Table Of Contents
- Ice skating in Central Station
- Candlelight: Tribute to Ludovico Einaudi
- Food tours in hidden neighborhoods
- Night Spa
- Candlelight dinner in a vintage streetcar.
- Christmas markets in Piazza Duomo
- Snowshoeing in Lombardy
- A trip to the mountains near Milan
- The Bernina Train
- Reaching the Arctic Circle by train
- A tasting tour of the best hot chocolates
- An evening of karaoke
- Procession of the Three Kings
- Space Dreamers
- Dracula Dance Show by Moonlight
Winter in Milan, that time of year when fog wraps the skyscrapers like a cashmere scarf and saffron risotto becomes your best friend.
But don’t let the apparent grayness fool you: the Lombard metropolis hides a treasure trove of unique experiences that will make you forget the bitter cold.
Whether you are looking for romantic adventures, outings with friends or simply ways to brilliantly escape the gloom of the rain, we have compiled a list of 15 must-do activities to make your Milanese winter unforgettable.
Ice skating in Central Station
Swirl on ice with the breathtaking backdrop of an illuminated Milan: Senstation Winter in Piazza Duca d’Aosta offers you this magical experience. Open from December 7, 2024 to January 6, 2025, it is the perfect place for a romantic evening or to have fun with friends. Access to the rink is free, with skate and penguin rentals available for the little ones. Open from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. (with special hours for the holidays), the village offers breathtaking sets, ledwalls, projections on the station facade, and a majestic 18-meter-high Light tree.
Where: Duke of Aosta Square
Candlelight: Tribute to Ludovico Einaudi
Imagine immersing yourself in an oasis of sound, where Einaudi’s crystalline notes dance in the air, illuminated by a sea of flickering candles. The San Fedele Auditorium is transformed into an ethereal stage for this extraordinary concert, where you can indulge in 65 minutes of pure musical magic. From the celebrated “White Clouds” to the hypnotic “Experience,” let virtuoso pianists take you on an unprecedented emotional journey. This evening promises to be an unforgettable sensory adventure. Upcoming concert dates are Saturday, January 18 and Saturday, January 25, 2025. Get ready to experience music in a whole new dimension!
Where: San Fedele Auditorium
Food tours in hidden neighborhoods
Explore the authentic flavors of Milan with a food tour in less touristy neighborhoods. From Isola to NoLo, passing through Porta Romana, you will discover artisan stores, historic bakeries and hidden osterias. Taste cassoeula, the best schnitzel, risotto al salto and, why not, a slice of artisanal panettone. Guided tours are available by reservation, but the do-it-yourself adventure is just as tasty!
Night Spa
What could be better than a warm bath while the cold rages outside? The QC spa in Porta Romana offers a unique spa experience, open until midnight on weekends. Soak in the heated outdoor pools, relax in the saunas, and enjoy a wellness aperitif. Reservations recommended, especially for spa treatments.
Where: Piazzale Medaglie D’Oro, 2
Candlelight dinner in a vintage streetcar.
Travel through time and space with a gourmet dinner aboard a historic streetcar. The ride will take you through Milan’s most picturesque places while you enjoy a star-studded menu. The retro and intimate atmosphere is perfect for a romantic evening. Places are limited, so reservations are essential at least one month in advance.
Where: Piazza Castello, 2
Christmas markets in Piazza Duomo
Soak up the Christmas atmosphere by strolling through the stalls of the market in Piazza Duomo. Local crafts, food specialties and unique decorations await you. It will be open until early January with more than 60 little houses, daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. And if you are looking for other Christmas markets, find other locations in the city and the rest of Lombardy here.
Snowshoeing in Lombardy
Slip on your snowshoes and leave your footprints in the pristine snow: the mountains of Lombardy are calling you for an adventure that will make you forget city stress. From the Piani di Artavaggio to the peaks of the Orobie Park, there’s a trail for every experience level. Have you ever walked under a starry sky on a night snowshoe hike, or reached a cozy mountain hut where you can enjoy a steaming polenta? With departures only 90 km from Milan, you can easily plan a weekend of adrenaline and relaxation. Here you will find what we think are the most beautiful snowshoeing tours to do in Lombardy.
Don’t forget your camera: the breathtaking views will leave you breathless!
A trip to the mountains near Milan
The perfect winter escape? Just a stone’s throw from Milan, the Pre-Alps await you with a range of breathtaking experiences. You can whiz down the pristine slopes of Madesimo, just 140 km from the metropolis, with more than 60 km of trails for every level. And if you prefer a quieter hike, the Piani dei Resinelli, an hour’s drive away, will give you postcard-perfect views of Lake Como.
