When the Christmas season arrives, the city of Como and its lake transform into a place suspended in time: lights reflecting on the water, villages filled with winter scents, and historic villas coming alive once again with concerts, markets, and fairytale atmospheres. Every corner of the city and its towns becomes a stage, and each day brings something new to discover: concerts, markets, light shows, family activities, exhibitions, food events, and special initiatives.
That’s why we created a complete and continuously updated guide that gathers all the most important Christmas 2025 events in Como and its surroundings — a page to save and consult throughout the season.
Enjoy your reading!
Como: Città dei Balocchi 2025 (events being updated)
Location: Historic center of Como
Dates: From 22 November 2025 to Epiphany (dates being updated)
Opening hours: To be updated
Como opens the Christmas season with the historic “Città dei Balocchi”, which from 22 November will illuminate the city center with light projections, markets, and family activities. The “Magic Light Festival” returns to transform squares and monuments into glowing stages: the Cathedral, Broletto, Palazzo Terragni, Teatro Sociale, Porta Torre, Piazza San Fedele, and Piazza Volta.
Piazza Perretta will host the market with 25 wooden chalets dedicated to gastronomy, crafts, and local products, while an additional chalet will offer entertainment activities. In Piazza Grimoldi, three stands will be dedicated to sports and volunteering.
Also confirmed are the ice skating rink from 22 November and the large Christmas tree in Piazza Duomo, which will be lit on 29 November.
We will update this section as soon as the official schedule and map are released.
Sources:
Article: https://comozero.it/attualita/a-como-e-gia-aria-natale-prende-forma-il-tradizionale-mercatino-in-piazza-perretta-e-si-illuminano-palazzi-e-piazze/
Brienno: Christmas Markets
Location: Brienno (CO)
Dates: 29–30 November + 6–7–8 December 2025
Opening hours: 11:00 – 21:00
Under the arches and narrow alleys of Brienno, the famous “Mercatini di Natale sotto i Portici”, now in their eleventh edition, return again this year. Overlooking the lake, the village offers a truly unique atmosphere: soft lights, the smell of mulled wine, and artisanal stalls selling handmade objects, decorations, and local specialties.
Food stands will serve traditional dishes such as onion soup, tripe, hamburgers, crêpes, hot chocolate, and apple fritters.
Children can enjoy the Santa Claus House, while guided tours of the Puncett Mine Gallery will be available from 14:00 to 17:00.
How to get there:
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Shuttle service Tavernola–Argegno with intermediate stops (10:30–21:30)
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Bus lines C10, C20, C25
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Lake Como Navigation boats
Sources:
Official website: https://www.noidibrienno.com/
Article: https://www.quicomo.it/eventi/mercatini-di-natale-lago-di-como-borgo-brienno-2025.html
Cernobbio: Christmas 2025 (events being updated)
The municipality’s Christmas program is still being defined, but several events are already listed on the official calendar:
8 December 2025 – Via 5 Giornate
“A spasso con Babbo Natale”, organized by “Amici di Cernobbio”
20 December 2025 – 17:00, Villa Bernasconi
Music Liberty Tour, guided visit with concert (reservation required)
24 December 2025 – 14:00–17:00, Villa Bernasconi
Christmas Eve at the Villa with Santa Claus, free entry with reservation
The full schedule will be added as soon as available.
Source:
https://cdn.ciaocomo.it/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/CALENDARIO_EVENTI_CERNOBBIO_2025.pdf
Extra Cernobbio: Christmas at Villa d’Este
Location: Villa D’Este, Via Regina 40, 22012 Cernobbio (CO)
Dates: 1 November 2025 – 6 January 2026
The renowned Villa d’Este offers a rich calendar of events and traditions celebrating the holiday season in an elegant and timeless setting. The season opened with the inauguration of the Greenhouse, the winter garden overlooking the lake dedicated to cocktails, aperitifs, and live music. It continues with:
26 November – Lighting Ceremony
A magical moment that illuminates the gardens and halls, marking the official beginning of the festivities.
