Planning a Trip to Italy in December 2026? Here’s What’s On

Concerts, film festivals, theater, exhibitions, craft markets: you’ll find the best events happening in Italy in December 2026 right here. It couldn’t be otherwise: this is the month of Christmas, a holiday that in the Belpaese is not just an occasion but a fully immersive experience, one that calls for planning and an up-to-date calendar.

From north to south, Italy’s main cities – Milan, Venice, Florence, Rome and Naples – turn into open-air stages, ready to welcome live music, classic dance and theater, exhibitions and much more. Add some of the most beautiful Christmas markets around, and the whole experience becomes even more magical and evocative.

Our map starts in Milan and ends in Naples. Across these five stops, you’ll find film festivals, concerts, exhibitions and theater shows. Alongside the month’s most interesting events there are the markets, a custom typical of northern and eastern Europe that in recent years has taken root in many Italian cities as well.

Faced with such a concentration of events in the fifth season of the year, a carefully curated guide is essential. That is why we have tried to select everything worth doing and seeing over the course of the month, starting with Noir in Festival in Milan and arriving at the heart of Christmas: the nativity scene fair of San Gregorio Armeno in Naples. Enjoy the trip.

Noir in Festival: from November 30 to December 5, the historic festival dedicated to noir cinema and fiction returns for its 36th edition, the most important event of its kind in Europe. The six days of screenings, talks and entertainment take place at three venues: IULM University, Cinema Arlecchino and Rizzoli Galleria.

The Christmas markets in Piazza Duomo: from December 1 to January 6, Piazza Duomo comes alive with its characteristic wooden stalls full of gift ideas, Christmas decorations and crafts. The market surrounds the cathedral and runs along Corso Vittorio Emanuele II. Admission is, of course, completely free.

Slift: on Tuesday, December 1, the Toulouse-based space psych punk trio play their only Italian date at Arci Bellezza. The French band is on tour to promote Fantasia, their fourth album, released on Sub Pop Records last June. Tickets cost €25.30; Arci membership card required.

C'mon Tigre at Santeria: fresh from the release of their new album Lumina, C'mon Tigre bring their global, cinematic, electronic rock to Santeria Toscana 31 on the evening of Wednesday, December 2. Tickets are €25.

Bilal: on Thursday, December 3, the American neo-soul artist returns in concert with his full band to celebrate the 25th anniversary of his debut album, 1st Born Second. The chosen venue is Biko Club: admission €30, Arci membership card required.

Sassy 009: on Friday, December 4, the Norwegian producer and composer Sunniva Lindgård, known as Sassy 009, returns to Italy to promote her latest record, Dreamer+. Her indietronic alt-pop will fill the dancefloor at Arci Bellezza: tickets €23, Arci membership card required.

The Oh Bej! Oh Bej! fair: from December 4 to 8, Milan’s oldest and most traditional Christmas market returns right on schedule, tied to the feast of Sant’Ambrogio, the city’s patron saint, and to the Immaculate Conception long weekend. From 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., with free admission, the stalls spread out around Castello Sforzesco, the Piazza Castello area and Parco Sempione.

Artigiano in Fiera: from December 5 to 13, Fieramilano Rho hosts the annual event dedicated to crafts from around the world. There is something for every taste, from food to clothing, leisure, home and furnishings. To get a free personal pass valid for all days of the fair, simply register on the official website.

Cinderella: the adaptation of Prokofiev’s classic by Frédéric Olivieri brightens Milan’s Christmas. The ballet is performed by the students of the Ballet School of the Accademia Teatro alla Scala: see it at the Piccolo from December 10 to 20. Tickets from €12 to €35.

CortAlp, the mountain short film festival: those who love short cinema and high peaks cannot miss the fifth edition of Cortometraggi Alpini, the international festival of mountain short films. The awards ceremony and screening of the winning shorts take place on Friday, December 11, at the Auditorium Testori in Palazzo Regione Lombardia.

SLAM – Sounds Like a Movie: from December 11 to 13, the second edition of the international film music festival comes to life. The program is packed with concerts, talks, workshops and screenings in a special location: Triennale Milano.

Morbidfest at Legend: the extreme music festival arrives in Italy with two unmissable dates for death metal fans. The Milan show is on Saturday, December 12, at Legend Club, with I Am Morbid, Atheist, Cancer and Stellvris. Admission €42.80.

Black Winter Fest: a second extreme music event, also on Saturday, December 12, this time at Land of Freedom in Legnano. For the 18th edition of the festival for black metal fans, the lineup includes Nargaroth (only Italian date), Darkened Nocturn Slaughtercult, Ancient (special old-school set), Malphas, Stormcrow, Dewfall and Marea. Tickets €49.

