What to do in Milan during the Christmas season? From the first days of December until January 6, the city is transformed with bright decorations, markets, fairs and majestic trees sponsored by big companies.
Shopping streets are illuminated and decorated, while Christmas markets are multiplying in the city. Historically, the Milanese love the Oh Bej Oh Bej Fair and, for the past few years, the Artigiano in Fiera, which attracts people from all over northern Italy.
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The Fiera degli Oh Bej! Oh Bej!
The Oh Bej! Oh Bej! Fair is one of Milan’s oldest and most beloved Christmas events. Its origins date back to 1288, when the city’s patron saint, St. Ambrose, was celebrated.
Admission is free.
The name of the fair originated a few decades later and is said to derive from the Milanese exclamation “Oh bej! Oh bej!” meaning “Oh belli! Oh belli!” and is said to have originated in 1510, when Giannetto Castiglione, a papal envoy, distributed sweets and toys to Milanese children
In 2024, the Oh Bej Oh Bej takes place from December 5 to 8 around the Castello Sforzesco.
At the Oh Bej! Oh Bej! Fair you will find a wide range of products, from traditional games to antiques, through clothes, Christmas decorations and typical sweets.
There are live shows, musical performances and activities for the little ones.
Craft Fair in Milan Rho-Pero
Artigianato in Fiera 2026 takes place in Rho, in the province of Milan, from Nov. 30 to Dec. 8, opening from 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Admission is free, but you must register online first.
There are thousands of booths of artisans and manufacturers from all over the world. In addition to buying items and gifts, there are also many food stands with Italian and foreign specialties.
How to get to Artigiano in Fiera?
The event takes place in Rho, just 20 minutes from downtown Milan. You can get there easily by public transportation (there is a special ticket to Rho Fiera) or by car (be prepared, however, for some queues and very crowded car parks).
Christmas in Milan: elf villages, markets and skating rinks
In December, the heart of Milan turns into a magical Christmas village with the Christmas Market in Piazza Duomo. This event is one of the most anticipated and beloved Christmas events for the Milanese and tourists alike. The quaint little wooden houses offer a wide range of products, from traditional foods to Christmas decorations to souvenirs such as boule à neige. The entire perimeter of the cathedral is enlivened by endless stalls that make the atmosphere even more atmospheric.