The Verona Christmas market might be one of the last holiday secrets in northern Italy. It certainly gets busy with locals but I think it’s still somewhat overlooked by travelers in favor of more famous Christmas markets in northern Italy,
UNESCO-recognized Verona is already one of the dreamiest cities you’ll see in all of Italy. But at Christmas time, the city’s storybook allure is decked out with all the sparkle of the holiday season.
Lights are draped over the piazzas and across the cobblestone lanes. Christmas trees, ornaments, nativity displays, and scenes of winter festivities play out across this romantic city. And among it all are the rows of market stalls spread around the city’s piazzas that make up the series of Verona Christmas markets.
I’ve been lucky enough to visit Verona at Christmas a few times (most recently in 2023 & 2024), in addition to spending time here outside of the Christmas season. Truthfully, it’s one of my favorite spots in northern Italy to return to.
So, while most visitors focus on the Christmas in Milan or Venice, let me share everything I love about the Christmas market in Verona so you can plan your visit and take part in the holiday joy that fills this gorgeous Italian city.
Verona Christmas Market 2025: Official Dates & Hours
Verona’s Christmas market will run from Friday, November 21st to Thursday, December 28th.
The Christmas market will be open:
- Sunday to Thursday: 10:00 am – 9:00 pm
- Friday, Saturday, and Public Holidays: 10:00 am – 11:00 pm
- Christmas Eve: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Christmas Day: 4:00 pm – 11:00 pm
- Boxing Day/December 26th: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
- December 27th: 10:00 am – 11:00 pm
- December 28th: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Locations of the Christmas Market in Verona
- Piazza Bra (with the Verona Arena as the backdrop)
- Piazza dei Signori
- Piazza Sacco e Vanzetti (Arsenale)
If you’re wondering when is the best time to visit the Verona Christmas market in 2025, I recommend timing your visit with the Feast of Santa Lucia on December 13th. It’s an especially festive time in Verona and Italy as a whole. On one of my previous visits to the Christmas market in Verona, I went during this time and there were extra stalls set up around some squares in the city on the days leading up to the holiday.
You can also visit the official website for the 2025 Verona Christmas Market to check for additional information.
Things to Do at the Verona Christmas Market
In 2025, the Christmas markets in Verona will be centered around Piazza Bra. This is main square of Verona with the Roman arena. You’ll also find more stalls set up in the courtyards just off of Piazza delle Erbe, mainly in the Piazza dei Signori.
If you’ve been to Christmas markets in Germany, you’ll notice a hint of this vibe here in Verona. (Nuremberg and Verona are partner cities.) So, if you were hoping for sausage or bratwurst, you won’t be disappointed!
But unlike the sprawling holiday markets in other cities, the one in Verona feels more quaint and welcoming. You can shop and eat to your heart’s content even if you plan to spend just a day or night in the city.
Personally, I love the feel of the Verona Christmas market. Even with 60+ stalls set up, I felt like I was in a scene from a Christmas village. It also helps that Verona is drop-dead gorgeous and, when you add lights and sparkles to that, you can’t help but think you just might see Romeo and Juliet walking hand-in-hand with a cup of mulled wine.
Shop, Eat, and Be Merry!
The open-air Christmas market in Verona is full of traditional crafts, gift ideas, vin brule (mulled wine) and food stalls guaranteed to get you in the holiday spirit. I love shopping for Christmas ornaments and have a few pretty glass and ceramic ones that I couldn’t leave without that make it onto my tree every year.
Aside from the sausages, be sure to try the crunchy, baked flatbreads either with speck, a type of cured ham, and onions or potatoes and cheese. I love the one with delicious potatoes and cheese.
And once you’ve had your fill of savory, you’ll find plenty of traditional sweets to balance out your taste buds! Get a slice of pandoro, a fruit-filled pastry, or a bretzel drizzled with chocolate.
Try a Bombardino.
Vin Brule and even cioccolata calda (hot chocolate) might be the drink you think of when you’re at a Christmas market.
But at the Verona Christmas market, you should also taste a bombardino, a warm, winter cocktail made with an egg liqueur and brandy, and topped with a swirl of whipped cream and cinnamon.
