then walk.
Time to allow: Around three hours for the market and rink.
If it rains: Palazzo Moroni in the Upper Town, separate ticket.

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Govone

Province of Cuneo · Piedmont · Italy

Admission and costs: The market along the castle avenue is free, with no reservation required. Santa’s House is a separate ticketed show with a time slot; transport between Asti and Govone is also paid separately.
Getting there: From Asti railway station go to Movicentro, stand 16: on Govone event days a bus runs to Govone, Via Boetti. A single ticket costs €3.80; you can pay cash on board, use the MOEVES app or buy at Giachino sales outlets.
Time to allow: Allow around 3 hours at the destination, excluding travel.
If it rains: Santa’s House takes place inside the Royal Castle as a separately ticketed show with timed booking. It is a planned family alternative, not unrestricted castle access or a free shelter when it rains.
Where to park: Use the industrial-area car park and take the paid shuttle to the village.

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40 guides to explore

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Turin

Metropolitan City of Turin · Piedmont · Italy

Lights and walks

Christmas in Turin, a walk through Luci d’Artista

Luci d’Artista · 23 Oct 2026 – 10 Jan 2027

A two-hour walk from the Flying Carpet to the Mole. Find new installations, a sheltered stop and the light that moves across town.

Free admissionAbout 2 hours at the destination

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Bergamo

Province of Bergamo · Lombardy · Italy

Christmas market

Christmas in Bergamo, from the market to Saint Lucia and the ice

Christmas Village · 14 Nov 2026 – 27 Dec 2026

Market hours for Piazzale degli Alpini, events for children and an ice rink that stays open into January.

Different admission for each stopAbout 3 hours at the destination

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Mantua

Province of Mantua · Lombardy · Italy

Christmas market

Christmas in Mantua, from the stalls to the ice rink

Piazza Virgiliana · 7 Nov 2026 – 27 Dec 2026 · Selected opening days only

Mantua Christmas markets 2026: opening days for Piazza Virgiliana and the three central squares, ice-rink prices and a walking route.

Free admissionAbout 4 hours at the destination

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Colico

Province of Lecco · Lombardy · Italy

Christmas market

Colico at Christmas, from the chalets to the lake

Piazza Garibaldi Christmas market · 21 Nov 2026 – 10 Jan 2027 · Selected opening days only

Colico’s Christmas market opens on twenty selected days in Piazza Garibaldi, 21 November 2026 to 10 January 2027. Find the walking route and indoor rink hours.

About 4 hours at the destination

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Sforza Castle from Piazza Castello, Milan, in a 2019 photograph.

Milan · Oh Bej! Oh Bej!

Metropolitan City of Milan · Lombardy · Italy

Christmas market

Oh Bej! Oh Bej! Meet me at Milan’s castle

Oh Bej! Oh Bej! fair · 5 Dec 2026 – 8 Dec 2026

From 5 to 8 December, Milan celebrates St Ambrose with the Oh Bej! Oh Bej! fair around Sforza Castle. Free entry and a three-stop walk.

Free admissionAbout 2 hours at the destination

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St Lucy altar frontal in St Anthony’s Church, Quartinago, archive photograph.

Cimego · Quartinago

Autonomous Province of Trento · Trentino-South Tyrol · Italy

Christmas market

Christmas in Cimego, behind the cellar doors

Carosello, Cimego Christmas market · 29 Nov 2026 – 20 Dec 2026 · Selected opening days only

Carosello opens in Quartinago on nine dates from 29 November to 20 December. Find opening days, guided visits and the long December weekend programme.

Free admissionAbout 3 hours at the destination

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Sauris di Sotto with Saint Oswald’s church in autumn, without a Christmas market. Archive photograph (2007-10-07); does not document the 2026 edition.

Sauris di Sopra

Province of Udine · Friuli-Venezia Giulia · Italy

Christmas market

Christmas in Sauris: three days in a mountain world

Mercatino di Natale · 5–6 & 8 Dec 2026 · Selected opening days only

On 5, 6 and 8 December 2026, this Carnic village welcomes crafts, Star songs and timber houses. The scattered nativity scenes continue until Epiphany.

Free admissionAbout 3 hours at the destination

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Ossana

Autonomous Province of Trento · Trentino-South Tyrol · Italy

Nativity scenes and traditions

Ossana (Trento), Trentino–South Tyrol: follow the red thread of nativity scenes

Ossana village of 1,000 nativity scenes · 27 Nov 2026 – 6 Jan 2027

In Ossana, in the province of Trento in northern Italy's Trentino–South Tyrol region, over 1,600 nativity scenes fill the Val di Sole village from 27 November 2026 to 6 January 2027.

About 3 hours at the destination

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Lana

Autonomous Province of Bolzano · Trentino-South Tyrol · Italy

Christmas market

Stardust in Lana: a Christmas to keep close

Polvere di Stelle: crafts and food · 27 Nov 2026 – 24 Dec 2026 · Selected opening days only

Crafts and flavours at the Capuchin Garden on selected days from 27 November to 24 December 2026; on 31 December only food stands open.

Free admissionAbout 3 hours at the destination

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San Candido

Autonomous Province of Bolzano · Trentino-South Tyrol · Italy

Christmas market

San Candido: Christmas between churches and Dolomites

Christmas in the Dolomites · 27 Nov 2026 – 6 Jan 2027 · Selected opening days only

Christmas in the Dolomites returns from 27 November 2026 to 6 January 2027, with selected Advent days and a Christmas Day closure.

About 3 hours at the destination

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Ortisei

Autonomous Province of Bolzano · Trentino-South Tyrol · Italy

Christmas market

Christmas in Ortisei: wonder carved in wood

Christmas village: retail huts · 28 Nov 2026 – 6 Jan 2027

Nadel Urtijëi brings festive huts and flavours to the centre from 28 November 2026 to 6 January 2027, with an early break and different shopping and food hours.

About 3 hours at the destination

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Castel Pergine in spring: local context, without a Christmas market. Archive photograph (2025-04-21 16:08:47); does not document the 2026 edition.

Pergine Valsugana

Autonomous Province of Trento · Trentino-South Tyrol · Italy

Christmas market

Christmas in Pergine: follow the village squares

Christmas in Pergine: market · 14 Nov 2026 – 27 Dec 2026 · Selected opening days only

Pergine Valsugana’s Christmas market opens on 14 November 2026: craft stalls from 10am, an opening celebration at 4pm, workshops and cooking demonstrations. Plan your visit through 27 December.

Free admissionAbout 3 hours at the destination

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Dates for your diary!

Open the destination calendar (49)

Dates refer to the particular event named. Some markets open only on selected days: read the guide before planning your journey.

Turin · Luci d’Artista23 Oct 2026 – 10 Jan 2027

Luci d’Artista

Scheduled

31 light installations across the city, free to see.

What kind of Christmas?

Bergamo

Govone

Browse the guides

Dates for your diary!

Christmas in everyday life

In Zurich the Christmas tree really sings. And you want to leave!

CHRISTMAS: THERE IS MORE THAN ONE STORY IN THE NATIVITY SCENE!