Italians call New Year's Eve La Festa di San Silvestro. On December 31, many families get together for a festive dinner. Traditional foods include lentils, which are supposed to bring luck, as well as Cotechino and Zampone pork sausages. After the meal people get to the streets to watch fireworks or head to dance parties.
New Year Concert at Piazza Duomo
Thousands gather at Milan's main square, Piazza Duomo, to attend a free New Year’s Eve concert. The largest end-of-year event in Milan features international and Italian artists of various genres, from classical music to DJ sets. In some years, the square, which is dominated by the Gothic cathedral Duomo di Milano, hosted a light show with a series of videos projected onto the magnificent architecture. The concert starts at 8 pm, with some big names making an appearance from 10 pm to midnight.
During the concert, many people are singing along and dancing right in the square. The culmination of the most anticipated event in the center of Milian is the pyrotechnic show at the end of the concert. Large crowds also gather on Piazza Castello near the medieval castle Castello Sforzesco, which holds its own celebration with fireworks and entertainment.
If you would rather get away from the crowds, the Navigli neighborhood of Milan is a great place to celebrate the New Year in a more intimate way. The area, which is famous for canals designed by Leonardo da Vinci, hosts many restaurants and bars, which offer special menus for New Year's Eve. Thanks to beautiful Christmas lights, Naviglio Grande canal is the most romantic place in Milan during the holidays, so it's quite popular. Make sure to make reservations in advance.
