Events in Italy in December 2026: Festivals, Markets and Holidays

The events in Italy in December 2026 start with La Scala’s opening night on the 7th. Then come the Christmas markets of the Alps, the light festivals of Turin and Salerno and the Pope’s Christmas in Rome. Finally, most big cities throw a party on New Year’s Eve. Below, you will find the dates confirmed for 2026. Where we only have last year’s edition, we say so.

Last updated: October 20, 2026. Dates checked on official event, city or tourism-board websites; see the sources at the end.

Events in Italy in December 2026 at a glance

Santa Lucia, the Christmas Masses and New Year’s Eve have fixed dates. Their 2026 programs are not out yet.

In December 2026 the public holidays are Tuesday the 8th, Friday the 25th and Saturday the 26th. Banks and offices close on all three days. On December 25 and 26 most shops and many museums close too, while on December 8 many shops and Christmas markets stay open. So book Christmas Day restaurants well ahead.

Christmas markets: the biggest events in Italy in December

Above all, Italy’s best-known Christmas markets are in the Alps. In South Tyrol, the markets of Bolzano, Merano and Bressanone run from November 26, 2026, to January 6, 2027. Brunico opens a day later (South Tyrol tourism). The Trento market opens even earlier, on November 20. It also opens on Christmas Day, from 4 to 8 p.m. (Visit Trento).

Each market has its own guide: Bolzano Christmas market, Merano Christmas market, Bressanone Christmas market, Vipiteno Christmas market, Trento Christmas market, Rovereto Christmas market and Levico Terme Christmas market. Also, for an overview of the whole country, see our Christmas markets in Italy guide.

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In addition, two tours work well with the markets. The Christmas edition of the Bolzano street food tour walks a small group through the stalls. Then the private day tour of the Innsbruck, Bressanone and Vipiteno markets takes in three markets in one day. Finally, to sleep in town, you can compare hotels in Bolzano on Expedia.

La Scala opening night, Milan (December 7)

Milan opens its opera season on December 7. It is the feast of Sant’Ambrogio, the city’s patron saint. On Monday, December 7, 2026, La Scala opens with Verdi’s Otello. It is the first season of Myung-Whun Chung as music director, and Damiano Michieletto directs (La Scala 2026-27 season). However, tickets for the Prima are scarce and expensive. Most visitors enjoy the atmosphere around Piazza della Scala instead.

In the same days, Milan holds the Oh Bej! Oh Bej! fair by the Castello Sforzesco. It sells crafts, toys and hot chestnuts. In 2025 it ran from December 5 to 8 (in-Lombardia); the 2026 dates are not out yet. Our Christmas in Milan guide covers the rest of the city’s program.

Immaculate Conception (December 8)

December 8 is a national holiday. By tradition, it also starts the Christmas season. In Rome, the Pope prays at the Column of the Immaculate Conception near the Spanish Steps. In 2025 Pope Leo XIV arrived at about 4 p.m. (Holy See Press Office). This year, though, the holiday falls on a Tuesday. As a result, many Italians will take a long weekend from Saturday, December 5. So book trains and Alpine hotels early.

Luci d’Artista in Turin and Salerno

Turin’s Luci d’Artista festival hangs works of light art over its streets and squares. The 29th edition runs from October 23, 2026, to January 10, 2027 (Turismo Torino). If you plan a night there, you can compare hotels in Turin on Expedia.

Salerno’s version is bolder. It fills the old town with dozens of light displays. The city has approved the budget for the 21st edition. However, it has not set the dates yet (Salerno Notizie). For reference, last season ran from November 14, 2025, to February 1, 2026. Until then, see our Luci d’Artista Salerno guide for updates.

