23 Dec The most beautiful Christmas markets to be visited before the Epiphany.
The most beautiful Christmas markets to be visited before the Epiphany.
The traditional fair of Oh Bej Oh Bej is over, but the city is still enlivened by stalls until the day of the Epiphany. Crafts, vintage goods, street food and events for children transform Milan into a great Christmas Village.
In Piazza of the Duomo, in the shadow of the Madonnina and the big fir, nestled between Corso Vittorio Emanuele II and via Arcivescovado there’s the busiest market.
Until nine o’clock in the evening you can stroll through the stalls that display handmade items, clothing (even ethnic), crafts and goodies of all kinds. An opportunity to taste the typical products of the Italian regions, listening to the music of the pipers. The appointment in Piazza of the Duomo has charitable purposes as well, because it contributes, in accordance with the Veneranda Fabbrica, to the restoration of the spiers of the Cathedral.
It’s possible to feel the atmosphere of the mountain while remaining in the city: a few steps from Piazzale Accursio the traditional wooden houses of the Christmas market in Piazza Portello have been set up. Here you can find the specialties of Trentino, wooden objects and ceramics, blown glass and other decorations, furnishings for the table, candles and boiled wool fabrics. Inevitable delicacies are mulled wine, sausages with polenta, strudel, chocolate poured over fresh fruit, donuts and hot sandwiches.
The Christmas holidays are a great time to do small acts of solidarity too. The Banco of Garabombo in Corso Vercelli area (at the car park on via Mario Pagano), is a gazebo dedicated to fair trade where you can find food, crafts, books and clothing from around the world and support the campaign “Help us to help” by donating one or more products.
For a few more days, until January 10th, the Village of Wonders at Indro Montanelli Public Gardens (near Corso Venezia) offers many attractions to entertain children and families among lights, animations and music. In addition to stands and wooden houses selling traditional desserts, like pancakes, pastries and delicious goodies, workshops and charity activities are organized, as well as indoor and outdoor refreshments (Polentoteca) and the comfortable "Kitchen of the Epiphany". The highlight of the Village is the covered double ice rink, with a skate rental service.
But the big news this year is the Christmas Village at the Darsena. With the requalification that took place on the occasion of Expo Milano 2015, the Darsena of Navigli became one of the major points of attraction in the city. Throughout the summer it has been populated by people who arrived there for a walk or to have a drink on floating barges; now it becomes a magical Christmas place. At the Village you can find everything, from the decorated tree 15 meters high to the craftmanship market. The fun is not lacking: the "Fairytale Path" is an illuminated small pine forest where you can listen to music with a Christmas theme, then get on the water sled that takes you to Santa's House (weekends only). Even here you can skate on ice, on a platform overhanging the water. The 5 euros ticket including entrance and skate rental will be donated to "I cheer positive" Association. If you want to shop there, there’s the "Christmas Market" with typical wooden chalets of South Tyrol. Also the LED Cube floating for the occasion will turn into an Advent Calendar and give life to light shows.
Therefore, there is plenty of choice: you only have to put a warm scarf and a coat on and get out!