From 27 November – Opening of the Cioccolateria
A delicious experience dedicated to fine pastry: artisanal panettone, pandoro, pralines, and an exquisite Afternoon Tea.
You can book your magical moment at this iconic villa (winner of numerous “best hotel in the world” awards) with a sweet break in Cioccolateria (https://www.sevenrooms.com/explore/cioccolateria/reservations/) or a piano aperitif in the Greenhouse. (https://www.sevenrooms.com/reservations/greenhousevilladeste).
Sources:
Article: https://www.quicomo.it/eventi/villa-d-este-programma-autunno-natale-capodanno-epifania.html
Official website: https://www.villadeste.com/it/il-natale-a-villa-deste
Menaggio: Menaggio on Ice 2025
Location: Menaggio (CO)
Dates: 20 November 2025 – 6 January 2026
Piazza Garibaldi once again hosts “Menaggio on Ice”, the traditional skating rink managed by the Red Cross in collaboration with the Municipality. A perfect place for families, children, and anyone wishing to enjoy fun and festive atmosphere in the heart of this beloved lakeside town.
Source:
https://mylakecomo.co/it/eventi/menaggio-on-ice-pista-di-pattinaggio-sul-ghiaccio/
Albiolo: La Casa di Babbo Natale (Santa Claus House)
Location: Via Quarto dei Mille 3, 22070 Albiolo (CO)
Dates: 29–30 November 2025
Opening time: From 15:00
The “Casa di Babbo Natale” (Santa Claus House) of Via Quarto dei Mille 3 in Albiolo lights up once again with over 50,000 lights — all for charity.
The lighting ceremony will take place at 16:00 on Saturday 29 November, while celebrations start at 15:00 with Christmas markets, workshops, face painting, pony rides for children, and food stands offering sweet and savory treats. As always, all proceeds will be donated to “Casa di Gabri” by Agorà 97, a socio-health community for minors with severe disabilities and high-complexity care needs.
Sources:
Article: https://primacomo.it/attualita/la-casa-di-babbo-natale-si-illumina-per-beneficenza/
Official FB page: https://www.facebook.com/lacasadibabbonatele.albiolo.7
To truly experience the magic of Christmas in Como, nothing beats a cozy and convenient stay: Quokka apartments, located between Como city center, the lakeside, and the surrounding villages, are the perfect choice to enjoy every event just a few steps away!
Beyond Como: Events in the Surrounding Areas
Beyond Como’s events, you can explore Lecco and Brianza — places where Christmas takes center stage! Here are two selected events, easy to visit while staying in Como (only 30–40 minutes by car) or in our Quokka 360 apartments in Lecco and near Milan.
Lecco: Christmas 2025
Dates: 15 November 2025 – 25 January 2026
Market hours: Weekdays: 10:00–19:00 / Saturdays, Sundays, holidays: 9:00–21:00
With the opening of the ice skating rink and the Christmas tree, Lecco launches its festive season. The markets fill Piazza XX Settembre and Piazza Cermenati with artisanal and local products.
The highlight event is “Lights on Lecco”, the projection show that from 22 November 2025 to 7 January 2026 illuminates the facades of the historic center. The program includes concerts, family entertainment, and the Christmas tree in Piazza Cermenati.
Source:
Article: https://www.leccotoday.it/attualita/luci-natale-lecco-2025-quando-si-accendono.html
Concorezzo: Christmas World
Location: Via Dante Alighieri 191/201, Concorezzo
Dates: From 18 October
Opening hours: 9:00–19:00 (special closures during holidays)
The Christmas World at AgriBrianza is a 1,500 m² journey through the world of Christmas: decorated trees, Lemax miniature villages, nativity scenes, lights, and endless gift ideas.
Entrance is free, with reservation recommended on the official website.
Sources:
Article: https://www.milanotoday.it/social/mercatini-natale-milano-lombardia-2025.html
Official website: https://www.agribrianza.it/pages/christmas-world
Stay tuned for more updates!
