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.

126 guides to choose from

Browse the guides ↓

Photo credits

What kind of Christmas?

Choose where to go. Let Christmas bring the magic.

Today I feel like…Every idea ↗

Find a city or date

Every guide A–Z

A family nativity
A handmade Christmas gift, with a story to keep
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
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
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
Limatola, Benevento, northern CampaniaProvince of Benevento · Campania · Italy
LivignoProvince of Sondrio · Lombardy · Italy
LocorotondoMetropolitan City of Bari · Apulia · Italy
LondonGreater London · United Kingdom
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
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
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
ValkenburgLimburg · Netherlands
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

Paris

Île-de-France · France

Admission and costs: Free market admission. Rides and museum tickets are separate.
Getting there: Métro 1 to Concorde or Tuileries · Métro 1 and RER A to La Défense
Time to allow: Allow around five hours for both areas, including breaks.
If it rains: See the Water Lilies indoors at the Orangerie. Ticketed and closed Tuesdays and 25 December.

Read the guide →− Remove from comparison

Vilnius

Vilnius County · Lithuania

Admission and costs: The street and square market is free to enter. Food, drinks and purchases are paid for at individual stalls; the museum suggested for rainy weather has its own admission.
Getting there: From Vilnius railway station, reach Cathedral Square on foot through the old town, passing the Gate of Dawn and following Didžioji and Pilies. The station is not beside the market; this route already forms part of the sightseeing visit.
Time to allow: Allow around 4 hours at the destination, excluding travel.
If it rains: The Palace of the Grand Dukes, Katedros aikštė 4, offers indoor museum routes with tickets separate from the market. It lists closure on 24–26 December 2026, so it is not a rainy-day alternative on those dates.

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8 guides to explore

Browse the guides

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

Read the guide →+ Compare this destination

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

Read the guide →+ Compare this destination

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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Stresa’s lakefront in 2012, one of the guide’s destinations. Summer setting photograph, not the 2026 market.

CHIARA!

One day, so many lights: Christmas market trips from Milan

Stresa’s lakeshore, Asti’s wooden chalets, Christmas around Govone’s castle and charity events within Milan itself. Four ways to plan a festive outing in 2026, choosing the right day and leaving room for the pleasure of being together.

Read the guide →

Wrapped Christmas gifts. A context photograph, not the charity markets described.

Christmas that does good

This gift has a heart: Milan’s Christmas markets that support good causes

A panettone for the table, a book chosen for a friend, a decoration to treasure. In Milan, Christmas 2026 brings practical opportunities to turn gift shopping into support for people. Here are the places, dates and projects to know.

Read the guide →

Asti

Province of Asti · Piedmont · Italy

Christmas market

Asti lights up Christmas: market stalls and a city worth exploring

13 Nov 2026 – 20 Dec 2026 · Selected opening days only

Market days in Piazza Alfieri, a walk through the old town and practical tips for planning a Christmas day in Asti in 2026.

Free admissionAbout 3 hours at the destination

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Govone

Province of Cuneo · Piedmont · Italy

Christmas market

Christmas in Govone (CN, Piedmont, Italy) comes with a castle and little discoveries

14 Nov 2026 – 20 Dec 2026 · Selected opening days only

Market stalls around the Royal Castle, opening days and activities to choose: plan a day in Govone with clear practical information.

Free admissionAbout 3 hours at the destination

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Stresa’s lakefront in a summer 2012 photograph. A setting image, not the 2026 market.

Stresa · Lake Maggiore

Province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola · Piedmont · Italy

Christmas market

In Stresa (VB, Piedmont, Italy), Christmas meets the lake: a day to savour

5 Dec 2026 – 6 Jan 2027 · Selected opening days only

Lakeside markets on selected dates from 5 December, then after Christmas: plan a winter outing to Stresa on Lake Maggiore.

Free admissionAbout 3 hours at the destination

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Dates for your diary!

Open the destination calendar (7)

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

Mantua · Piazza Virgiliana7 Nov 2026 – 27 Dec 2026

Piazza Virgiliana

Scheduled · Selected opening days only

Opening days: 7 Nov 2026 · 8 Nov 2026 · 14 Nov 2026 · 15 Nov 2026 · 21 Nov 2026 · 22 Nov 2026 · 28 Nov 2026 · 29 Nov 2026 · 5 Dec 2026 · 6 Dec 2026 · 7 Dec 2026 · 8 Dec 2026 · 12 Dec 2026 · 13 Dec 2026 · 19 Dec 2026 · 20 Dec 2026 · 24 Dec 2026 · 26 Dec 2026 · 27 Dec 2026

Stalls open 10 am–7 pm.