It’s the perfect drink to warm you up (and wake you up!) on a chilly winter night and is also popular as an apres-ski drink when you’re skiing in northern Italy’s gorgeous Alps!
Meet Babbo Natale.
If you’re visiting Verona at Christmas with young children or you’re just a kid-at-heart, you can visit Santa Claus, known as Babbo Natale in Italy, at his house. In years past, he was waiting in the Cortile del Tribunale which is connected to the Piazza dei Signori.
The last time I visited, Santa himself made an appearance in the courtyard!
Buy a few (or many) Pandoro Cakes!
Milan has panettone but Verona invented the even better pandoro cake…at least in my opinion! This golden cake is shaped like an 8-point star and dusted with confectionary sugar to remind you of the mountains in the Veneto region. Unlike panettone, it doesn’t have candied fruit or raisins.
But don’t let its simplicity fool you! This fluffy egg-based cake is delicious!
If you decide to take some pandoro cakes with you, don’t be surprised if they come without the confectionary sugar. They travel better that way and can be dusted later by adding the sugar to the bag and shaking to coat the cake.
See the Christmas lights sparkle.
On the walk from Piazza Bra to the stalls in Piazza Signori, the streets of the historic center are decorated with holiday lights and Christmas decorations that string from one side to the other.
Even the biggest Scrooge can’t help but smile at the winter wonderland of glittering lights over Verona’s already gorgeous streets. Along the way, it’s fun to do some holiday shopping at the city’s boutiques.
ProTip: If you’re spending the day in Verona before the lights turn on, walk along the Ponte di Castelvecchio for beautiful winter views of Verona’s Adige River and surrounding hills. You can even head up to the Castel San Pietro via the funicular or on foot for incredible city views. The Torre dei Lamberti next to Piazza delle Erbe also is a great spot for a birds-eye view of the city.
Stop to see the Presepi dal Mondo.
Presepe (presepi plural) is the Italian word for nativity scene and Verona hosts an annual event, the Presepi dal Mondo festival, where you can see nativity scenes from all over the world.
The event displays hundreds of intricate nativity scenes, even catching the attention of the Guinness Book of World Records for being the biggest of its kind.
These works of art and craftmanship are seen by a million people each year and it’s easy to see why they’re so popular. The scenes are so intricate and impressive!
In the past, the presepi were on display inside the Verona Arena. In recent years, they were on display inside the Palazzo della Gran Guardia on the opposite side of Piazza Bra from the Arena.
But in 2025, you can see the nativity scenes from Saturday, November 16 to Sunday, January 18th (2026), from 9:00 am – 8:00 pm in the Palazzo del Capitanio in the Cortile del Tribunale which is off Piazza Erbe or Piazza dei Signori. You can buy your tickets in advance here.
Admire Verona’s Star.
Since 1984, a huge arch with a star at the end of it coming from inside the Verona Arena to Piazza Bra outside has been the symbol of the International Nativity Scene Festival and more generally, Verona at Christmas.
But if you visit Verona during the holiday season in 2025, expect to see just the star but without a tail of light. In January 2023, a piece of the base fell onto the steps of the Arena and now the iconic symbol needs to be renovated. The part of the ancient stairs of the arena, however, seem to be permanently damaged.
Best Time to Visit the Verona Christmas Markets
The Verona Christmas market is at its best for about a month, from the end of November until Christmas day. The magical Christmas atmosphere grows bigger as you get into early December so this is when I would recommend you try to time your visit.
I’ve specifically visited around the Feast of Saint Lucia (Feast of Saint Lucy) which falls on December 13th. The city is even more alive, with some additional stalls setting up for the holiday.
If you can, plan to spend at least one night in Verona or take a late train back to where you’re staying. Verona and its Christmas market are even prettier when the lights are on and you’ll run into more Italians who visit the markets in the evening.
Be Prepared for the Festive Chill!
November and December are winter months in Verona. Temperatures drop to the high 30s-mid 40s Fahrenheit. But in all honesty, I wouldn’t have it any other way. The chilly temps and the merry vibes make it truly feel like the holiday season.
Plan to wear layers, a hat, a winter coat, and warm boots or shoes, or else enjoy enough mulled wine or Verona’s signature Bombardino to warm your insides!
