Christmas is perhaps the best time of the year to spend with your family. Who wouldn’t want to drink a nice cup of hot chocolate sitting on the sofa snuggled up under a blanket, watching Home Alone or an old – but much loved – Disney classic?
At Christmas however, it’s also nice to enjoy what the city has to offer, and not be put off by the cold. In fact, there are many things to engage and amuse you, and especially the little ones, who possibly enjoy Christmas-time the most.
If your kids don’t want to hear about staying indoors, we have some advice on how to keep them busy in Milan during the next few December weekends.
Note: our advice is for those people who have planned ahead, who have already done their Christmas shopping or will do it online. For all the others, your time will be spent queuing in shops.
photo credit: Wesley TingeyThose of you who enjoy the Christmas spirit should definitely go and take a look at Santa’s village in the Giardini Pubblici Indro Montanelli.
From the 2nd December to the 7th January, this important park will sport an ice rink, merry-go-rounds, attractions, elves and even a real Santa Claus to whom the kids themselves can hand their Christmas list.
And while your kids are riding on the Christmas merry-go-round, you can treat your palate to crêpes, doughnuts and mulled wine.
Santa’s village
From the 4th December to the 7th January, the Darsena, the centre of Milan nightlife, becomes a magical place.
There’s everything a child needs to plunge into the Christmas dream.. Begin with the Percorso delle Fiabe (lit. the path of the fairytale) – a small pine forest decorated with lights where you can listen to Christmas carols – and then climb into the water sleigh that will take you to Santa’s house. You can even meet him in person!
What’s the highlight of the Darsena Christmas Village? The underwater nativity scene conjured up by the rowing club Canottieri San Cristoforo, an extremely evocative show which you shouldn’t miss.
Don’t worry if you’re not sure how to get to the Christmas Village: just follow the gigantic Christmas tree that stands out in the middle of the Darsena river, surrounded by lights, different colours and sounds.
photo from freestocks.org
If on the days to come you happen to be in the centre of town with kids in tow, you definitely have to check out this musical happening, suitable for kids and grownups alike.
Everyday at 6 pm a window of the Palazzo del Comune in piazza Duomo (on the cathedral’s right hand-side) lights up to present a different musician. Every day another musician will join those who are already there, until, all together, they make up a twenty-four piece orchestra that will play for the public on Christmas eve.
On Sunday the 17th December, at the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, you and your family will be able to try the biggest panettone in the world, in an event that lets you see up close and, above all, taste free of charge a panettone that weighs a staggering 140 kg and is 2,5 m high.
This gigantic cake is made by the Pasticceria San Gregorio, one of the best bakeries in town, and will be cut into 1200 slices and given out to the public.
If your kids don’t like the panettone because it has candied fruit in it, you should take them all the same to see this amazing show: it’s definitely worth it.
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