Enjoy Italian Christmas Markets in November

Italy is a beautiful country to visit at any time of the year. The scenery is breathtaking, whether it’s a cliff-hugging beach or a medieval hilltop village. We’ve chosen November as our month to explore the Langhe in the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy. Why November? The air is crisp, the wines will be delicious, and you get to celebrate white truffle season and Christmas markets in the same week!

Our first weeklong Piedmont tour ends in mid-November, and several Christmas markets open up at this time in gorgeous historical cities like Verona, Bologna, and Arezzo. If you book our second Piedmont tour, even more towns will be open, like the mountain city of Trento or the gorgeous city of Florence. Start your holiday season in Italy with us, and stock up on Italian gourmet food and wine for Christmas! 

If you would like to stay in Italy and experience Christmas cheer the Italian way, these cities have their Christmas markets and decorations ready for you by mid-November:

Asti Christmas Market

November 15- December 21 Weekends only in November

(est. 2026 dates- November 14-Dec 20)

The Asti Christmas Market is known as “Italy’s Most Romantic Christmas Market”. We spend our last Sunday on each of our Piedmont tours exploring Asti with its Gothic and Romanesque architecture, ancient towers, and its beautiful Christmas market. Gourmet products such as cheese, sausages, wine, and sweets feature heavily at this market. By this time, you’ll know which wines and munchies you’ll want to bring home with you!

The Asti Christmas Market is only open on weekends in November, and then Thursday through Sunday in December.

Where to Stay: Casa Margot– a fully functioning apartment with a queen bed, kitchen, and washing machine, located in the dead center of Asti near the Piazza San Secondo.

Note: Milan and Lake Como open their Christmas markets on December 1.

Verona

November 14- December 26

(est. 2026 dates- November 13- December 26)

Verona embodies romance and history in every corner of the city. Inspiring Shakespeare’s love story, Romeo and Juliet, this is an Italian city worth a long visit. With its Arena and bridges dating back to the Romans and its distinctive red and white limestone striped buildings, this enchanting city embraces the holiday season.  The main Christmas market, held in the charming Piazza dei Signori, is framed by Verona’s stunning medieval architecture, offering a perfect backdrop for the adorable Christmas chalets selling artisanal products, specialty foods, and holiday treats.

Where to Stay: Opera Relais De Charme – Aparthotel- spacious studio with king-size bed and a kitchenette overlooking the popular shopping street, Viale Mazzini. It’s a 3-minute walk from the Verona Arena.

Montepulciano

Christmas Village November 16- January 6, 2026 weekends only

(est. 2026 dates: November 15- January 6, 2027)

Montepulciano will be all aglow with Christmas lights starting in mid-November. The Christmas market stretches throughout the town from Piazza Grande to Via San Donato and the surrounding streets. The medieval fortress transforms into Father Christmas Castle, where you can see Santa’s magic kitchen, the elves’ workshops, and even where the reindeer are kept. The Duomo di Montepulciano and the Torre di Pulcinella will be all aglow in Christmas lights.

Where to Stay: Palazzo Nobile di San Donato – Historic Experience– Located in the heart of Montepulciano by the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption and Piazza Grande, the rooms are romantically Renaissance while offering modern conveniences. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with vegetarian and gluten-free options.

Arezzo

Christmas City November 16- January 6, 2026 Thursday-Sunday

(est. 2026 dates: November 15-January 6, 2027)

Set in Tuscany, Arezzo boasts beautiful squares, narrow alleys, and stunning landmarks like the Piazza Grande, the Medici Fortress, and the Romanesque Chiesa di Santa Maria della Pieve.

The Christmas market, nestled within the historic streets and arcades, offers plenty of seasonal treats, and Tyrolean craftsmen will be on hand to share their Austrian/Italian products, making this a magical Christmas experience.

Where to Stay: Via Roma 25 Bed & Breakfast– Modern rooms with a king-size bed and a coffee shop on the premises, it’s a 5-minute walk to Basilica di San Francesco.