Týr: on Sunday, December 13, the Legend stage hosts the only Italian date of the Valhalla Calling European tour. The Faroese Viking folk metal band is supported by Twilight Force, Dragonland and Vanaheim. Ticket price €34.50.

Nuki: also at the Legend, the event on Monday, December 14, features the Russian nu-alternative metal band led by Daria Stavrovich, former singer of Slot. The trio is in Italy to present their repertoire and preview their new album, due in 2027. Tickets cost €23.

The Nutcracker at La Scala: the season at Teatro alla Scala is both international in scope and rooted in tradition. From December 17 to January 16, it’s the turn of the great ballet, with choreography by Nureyev and music by Tchaikovsky: a Christmas classic.

The Village of Wonders: until January 10, one of the most eagerly awaited Christmas events for Milanese families is on. The Indro Montanelli gardens in Porta Venezia come alive with a playground, shows and activities for children.

The antiques market in Campo San Maurizio: an unmissable event from December 4 to 6 for enthusiasts, collectors and art lovers from around the world. The market, open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., offers objets, books, collectibles, prints, mid-century modern pieces and vintage items.

Venice International Performance Art Week: from December 10 to 13, the event returns to Palazzo Mora, with more than fifty artists from around the world taking part. The tenth edition features live performances, conferences, presentations and public meetings.

InLaguna Film Festival: from December 10 to 14, four days of screenings and meetings dedicated to formal and narrative experimentation in contemporary cinema. The festival is free to attend and takes place at various venues: the Teatrino di Palazzo Grassi, the Rossini, Giorgione and Dante cinemas, the Casa del Cinema, the Zazá comic book shop, and the Panorama and Aarduork spaces.

Morbidfest at Revolver: the Venetian leg of the extreme music festival is on Friday, December 11, at Revolver Club in San Donà di Piave. The lineup is the same as in Milan: I Am Morbid, Atheist, Cancer and Stellvris. Here too, tickets cost €42.80.

Les Étoiles: the Teatro La Fenice program devotes significant space to dance. The classical and contemporary dance gala takes place on Saturday, December 12, and Sunday, December 13, with world-famous dancers such as Sergio Bernal, Fumi Kaneko and Vadim Muntagirov, accompanied by the Theater Orchestra conducted by Paolo Paroni. Tickets from €50 to €132.

Candlelight: The Lord of the Rings: on Sunday, December 13, for the 25th anniversary of Tolkien’s fantasy saga, the Scuola Grande San Giovanni Evangelista hosts a double tribute concert (7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.) performed by a string quartet paying homage to the music Howard Shore composed for Peter Jackson’s films. Tickets €28.

Hermetic Film Festival (FHIFF): the film festival dedicated to esotericism and the occult reaches its eighth edition. The program includes both feature films and shorts, telling through images the stories of Gnosticism, alchemy, shamanism and spiritual awakening. It takes place from December 13 to 15 at the Casa del Cinema.

Harlem Gospel Choir: the American gospel choir, made up of more than 40 members, pays tribute to the great songs of Whitney Houston and Tina Turner in its Christmas concert. The show takes place at Teatro Toniolo in Mestre on Monday, December 21: tickets from €39 to €46.

The Christmas markets in Piazza Ferretto: the Christmas markets run until January 6 in the heart of Mestre, where you’ll also find the big Christmas tree and the ice skating rink. Among the traditional wooden stalls there is something for everyone, from crafts to gastronomic specialties.

River to River – Florence Indian Film Festival: from December 3 to 8, the 26th edition returns of the only Italian festival entirely dedicated to the cinema and culture of the Indian subcontinent. Highlights include a tribute to Kabir Bedi for the 50th anniversary of Sandokan and the Italian premiere of the legal thriller USA vs Raj by Ravi K. Chandran. The event takes place at Cinema La Compagnia.

La Fierucola dell’Immacolata and La Fierucola di Natale: the Fierucola is Florence’s traditional market dedicated to family-run organic farming, sustainable crafts and the ethical economy. The Immaculate Conception edition takes place on Tuesday, December 8, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. in Piazza della Santissima Annunziata; the Christmas edition on Sunday, December 20, also from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. but in Piazza Ognissanti.

Roberto Bolle and Friends: a journey through the beauty and magic of dance with the étoile and some of the world’s most important dancers. There are four performances, from December 10 to 12, in the Sala Grande of the Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino. Prices from €20 to €120.

