Month guide · Milan · Italy
Milan in December
What December is really like in Milan: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Paolobon140, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
December is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 6°C (43°F), lows of 0°C (32°F), about 7 rainy days and roughly 8.7 hours of daylight. Cold and festive, with the Duomo Christmas tree, panettone everywhere and La Scala's opening night.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 6°C (43°F) / 0°C (32°F)
- Rainy days
- About 7
- Daylight
- About 8.7 hours
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in December
December is the coolest month in Milan: days average 6°C (43°F) against a yearly average high of 18°C (64°F), and nights fall to about 0°C (32°F). Rain falls on roughly 7 of its 31 days. Compared with November (11°C (52°F)), December is cooler; by January highs stay near 6°C (43°F).
- Sunrise (15 December)
- About 07:57
- Sunset (15 December)
- About 16:41
- Daylight
- About 8.7 hours
Winter (December–February). Cold and often foggy, with Christmas markets, opera season, the January sales and quick access to Alpine ski resorts.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, December rates 4 for crowds (the peak is April at 5) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in April). Book accommodation early: December is one of the pricier months.
Events in December
- La Scala season opening and the Oh Bej! Oh Bej! market (7 December, Sant'Ambrogio)
- Christmas market around Piazza del Duomo (usually December)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in December
With cold days, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Architecture · Porta Venezia
Villa Necchi Campiglio
A 1930s villa designed by Piero Portaluppi for a wealthy industrial family, with original furnishings, art collections, a garden and one of the first private swimming pools in Milan.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Architecture
- Couples
- Off the beaten path
- History
Religious site · Centro Storico
San Bernardino alle Ossa
It is small and quick to visit; combine it with a walk to the Università Statale's Renaissance courtyards nearby.
- Time needed
- 20 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Off the beaten path
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Architecture · Centro Storico
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
Opened in the 1870s, this cross-shaped shopping arcade with a glass-and-iron dome links Piazza del Duomo with Piazza della Scala.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Architecture
- Shopping
- Rainy day
Architecture · Centro Storico
Teatro alla Scala
For a performance on a budget, look for gallery seats or same-day tickets sold at the box office.
- Time needed
- 1 hour for the museum
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- After dark
- Couples
- Rainy day
What to pack
For highs near 6°C, lows near 0°C and 7 wet days: a warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; shoes with good grip for icy pavements; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is December a good time to visit Milan?
A shoulder-season month, with 2 notable events on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, April–June and September–October are better overall. Compare every month.
Milan in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is December a good time to visit Milan?
It is a shoulder-season month. Cold and festive, with the Duomo Christmas tree, panettone everywhere and La Scala's opening night.
+How warm is Milan in December?
Average highs are around 6°C (43°F) and lows around 0°C (32°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Milan in December?
Expect rain on about 7 days of the month.