Cinecitta World in Rome

November 8-January 6, 2026

(est. 2026 dates: November 7- January 6, 2027)

Rome may not be ready for the holidays mid-November, but this exciting city is beautiful any time of the year. Visiting Rome in mid-November offers a perfect balance of mild weather and fewer crowds. Visit the Colosseum, the Pantheon, and the Vatican City without the summer rush, and head to the Cinecitta World for an extra dose of movie magic and festive decorations. Meet Santa and other Christmas movie characters, go ice skating, enjoy special Christmas-themed shows and the Christmas Village, and catch a snowflake on your tongue as snow falls nightly, no matter the temperature.  

Where to Stay: Boutique Hotel Piedra Rome City Centre– King-size beds and centrally located to the Vatican City, Castel Sant’Angelo, and Piazza Navona.

Or you could stay at Frattina 57. Piazza di Spagna is a 4-minute walk away, and the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain are a 7-minute walk away. Remember, Rome is a huge city.

If you book our second Piedmont Tour from November 16-Nov 23, these additional Christmas Markets will be open:

Trento

November 21- January 6, 2026

(est. 2026 dates: November 20- January 6, 2027)

Nicknamed “Città del Natale” (city of Christmas), Trento or Trentino, is a mountain town where the food and architecture display its Austrian-Italian influences.  Piazza Fiera and Piazza Cesare Battisti will be decorated in garlands and lights, and the little wooden Christmas huts will have local food products and artisanal crafts from the region. Trento will also feature an “eco-friendly market” focused on environmental sustainability. Don’t miss the Castello del Buonconsiglio, a perfectly preserved fortress, in the heart of the historical center.

After visiting Trento, continue by train north to Bolzano, Merano, and Bressanone for more Christmas magic surrounded by the Dolomite Mountains. The Bolzano Christmas market is the oldest and largest Christmas Market in Italy. These markets open late November.

Where to Stay: B&B La Loggia Del Castello– Located on the edge of the city center within a 1-minute walk to the Buonconsiglio Castle. The beautifully decorated rooms are housed in a historical building with king-sized beds, and guests can enjoy a continental, buffet, Italian, vegetarian, and gluten-free breakfast of their choice.

Florence

November 23 to December 22

(est. 2026 dates: November 22- December 21)

It can’t get more magical than strolling through the Birthplace of the Renaissance during the holiday season. The wooden Christmas huts in Piazza Santa Croce offer a blend of local crafts, seasonal treats, and festive decorations. Florence’s iconic landmarks like the Duomo, the Uffizi Gallery, and the Ponte Vecchio will be adorned with Christmas lights. just a short stroll away. The aromas of sweet, caramelized nuts and meaty sausages add to the cozy atmosphere and lively piazzas. Florence is gorgeous any time of the year, but with fewer crowds in November, extraordinary artwork, and holiday decorations, it’s even more enchanting.

Where to Stay: B&B Dell’Olio– With its star-vaulted ceilings, king-size bed, washing machine in the room and less than 500 ft from the Florence Cathedral, you may not want to leave. Did I mention it was soundproof?

Lucca

November 23- January 6, 2026

(est. 2026 dates: November 22- January 6, 2027)

Lucca, the smaller neighbor to the west of Florence, offers a charming blend of historic beauty and festivities during the Christmas season.  The Lucca Magic Christmas, set in the picturesque Piazza Napoleone, features a mix of local crafts, holiday treats, and seasonal decorations within this medieval town. Take a stroll along the Renaissance-era walls surrounding the city, marvel at the grand Cathedral of San Martino, and step into the Piazza dell’Anfiteatro, which was once an ancient Roman amphitheater. Lucca gained its fame from its production of silk in the 11^th century, and it’s the birthplace of many Italian composers, most notably Giacomo Puccini, who produced the opera Madama Butterfly. If you want to have a more authentic Italian experience, Lucca is the perfect destination.  

Where to Stay: Hotel Palazzo Alexander– Located within the city walls, the hotel offers soudproof, king-size beds, and an American breakfast. Lucca Cathedral and Guinigi Tower are both just a 10-minute walk away.

Start your vacation with our Piedmont wine tour and taste the regional specialties of Piedmont, then continue your journey across other parts of Italy to enjoy more local flavors and holiday festivities. You can’t visit all of Italy in two weeks, but we hope we gave you some unique ideas of other cities to explore during the holiday season.