Given the minimal crowds, visiting Turin in winter might be cold but it’s a relaxing experience. The snow-capped Alps serve as a backdrop to the city’s Baroque architecture and Turin Christmas Market.
In this post, I’ll explain what to expect at the market, including dates and opening times, so you can plan your visit.
Turin Christmas Market 2024
Dates – Unconfirmed
Turin Christmas Market dates: 6th December 2024 to 8th January 2025 (unconfirmed).
Note: Last year’s event did not take place. We will see what happens this year.
Expected Update: Want to know when dates are confirmed? Sign up for our newsletter to get notified as soon as they become available.
Source: Dates are obtained directly from the event organiser’s website, available here.
Plan Your Visit
Location and Times
Location: Piazza Castello.
Opening times:
Monday to Thursday: 10:30am to 8:30pm.
Friday: 10:30am to 9:00pm.
Saturday, Sunday, holidays and pre-holidays: 10:30am to 11:00pm.
Christmas Day: Possibly closed.
Travel and Accommodation
Recommended tour: This popular walking tour is great for first-time visitors to Torino.
Public transport: Tram stop: Castello.
Parking: Please take public transport to help limit congestion.
Where to stay: Principi di Piemonte is a highly-rated hotel, 10 minutes from the square.
Amenities and Attractions
Admission: Free, no tickets required.
Light show: Luci d’Artista: 25th October 2024 to 12th January 2025 (unconfirmed).
Santa: No.
Ice skating: Yes, at Piazza Solferino.
Reason to visit: The beautiful lights and 150 chalets.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian: Yes, plenty of options.
Vegan: Yes, but limited.
Gluten-free: Limited. Ask individual vendors, but beware of cross-contamination.
Specialities: Bicerin, agnolotti di plin, panforte, cioccolata calda and bagna cauda.
Accessibility
Accessible: Yes.
Pet-friendly: Yes, dogs are allowed on a lead.
Convenient Hotels
Turin is quite a spread-out city, but it has an excellent Metro system. This makes getting around easy, but it’s always nice to stay in the historic centre.
For a convenient stay, choose the highly-rated Principi di Piemonte, which is centrally located near Piazza Castello.
Recommended Tours
If you’re new to the city or would just like a refresher, I recommend this city walking tour of Turin.
You’ll see many of the city’s highlights, such as the Royal Palace, Mole Antonelliana, and the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist.
Turin might not be known for its food, but there is plenty to discover. This is the most popular food tour and it gets a 5/5 rating.
Discover other places to visit this winter with my Italian Christmas Markets List.
Event Location
List of Other Markets
Piazza Solferino
This market features decorated wooden chalets adorned with fairy lights. It has a wide range of unique gifts, local crafts, and seasonal delicacies.
Adding to the experience is an ice-skating rink available for all ages.
Piazza Solferino dates: 6th December 2024 to 8th January 2025 (unconfirmed).
Location: Piazza Solferino.
Opening times:
Monday to Thursday: 10.30am to 9.30pm.
Friday: 10.30am to 8.30pm.
Saturday, Sunday, holidays and pre-holidays: 10.30am to midnight.
Wrapped up your Christmas visit? We’d love to hear about your experience. Share your story and tag photos with #UltimateChristmasMarkets on social media.
What to Expect
Head to Piazza Castello, where a beautifully adorned tree stands as the centrepiece surrounded by over 150 wooden chalets showcasing artisanal crafts, handmade ornaments, and unique gifts.
Be sure not to miss the light installations created by talented artists, illuminating the city’s streets and buildings with vibrant colours and designs as part of the city’s famous light show, Luci d’Artista.
Regional Specialties
- Panettone: A classic Italian Christmas cake, this sweet, fluffy bread is filled with dried fruits and candied citrus peel.
- Pandoro: Similar to Panettone, this star-shaped, golden cake is characterised by its soft, buttery texture and is typically dusted with powdered sugar to resemble a snow-covered peak.
- Cotechino e Lenticchie: A combination of slow-cooked pork sausage and tender lentils, believed to bring good fortune and prosperity in the new year.
- Agnolotti del Plin: A Piedmontese specialty, these small, meat-stuffed pasta parcels are often served with a simple butter and sage sauce or sometimes in a rich, tomato-based ragu.
At the Food Stalls
- Bicerin: Warm up with this traditional Turinese drink, a mix of espresso, hot chocolate, and whipped cream.
- Bombardino: Another classic winter drink of warm eggnog with brandy or rum, topped with whipped cream and a dusting of cinnamon.
- Tramezzini: Italian-style sandwiches made with soft white bread and filled with various combinations of meats, cheeses, and vegetables.
- Arancini: Indulge in these crispy, deep-fried rice balls stuffed with ingredients like mozzarella, ragu, and peas.
- Torrone: A famous Italian nougat.
- Frittelle: Little Italian doughnuts, often filled with sweet cream or chocolate and dusted with powdered sugar.
- Mulled wine: Known as vin brulè in Italy.
What to Buy
- Gianduiotti: Traditional Turinese chocolates with hazelnuts.
- Grissini: Iconic Italian breadsticks, which originated in Turin.
- Italian ceramics: Adorn your kitchen with hand-painted ceramics from local artisans featuring classic designs or scenes inspired by Turin.
- Barolo wine: Get a bottle of Barolo as a souvenir. This is a robust red wine produced in the nearby Langhe region.
- Murano glass: Look out for intricate glasswork by Venetian glassblowers from Murano.
- Leather goods: You can find high-quality Italian leather products, such as wallets, belts, or handbags.
- Italian coffee: Pick up a bag of locally roasted beans or a classic stovetop espresso maker.
- Ornaments: There are many kinds of handcrafted ornaments to adorn your tree. This is a great souvenir!
Travel Information
Turin’s tourist office website has all the information you need to plan your visit. It provides insights on attractions, events, and practical tips.
Sustainability Tips
- Stay eco-friendly: When booking your stay, choose eco-friendly hotels that use renewable energy.
- Discover the city on foot or by bike: Rent a [TO]Bike and cycle around, or join a walking tour to learn about the local history and culture.
- Sustainable diet options: Try locally sourced, and plant-based dishes from small eateries.
- Shop responsibly: Look out for sustainable gifts. Only buy what you really need and can use.
- Reduce food waste: When eating out, be conscious of your portion sizes and avoid over-ordering.
- Public transport: Use the extensive public transportation system, including trams, buses, and the metro to get around.
If you want to leave a Xmas review, comment below.
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Recommendations are independently chosen based on personal travel experiences and extensive research. While we make every effort to provide accurate information, the dates and details listed here should not be relied upon. Please consult the official website before booking your trip or planning a visit.
Martin
We were in Turin from the 23rd to 30th December 2023 – No markets at Piazza Castello.
Rik
We visited on 8th December 2023 and there is no Christmas market at Piazza Castello
Michele Masters
I agree. I was there as well and there was nothing. I was so disappointed. It would have been nice at Piazza Castello.
wendy ball
HI
I loved the article, but I am trying to find information about the stores you mentioned, Ecofficina and Tuttobene. Can you provide addresses or websites please?
Andrea Anastasakis
I’m sorry these are actually in a different city and I entered them here by mistake. I have corrected the article.