Top Italian Christmas Markets
Trentino-Alto Adige Region in northern Italy is one of the best regions for Christmas markets with its proximity to Germany. Many mountain towns hold Christmas markets selling everything from tacky items to beautiful local handicrafts. After dark, the markets are decorated with lights and there are often other festivities to enjoy.
Trento, in the Trentino-Alto Adige Region, holds one of the best Christmas markets in a beautiful setting. Christmas markets start at the end of November and include more than 60 traditional wooden huts selling a variety of crafts in Trento's center. A large Nativity Scene is created in Piazza Duomo, too.
Bolzano, also in Trentino-Alto Adige, holds a daily Christmas market through December 23.
Campo Santo Stefano in Venice becomes a Christmas village in December with wooden houses set up in the piazza and stalls selling high quality Venetian handicrafts. There's also regional food, drink, and music.
Trieste, also in northeastern Italy, holds its market, Fiera di San Nicolo, the first week of December. The market sells toys, candy, and Christmas items.
Verona holds a huge Christmas Market with over 300 stalls and tables the second weekend of December through December 13, Santa Lucia Day.
Naples holds a December Christmas market near Via San Gregorio Armeno, known for its many nativity workshops. For the Christmas market, some vendors dress in traditional shepherd costume. Via San Gregorio Armeno pictures
Sorrento, on the beautiful Amalfi peninsula in the Bay of Naples (see location on map), holds a Christmas market through January 6 in the main square.
Torino, in the Piemonte region, holds a Mercatino di Natale during December in the Borgo Dora area. Stalls selling a variety of merchandise are open all week and on the weekends there's music and entertainment for children. There's a big Christmas tree and nativity scene, too. Information (in Italian)
Genoa holds a Christmas and winter fair with an exhibition of arts and handicraft products and other items for sale. More information
Piazza Navona in Rome hosts a big Christmas Market. Babbo Natale, Father Christmas, is there for picture taking opportunities and there is a life-size nativity scene set up in the piazza. See photos on Italian Notebook
Florence Noel starts at the end of November. Kids can visit the house of Babbo Natale (Father Christmas) and there's a Christmas market and lots of colorful lights. More information
Piazza Santa Croce in Florence has a popular German Christmas market with many booths.
Siena, in Tuscany, holds several Christmas markets during December.
Lucca, also in Tuscany, holds a Christmas market in Piazza San Michele, usually through December 26. More Tuscany towns with markets include Arezzo, Montepulciano, and Pisa.
Peruiga, in Umbria, holds its Christmas market in the Rocca Paolina for three weeks in December.
Milan holds a market in the historic center from early December through January 6.
Bologna holds a Christmas market in the historic center from late November through early January. More about Bologna
Siracusa, Sicily, holds a two-week Christmas Fair starting the first or second weekend of December.
Cagliari, Sardinia, also holds a Christmas Fair for two weeks in December with traditional crafts, food, and wine.
