Experience the Holiday Magic of the Italian Christmas Markets, i Mercatini di Natale!

It may not be Christmas yet, but these unique markets are starting soon, if not already open to the public! Italy is renowned for its seasonal Christmas Markets during the holidays, a tradition that spread over from Germany and Austria. Both visitors and Italians alike enjoy the incredible array of goods that are displayed during this special time of the year. Big cities to small villages all over Italy participate in this cultural event.

Some markets only last a few days, a few are open only during the weekends, and others run up to a month and a half, often going through the Epiphany on January 6th. These markets are filled with delicious artisanal foods, high quality hand made gifts & wooden items, candy, decorations, toys and the list goes on… most of which are made locally! Visiting a Mercatino di Natale is always a very memorable experience.

The Italians pride themselves not only for the wide and interesting selection of products for sale, but equally for the mouth-watering displays of the exquisite local food and drinks available for tasting. For a truly authentic experience, one can venture to Abruzzo, where special transportion via train called the Transiberiana d'Italia, takes you around to all the Christmas markets in the surrounding areas.
Hop on and go for the shopping ride of your life!
BUON DIVERTIMENTO! HAVE FUN!

Below is only a small sampling of some of the more well known markets, but many others also exist!
Place, Date and Link to the Christmas Markets:
Aosta 1. Dec - 6. Jan 2017 Christmas Market
Arco 18. Nov - 6. Jan 2017 Arco Christmas Market
Bolzano - Bozen 24. Nov - 6. Jan 2017 Christkindlmarkt Bozen
Bressanone 25. Nov - 6. Jan 2017 Brixen Christmas Market
Bruneck 25. Nov - 6. Jan 2017 Christkindlmarkt Bruneck
Genova December Christmas Market
Glorenza 8. - 11. Dec Glorenza Advent
Val Gardena 2. Dec - 8. Jan 17 Grödner Christkindlmarkt
Castelrotto Weekends Kastelruther Weihnachtsmarkt
Levico Terme 24. Nov - 6. Jan 2017 Mercatino di Natale
Livigno 28. Nov - 23. Dec Christmas Market
Martell 8. - 11. December Christmas Market
Merano 28. Nov - 6. Jan 2017 Merano Advent
Milano Dec - Jan 2017 Mercatino di Natale - Piazza Duomo
Milano Dec - Jan 2017 Mercatino di Natale - Giardini Pubblici
Napoli Dec - Jan 2017 Christmas Market at the Piazza Italia
Ritten Advent weekends Rittner Christbahnl
Roma Nov - Jan 2017 Christmas Market
Rovereto 23. Nov - 6. Jan 2017 Mercatino di Natale
Sarntal Advent Weekends Alpenadvent Sarntal
Sterzing 25. Nov. - 6. Jan 2017 Südtiroler Christmas Market
Tirol 8. - 11. Dec Tyrolen Christmas Market at Tirol Castle
Torino Dec Christmas Market
Trento 19. Nov - 6. Jan 2017 Trento Christmas Market
Verona 18. Nov - 26. Dec Christmas Market
Information is subject to change - please check the websites for the latest updates.
For more information regarding Christmas Markets, please visit the Italian Tourism website .

photo credits: wikimedia, regioni-italiane.com, news-town.it, italiantourism.com
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