Don’t forget to end the day at a cozy mountain hut, where you can delight your palate with the delicacies of mountain cuisine. Winter has never been so exciting!
The Bernina Train
Get ready for a railway adventure that will leave you breathless! The Bernina Express, a jewel of the Rhaetian Railway, invites you on an epic journey through the majestic Alps. This engineering marvel defies gravity on vertiginous tracks, traversing 55 tunnels and 196 breathtaking bridges. From wild gorges to eternal glaciers to the palm trees of Tirano, every glimpse is a masterpiece. The state-of-the-art panoramic carriages will make you feel part of the landscape, giving you an unparalleled travel experience.
With frequent departures from Tirano, which can be reached in just over two hours from Milan. Reserve your seats in the panoramic carriages and get ready for a journey that will redefine the concept of a “day trip”!
Website: Rhaetian Railway
Reaching the Arctic Circle by train
Do you dream of pushing the boundaries of the everyday? Here’s the perfect opportunity for you: hop on a train in Milan and wake up in the enchantment of the Arctic Circle. This epic journey will take you through fairy-tale landscapes, from the Swiss Alps to the snowy expanses of Lapland. Watch the Northern Lights dance across the night sky, experience the thrill of driving a husky sled, and savor Nordic cuisine in an ice igloo. With weekly departures and all-inclusive packages, this Arctic adventure is more affordable than ever. Get ready for an experience that will redefine “unforgettable travel”!
Here are all our directions for embarking on this experience.
A tasting tour of the best hot chocolates
Milan transforms into a glutton’s paradise when the cold weather bites. Immerse yourself in a tour of the city’s most renowned chocolate shops, where every sip is a caress for the soul. From Gay Odin, with its handcrafted chocolate, to the historic Pasticceria Marchesi 1824, where you can enjoy a cup of velvety cocoa perfection in an old-fashioned atmosphere. Don’t miss the thick, creamy chocolate at Zaini, a Milanese institution since 1913.
Here we have listed our 10 favorite places in Milan.
An evening of karaoke
Aspiring singers and music lovers, it’s time to shine! Milan offers a myriad of venues where you can unleash your artistic streak, microphone in hand. Whether you are a singing virtuoso or a simple enthusiast, the important thing is to have fun. Try Polygram, for an Asian-style experience of the most authentic kind, or House of Ronin, with as many as four themed private rooms to enjoy karaoke on a dreary evening. And that’s just the beginning!
To discover all the temples of Milanese karaoke, check out this exhaustive list. Get your vocal cords ready and get carried away by the magic of music!
Procession of the Three Kings
On January 6, Milan transforms into a living stage for the majestic Procession of the Three Kings. This centuries-old tradition will catapult you into a medieval atmosphere, with more than 150 figures in period costumes parading through the streets of downtown. At 11:30 a.m., the Three Wise Men of the East, accompanied by the festive notes of the Civic Band and a retinue of distinguished figures in period dress – secular and ecclesiastical dignitaries, gentlewomen and knights – will walk down Turin Street, arriving at the Columns of San Lorenzo around 12:15 p.m. Here the Magi will meet King Herod. Immediately afterwards, the procession will resume its journey, heading to the basilica of Sant’Eustorgio and offer their precious gifts to the Holy Family. This is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in Milanese history and end the holiday season with a touch of magic.
Arrive early to secure the best seats along the route and get ready for an experience that will leave you speechless!
Space Dreamers
Is taking off into the unknown your biggest dream? With Space Dreamers you can make it come true! This experience catapults you on a sensory journey through the wonders of the cosmos without leaving Cesare Beccaria Square. You’ll float through glowing clouds, dance with constellations and skim the lunar surface thanks to 18 immersive installations created by visionaries Elena and Giulia Sella. With new attractions “Fly me to the moon,” “Interstellar” and “Free Your Power,” the experience is elevated to new heights of awe. We assure you that this multi-sensory adventure will leave you speechless.
Where: Cesare Beccaria Square
Dracula Dance Show by Moonlight
Get ready for an electrifying evening where Victorian Gothic meets cabaret sensuality! At the San Babila Theater, the prince of darkness rises again in a show that challenges the boundaries between seduction and terror. Be enchanted by sinuous dancers who bring Bram Stoker’s prose to life, while an enigmatic master of ceremonies guides you through a realm of shadows and desire. Under the glow of an artificial moon and hypnotic lights, you will witness a daring fusion of contemporary dance and classical fiction. This adult cabaret promises to awaken your senses and make you crave the forbidden bite. The date is for January 22, 2025. Purchase your tickets as soon as possible so you don’t risk being without.
Where: San Babila Theater – Corso Venezia, 2/A