Read the guide →

Asti13 Nov 2026 – 20 Dec 2026

Asti

Scheduled · Selected opening days only

Opening days: 13 Nov 2026 · 14 Nov 2026 · 15 Nov 2026 · 21 Nov 2026 · 22 Nov 2026 · 28 Nov 2026 · 29 Nov 2026 · 3 Dec 2026 · 4 Dec 2026 · 5 Dec 2026 · 6 Dec 2026 · 7 Dec 2026 · 8 Dec 2026 · 10 Dec 2026 · 11 Dec 2026 · 12 Dec 2026 · 13 Dec 2026 · 17 Dec 2026 · 18 Dec 2026 · 19 Dec 2026 · 20 Dec 2026

Special opening on 13 November from 15:00. Other listed days: 10:00–20:00.

Read the guide →

Govone14 Nov 2026 – 20 Dec 2026

Govone

Scheduled · Selected opening days only

Opening days: 14 Nov 2026 · 15 Nov 2026 · 21 Nov 2026 · 22 Nov 2026 · 28 Nov 2026 · 29 Nov 2026 · 5 Dec 2026 · 6 Dec 2026 · 7 Dec 2026 · 8 Dec 2026 · 12 Dec 2026 · 13 Dec 2026 · 19 Dec 2026 · 20 Dec 2026

Read the guide →

Mantua · Broletto, Erbe and Mantegna21 Nov 2026 – 20 Dec 2026

Broletto, Erbe and Mantegna

Still to come · Selected opening days only

Opening days: 21 Nov 2026 · 22 Nov 2026 · 28 Nov 2026 · 29 Nov 2026 · 5 Dec 2026 · 6 Dec 2026 · 7 Dec 2026 · 8 Dec 2026 · 12 Dec 2026 · 13 Dec 2026 · 19 Dec 2026 · 20 Dec 2026

Stalls open 10 am–7 pm.

Read the guide →

Colico · Piazza Garibaldi Christmas market21 Nov 2026 – 10 Jan 2027

Piazza Garibaldi Christmas market

Still to come · Selected opening days only

Opening days: 21 Nov 2026 · 22 Nov 2026 · 28 Nov 2026 · 29 Nov 2026 · 5 Dec 2026 · 6 Dec 2026 · 7 Dec 2026 · 8 Dec 2026 · 12 Dec 2026 · 13 Dec 2026 · 19 Dec 2026 · 20 Dec 2026 · 24 Dec 2026 · 26 Dec 2026 · 27 Dec 2026 · 2 Jan 2027 · 3 Jan 2027 · 6 Jan 2027 · 9 Jan 2027 · 10 Jan 2027

Twenty selected dates from 21 November 2026 to 10 January 2027, 10 am–7 pm.

Read the guide →

Milan · Oh Bej! Oh Bej! · Oh Bej! Oh Bej! fair5 Dec 2026 – 8 Dec 2026

Oh Bej! Oh Bej! fair

Still to come

5–8 December 2026. Daily hours to be confirmed.

Read the guide →

Stresa · Lake Maggiore5 Dec 2026 – 6 Jan 2027

Stresa · Lake Maggiore

Still to come · Selected opening days only

Opening days: 5 Dec 2026 · 6 Dec 2026 · 7 Dec 2026 · 8 Dec 2026 · 12 Dec 2026 · 13 Dec 2026 · 19 Dec 2026 · 20 Dec 2026 · 26 Dec 2026 · 27 Dec 2026 · 28 Dec 2026 · 29 Dec 2026 · 30 Dec 2026 · 31 Dec 2026 · 1 Jan 2027 · 2 Jan 2027 · 3 Jan 2027 · 4 Jan 2027 · 5 Jan 2027 · 6 Jan 2027

Read the guide →

Dates and the latest checks appear in each guide. Consult the official links for changes.

Christmas in everyday life

The Singing Christmas Tree in Werdmühleplatz, Zurich, in an archive press photograph. This is not a performance from the 2026 edition.

TO DISCOVER

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

Red capes, green branches and dozens of voices: the Singing Christmas Tree is also a tree made of people. From 19 November to 23 December 2026 a square in the heart of Zurich is once again filled with music. And the concerts are free.

A nativity scene with the infant Jesus, Mary and Joseph.

TO DISCOVER

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

Shepherds and Magi meet in our cribs. In the Gospels, they come from two different stories waiting to be discovered.