Santa Lucia (December 13)

Saint Lucy’s Day falls on Sunday, December 13, in 2026. In Siracusa, her home town, a silver statue of the saint leaves the cathedral. Then it goes to the church of Santa Lucia al Sepolcro. Last year the feast ran from December 9 to 26 (Visit Sicily). In Verona, by contrast, she brings sweets and toys to children. Traditional stalls also returned to Piazza Bra around the 13th in 2025, but the 2026 dates are not out yet (Visit Verona).

Christmas in Rome and at the Vatican

The Pope’s Christmas Eve Mass needs a free ticket, and you must request it before December 8. By contrast, the Urbi et Orbi blessing on Christmas Day is open to anyone in St. Peter’s Square. Our guide to Christmas at the Vatican explains how to get tickets. It also lists the days the Vatican Museums close. For the rest of the city, however, see Christmas in Rome.

Living nativity scenes

Several towns stage living nativity scenes, with local people in costume. The best known is in the Sassi of Matera, on weekends in December and early January. The official site promises a new edition but gives no 2026 dates yet. Because places are limited, booking is required (Presepe Vivente Matera). In Sicily, the Custonaci nativity fills the Mangiapane cave near Trapani. Last season it ran from December 25 to 28 and from January 3 to 6.

December concerts: La Fenice and Umbria Jazz Winter

In Venice, La Fenice plays its New Year’s Concert from December 29 to January 1. Gianandrea Noseda conducts. The main concert is on January 1 (Teatro La Fenice). Earlier in the month, La Fenice also lists a Christmas concert by the Cappella Marciana on December 15 and 16, held at another venue.

Meanwhile, Umbria Jazz Winter fills the hill town of Orvieto from December 30 to January 3 (Umbria Jazz). Most concerts need a ticket, but the street parades are free.

New Year’s Eve: the last of the events in Italy in December

Most large cities hold a public party on December 31, often free but sometimes with limited space or registration. The 2026 lineups are not out yet. On December 31, 2025, Rome held a free concert at the Circus Maximus (Turismo Roma). Meanwhile, Naples filled Piazza del Plebiscito. And at midnight Bologna burned its “Vecchione”, a giant figure of the old year, in Piazza Maggiore (Emilia-Romagna Tourism). In Venice, the fireworks go up over St. Mark’s Basin, and you see them best from the Riva degli Schiavoni, not from Piazza San Marco (Venezia Unica). For more details, see also New Year’s Eve in Italy and New Year’s Eve in Rome.

Tips for planning around events in Italy in December

• Book trains early for the long weekend of December 5–8 and for the days around Christmas. Our guide to trains in Italy explains how fares work.
• On December 24 many shops and markets close early. On the 25th, many restaurants serve a set Christmas lunch, so reserve ahead.
• Also, ski lifts in the Dolomites open in late November and early December, if there is snow. See skiing in Italy.
• For weather and packing, read Italy in December. The calendar continues in events in Italy in January 2027.

Sources and verification

We checked every date on October 20, 2026. Each section links to the official source. Where an organizer had not yet announced 2026 dates, we say so and give last year’s edition as a reference. We will update this page as the programs come out.

Keep planning: Best Universities in Italy for International Students.

For the start of the month, read our guides to the Immaculate Conception in Italy on December 8 and the Rome Christmas markets.

Frequently asked questions

What are the main events in Italy in December?

The main events in Italy in December are the Alpine Christmas markets and La Scala’s first night in Milan on December 7. Then come the December 8 holiday, Christmas in Rome and New Year’s Eve.

Is December 8 a holiday in Italy?

Yes. December 8 is a national holiday. In 2026 it falls on a Tuesday, so many Italians take a long weekend from December 5. Banks and offices close, and some museums close too. Christmas markets usually stay open.

When do the Christmas markets in Italy open in 2026?

The Trento market opens on November 20, 2026. Bolzano, Merano and Bressanone open on November 26, and Brunico a day later. Most of them then close on January 6, 2027.

What opera opens La Scala on December 7, 2026?

La Scala opens its new season on December 7, 2026, with Verdi’s Otello, directed by Damiano Michieletto.