Discover the 10 most beautiful Christmas markets in Italy

When do the Merano Christmas markets start? Stopping off in South Tyrol at Christmas is a must. From November 26th, 2022 to January 6th, 2023 you can plan a Christmas holiday in Merano to discover one of the most colorful markets in Italy.

Just note the opening hours: Monday to Thursday the stands dedicated to trade are open from 11:00 to 19:00. On Fridays, Saturdays and holidays they open at 10:00 and close at 20:00. On Sundays the stands remain open until 19:00.

Food stands, on the other hand, close at 21:00 from Sunday to Thursday and at 22:30 on other days.

Just 35 kilometers from the Merano Christmas markets, you can visit the many stalls of the Bolzano Christmas markets.

Prepare to be overwhelmed by the scent of cinnamon, homemade desserts and traditional mulled wine. And again, all in the surrounds of typical wooden chalet huts and festively decorated fir trees.

It is possible to reach some of the well known and most popular Bolzano markets by bus. An alternative idea however, is to go by camper. The many equipped parking areas make it easy to park and stay for a night or more. In addition, you could take advantage of being in the area to also visit Vipiteno, Bressanone and Brunico. They too have magnificent Christmas markets with Christmas decorations that make them postcard perfect locations.

Some of the most beautiful Christmas markets are in the Trentino area, also some of the oldest in Italy. We are speaking of Trento, which every year hosts over 70 wooden huts in Piazza Fiera alone. Trento becomes the ideal destination for discovering local artisan products and typical gastronomic specialties.

The Trento Christmas Markets run from November 19th, 2022 to January 8th, 2023 from 10:00 to 19.30. 

Among the most beautiful Christmas markets in Veneto, in Verona you’ll find the stalls set up in the heart of the city, primarily in Piazza dei Signori.

Here, from November 18th, there will be 100 exhibitors. You’ll be able to find many gift ideas, decorations, and culinary specialties of the area to taste directly on site or to take home.

Listed in the Verona events schedule for the Christmas period, until December 26th. The market stalls await you from 10:00 to 21:30 Sunday to Thursday. Until 23:00 Friday and Saturday. From 16:00 to 21:00 on Christmas day.

Among the most popular Christmas markets in the Aosta Valley, the Marché Vert Noël stands out as one of the most attended and well-known events in Aosta.

Christmas 2022 in Aosta has three focal points - Piazza Caveri, Giovanni XXIII and Roncas, where 40 chalets enliven the market places with local specialties and handicraft products. But there is more.

Open every day from November 19th 2022 to January 8th 2023, it makes a good starting point for discovering other Christmas markets in the region too, such as at Forte di Bard. Or before enjoying the enchanting Christmas atmosphere in some of the most iconic castles in the Valle D'Aosta such as the Savoia di Gressoney-Saint-Jean Castle, the Gamba of Châtillon Castle and the Aymavilles Castle.

For those who wish to take advantage of a visit to the Aosta markets to explore the heart of its historic center and discover its ancient secrets, the unmissable "Archaeological Aosta" tour is offered for the entire duration of the Marché Vert Noël. It is really quite special. For just €5, you can visit the Roman Theater, the Forensic Cryptoporticus, the Paleo-Christian Church of San Lorenzo and the Regional Archaeological Museum. It offers a unique opportunity to enjoy the beauty of Aosta festively decorated and to visit the Roman monuments of Augusta Praetoria.

The icing on the cake is the imposing 12-meter Christmas tree that lights up Piazza Chanoux. Here, young and old can enjoy the ice skating rink. Alongside this is a very rich program of events, entertainment, small concerts and shows for children that will entice and delight everyone.

Credits: Archivio regione Valle d'Aosta

During the Christmas season Turin hosts many Christmas markets and events such as the Artist's Lights (Luci d’artista), an event that returns to illuminate the streets and squares of the Piedmontese capital this year for its twenty-fifth edition.

Beneath the large Christmas tree in Piazza Castello, from the end of November, you can find many wooden chalets set up with Italian handicrafts and foreign specialties.

The Santa Claus village in Turin is located in Piazza Solferino, where you will also find the ice skating rink. Take a trip to the Cortile del Maglio, in the covered square of Borgo Dora, to find other stalls and many activities such as gospel choirs and yoga sessions.

The Turin Christmas market stalls open from November 26th, 2022 to January 6th, 2023. From 10.30 to 20.30 on weekdays, until 21.00 on Fridays and until 23.00 on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays and on the eve of holidays.

The market in the magical Christmas village of Asti is a definite stop on your Christmas holidays in Piedmont. From November 12th to December 19th 2022, every weekend, including the day of the Immaculate Conception, the historic center of the city will hosts artisans, local producers and taste experts

If you are in the area you must visit Santa Claus’s House, set up in the splendid Royal Castle of Govone. On the 8th, 11th and 18th of December 2022 we recommend a visit to the Living Nativity of San Damiano d'Asti, a historical re-enactment of the Nativity that winds through the streets of the historic center.

With Christmas in Tuscany comes a touch of Italian-Austrian Tyrol with typical handicraft products.
The Christmas market stalls of Arezzo populate the central Piazza Grande from November 19th to December 26th 2022. If you are planning your Christmas holidays in Tuscany, you can’t miss a visit to the Christmas Garden and Santa Claus’s House in Arezzo.

Christmas in Tuscany must involve the Christmas market in Piazza Santa Croce in Florence. In front of the splendid Basilica you will find a small Christmas village where you can buy handmade gifts, Christmas decorations and typical products such as meats, cheeses and wine.

The Weihnachtsmarkt of Santa Croce is open every day from 10am to 10pm from November 19th to December 18th 2022.
To make the experience even more magical, stroll through the streets of the historic center of Florence. Enjoy the shop windows decorated for Christmas, Christmas trees and festive lights.

Naples at Christmas becomes even more charming.

In San Gregorio Armeno, in the Spaccanapoli area, in the heart of the Centro Antico, there is a Christmas market open every day of the year, but it is during the Christmas period that it shines the most. Let yourself be carried away by curiosity and discover the many statuettes for nativity scenes displayed in the many Christmas shops of this small street in Naples.

Take the opportunity to try Campania's Christmas sweets such as mustaccioli (spiced biscuits) and struffoli (sweet dough balls). An obligatory stop is at the Cloister of Santa Chiara which, during the Christmas period, hosts a large nativity scene over 200 meters long.