Nataleperfile, the Christmas market at Palazzo Corsini: from December 15 to 17, three days to support a good cause. One of Florence’s most beautiful historic palaces hosts the market organized to raise funds for FILE (Fondazione Italiana di Leniterapia), the association that provides care to the seriously ill and their families in the area.

The Weihnachtsmarkt in Piazza Santa Croce: until December 20, one of Florence’s most evocative squares offers a journey through tradition and wonder. In front of the basilica, wooden stalls are set up with craft exhibitors and gastronomic delights from all over Europe.

The Christmas concert of the Orchestra della Toscana: on Thursday, December 24, at 5 p.m., the city’s concert ritual takes place at Teatro Verdi. Conductor Diego Ceretta has chosen music by Respighi, Bach, Brahms and Schumann for this year’s program. Doors open at 4 p.m.: full-price tickets cost €22.

Fantafestival: the 46th edition of the historic festival dedicated to horror, fantasy and science fiction takes place from December 1 to 5 at the Casa del Cinema. Alongside the feature and short film competitions, there will be a tribute to the critic and popularizer Federico Frusciante with a screening of Lucio Fulci’s Manhattan Baby. Admission is free.

Afrodite Shorts: the 11th edition of the short film festival celebrating the feminine in all its forms changes venue. It runs from December 1 to 3 at The Cineclub. Three days of screenings and meetings, plus a closing awards evening. Admission with membership.

Eve’s Diary: on Tuesday, December 1, at Mattatoio di Roma – La Pelanda, Mauro Cardi’s opera, loosely based on Mark Twain’s story, opens the month-long program of the 63rd edition of the Nuova Consonanza Festival. Through Sunday, December 20, the festival offers concerts, music theater, performances, meetings, and workshops with international ensembles and young talents. The full program is on the Nuova Consonanza website.

The Christmas markets of the Capital: what would Christmas in the Capital be without its traditional markets? We highlight three. The historic one in Piazza Navona, Rome’s quintessential Christmas market, from December 1. Also from December 1, Eur Christmas Rome opens in Piazza Don Luigi Sturzo, by the EUR lake. Finally, the Christmas village in Piazza Mazzini, in the square’s gardens.

Christmas World at Villa Borghese: in the heart of the park, on Viale del Galoppatoio, Europe’s largest Christmas-themed park returns. It features shows, an ice skating rink, Santa’s houses and food areas.

Rome International Documentary Festival (RIDF): the fifth edition of the creative documentary festival takes place from December 2 to 7 at Cinema Tibur. There are three main competitions: World Doc for international feature-length documentaries, Ita Doc for Italian documentaries, and Short Doc for short documentaries.

Patti Smith: the singer-songwriter returns to the stage with an acoustic concert titled Words and Music Where Francis Walked, a show of verse and music dedicated to Saint Francis of Assisi. It takes place on Sunday, December 6, in the Sala Santa Cecilia of the Auditorium Parco della Musica. Tickets from €50.

Gazebo Penguins at Largo Venue: the band from Correggio, one of the most closely followed acts on the Italian alternative scene, is on tour to promote Temporale, their sixth album. The Rome date is Wednesday, December 9, at Largo Venue. Tickets €18.

Nero Kane: the Milanese singer-songwriter Marco Mezzadri, known as Nero Kane, and his collaborator Samantha Stella are touring to present the album For the Love, the Death and the Poetry. Blending blues, folk, gothic and psychedelia, the concert takes place on Thursday, December 10, in a truly evocative location: the Waldensian Church on Via Quattro Novembre. Black Snake Moan open: tickets €17.

C’mon Tigre at Monk: the Rome leg of the Lumina tour brings C’mon Tigre to Monk on the evening of Saturday, December 12. Admission €23.

Paolo Fresu at the Auditorium: a Christmas date on Saturday, December 12, with Christmas Songs, performed by the Sardinian trumpeter with Daniele di Bonaventura on bandoneon and Leila Shirvani on cello. The venue is the Sala Sinopoli of the Auditorium Parco della Musica: tickets from €30.

Roma Gospel Festival: the 27th edition of Europe’s largest gospel festival runs from December 13 to January 1 in the Sala Sinopoli of the Auditorium Parco della Musica. The program opens with Melodees from Heaven and includes Christmas concerts with the Harlem Gospel Choir. The full program is on the Auditorium’s official website: tickets at various prices.

Herbie Hancock: on Monday, December 14, the Sala Santa Cecilia of the Auditorium Parco della Musica again welcomes the legendary American jazz pianist and composer. For his 2026 Tour, he is joined by Terence Blanchard, Lionel Loueke, James Genus and Jaylen Petinaud. Tickets from €60.