Have some Euros in Cash…Just in Case.
Many of the vendor booths will accept payment by card. But in some cases, you’ll need to pay cash. In Italy, ATMs are known as Bancomats and you’ll find several throughout the historic center if you need to grab some cash.
How to Get to Verona
Verona is conveniently situated in the region of Veneto. The city is well-connected by public transportation and northern Italy’s autostradas.
That being said, it’s quick and easy to reach Verona by train, and is what I have done for all but one of my visits to the city.
Here’s what you need to know.
Getting to Verona by Plane
Verona Airport (VRN) is one of northern Italy’s airports that services routes from other cities in Europe. So if you’re coming from places like Dublin, London, Madrid, Paris, Munich, or even other points in Italy like Naples or Palermo, you can fly directly to Verona Airport.
Otherwise, you’ll need to fly to a larger international airport like Milan Malpensa or Venice Marco Polo and then take a train to reach Verona.
After arriving at Verona Airport, you can easily take a metered taxi to your hotel which should cost about €25-€30. Or you can use the Aerobus shuttle, which costs €7, to get from the airport to Verona Porta Nuova, the main train station in Verona.
From there, you can walk or take a taxi to your hotel.
Getting to Verona by Train
Verona Porta Nuova train station is well-connected to many points throughout northern Italy. It sits along the high-speed train line that runs from Milan to Venice and also has direct routes from other major northern Italian cities like Turin, Genoa, Bologna, and Trento. If you’re already in Italy, the quickest and easiest way to get to Verona is by train.
The high-speed train even makes it possible to take a day trip to the Verona Christmas market if you’re short on time. For example, you could leave Milan in the morning, spend the day enjoying all the things to do in Verona at Christmas, and take a late train back so that you can eat and shop at the holiday markets once the sun has gone down and the lights have turned on.
Driving to Verona
Getting to Verona by car isn’t difficult. I did it during a northern Italy road trip from my house in Piemonte that included Verona, the Santuario Madonna della Corona, and the Dolomites.
You’ll have to park in one of Verona’s paid parking lots near the city center. Or use hotel parking if you’re staying a night.
Just be mindful that you can’t drive into Verona’s historic city center. There are pedestrian zones and designated ZTLs (Traffic Limitation Zones) which are only for residents or people with a permit to drive in these areas.
Getting to Verona by Bus
You can also take a bus to Verona from many cities in northern Italy. This tends to be a more wallet-friendly mode of public transportation but can take longer than the train. Be sure to compare prices and schedules with train options and your own timing to see what makes the most sense.
Where to Stay in Verona at Christmas
One of the best things about Verona’s city center is that everything is easy to get to on foot. So no matter what your budget is or where you stay within the old town, you’ll be able to reach the Verona Christmas market and other popular sights like the Arena of Verona or Juliet’s Balcony.
Hotel Indigo
This hotel is a stylish blend of modern comforts and classic Italian charm located just a couple of minutes’ walk from Piazza Bra and the Verona Arena. If you’re arriving by car, the hotel has an affiliation with a parking garage nearby. Otherwise, the walk from the train station is just 10 minutes.
Hotel Accademia
If you’re looking for an elegant or romantic stay with historic charm in an ideal city center location, take a look at Hotel Accademia. The hotel’s private parking is a bonus if you’re exploring northern Italy by car.
Hotel Giulietta E Romeo
Cozy, welcoming, and just steps from the Verona Arena, the simply designed rooms and helpful staff at Hotel Giulietta e Romeo will help you have a great stay in Verona.
Albergo Mazzanti
This boutique hotel is a gem in the heart of the city near the Verona Christmas celebrations and all of the city’s top landmarks. You’ll be just steps away from Piazza Erbe, one of the most beautiful piazzas in all of Italy.
Are you ready to visit the Verona Christmas Market?
Christmas in Verona comes with such a fun and festive atmosphere! If your northern Italy trip includes enjoying Christmas markets, Verona is worth visiting! So, don’t miss your chance to get into the holiday spirit in one of the most beautiful cities in all of Italy. You just might see me there, too, nibbling on a slice of pandoro with a cup of Vin Brule in hand!
What questions do you have about the Verona Christmas market?
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