Roma Creative Contest: the 15th edition of the international short film festival takes place from December 17 to 19 at two venues, We Gil and Cinema Troisi. There are four competitive sections, for Italian narrative shorts, international animated shorts, international documentaries and music videos.

Swan Lake at the Teatro dell’Opera: from December 17 to 31, the great classic with music by Tchaikovsky and choreography by Benjamin Pech is on stage at the Teatro dell’Opera. Tickets range from €15 to €120.

The Geopolitics of Architecture: on December 18, the exhibition curated by Pippo Ciorra and Dario Fabbri opens, investigating “the link between the current global geopolitical instability and the way this condition redefines the role of architecture in building the world and caring for spaces, both collective and individual.” It runs until April 25, 2027, at MAXXI – National Museum of 21st Century Arts: full-price ticket €14.

Downtown Boys: before its Christmas closure, Monk hosts the militant American quintet, back in the spotlight with Public Luxury. An unmissable live show on Monday, December 21, of punk, funk, soul, electro-rock and anti-capitalism: tickets €18.

Art Days Napoli Campania: from December 2 to 9, various cultural spaces and galleries across the city light up for the sixth edition of Art Days. A week entirely dedicated to contemporary art, with events, special openings and widespread projects.

Giuseppe Verdi’s Luisa Miller: the 2026–2027 season at Teatro San Carlo opens on Wednesday, December 2, with the opera conducted by Daniel Oren and directed by Davide Livermore. It is the production that kicks off the busy December calendar at Naples’ great opera house: tickets from €80 to over €500.

Giuse The Lizia at Duel: those who missed him in Rome (the two concerts on Tuesday, December 1, and Wednesday, December 2, at Largo Venue sold out immediately) can catch the Sicilian indie pop singer-songwriter (Bologna-based by adoption) at Duel Club in Pozzuoli. The occasion is the release of his new record, MDMA. The date is Friday, December 4: tickets €30.

Laceno d’Oro: the 51st edition of the historic Irpinia festival of “cinema that makes you think” is rich in premieres, guests and retrospectives. The event is split between Cinema Eliseo and Multisala Partenio in Avellino, from December 5 to 13.

Affabulazione: the fifth edition of the program bringing live shows, workshops, seminars and meetings in theater, music, dance and circus arts to Naples’ outskirts closes on December 10. There are two events not to be missed: the urban circus festival Flow & Fly, on Sunday, December 6, at 5:30 p.m. at Parco Don Gallo, with a closing celebration of music, dance and social circus featuring the workshop students and the Baracca dei Buffoni; and the finale of Elektro-Festival on Monday, December 7, at 7:30 p.m. at Auditorium Porta del Parco, with the concert Il teatro del suono. Performers include the Mysterium Vocis choir, Marco Autiero, Francesco Santagata and Marco Volpicelli.

Gazebo Penguins at Lizard: right after the Rome date, the Emilian emo post-hardcore group heads south to play at Lizard Club in Caserta. The date is Thursday, December 10: admission €16.

Paolo Fresu at Cinema Teatro Acacia: Fresu, Di Bonaventura and Shirvani’s Christmas Songs arrive at the Acacia on Thursday, December 17, for a jazzy, intimate and refined Christmas. Full-price ticket €22.40.

A Concert-Musical by The Spleen Orchestra – The Music of Tim Burton: Cinema Teatro Acacia is also the venue for this show inspired by the gothic, visionary universe of the director of Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands and The Nightmare Before Christmas. The music is by Danny Elfman, Stephen Sondheim and other composers.

Osso Sacro: after their debut Urla dal confine, the electro folk rock trio from the Sannio area is back with Cave nove, released on October 30. The live presentation is scheduled for Monday, December 28, at Teatro Comunale Vittorio Emanuele in Benevento.

Doxapalooza: also in the Sannio area, on Monday, December 28, and Tuesday, December 29, the winter music and culture festival takes place. The venue is the medieval castle of Guardia Sanframondi, in the province of Benevento: admission is free.

The Christmas markets of Portici: the large markets at the Pietrarsa National Railway Museum run until January 6. Along themed itineraries around the “mystery” of the Christmas train, dozens of wooden stalls offer local crafts, decorations and traditional food.

The nativity scenes of San Gregorio Armeno: a stroll through the workshops of the artisans who make nativity figurines is even more of a ritual at Christmastime. The route between Via dei Tribunali and Spaccanapoli, open until Epiphany, is a true immersion in the soul of the city.