Oh Bej! Oh Bej! Christmas Market in Milan 2024

On December 7th and the surrounding days, Milan hosts the St. Ambrose Christmas Fair, known as "Oh Bej! Oh Bej!" (meaning "So Nice! So Nice!"). This highly anticipated event celebrates the city's patron saint, drawing both locals and visitors. Attendees can shop for unique gifts and immerse themselves in the festive atmosphere, making it a significant weekend leading up to Christmas.

Location

The "Oh Bej! Oh Bej!" Christmas Market in Milan is held around the Sforzesco Castle, featuring stalls along Piazza Castello, via Gadio, and Piazza del Cannone. This festive event is one of the best times to experience Milan's holiday spirit, offering a charming atmosphere filled with gifts and treats.

Food & Shopping

The fair offers a vast selection of products for all budgets, featuring a variety of stallholders, including bric-a-brac sellers, florists, artisans, and tradesmen. Visitors can find crafted toys, local honey, roasted chestnuts, and traditional strings of smoked chestnuts called "Firunatt." The event is also an excellent opportunity to taste classic Milanese treats such as Panettone and Torrone, alongside mulled wine and other hot beverages. While exploring, guests can enjoy traditional Christmas delicacies and cookies and browse stalls selling unique handmade crafts, jewelry, antiques, and more festive items.

Events

In addition to the stalls, the fair features live performances of traditional music and dance, as well as processions honoring Saint Ambrose. The vibrant event embodies the spirit of Milan, offering a lively atmosphere filled with delicious food and warm drinks. Attendees can also participate in a special church service at the historic Basilica di Sant'Ambrogio, making it a festive time to enjoy Milan's cultural heritage and community spirit.

Origins of Oh Bej! Oh Bej! Christmas Market

The "Oh Bej! Oh Bej!" Christmas market has celebrated the festive season in Milan for five centuries, offering a variety of candies, gifts, and surprises. The name translates to "Oh beautiful, Oh beautiful" in the Milanese dialect, reflecting the joy of children seeing the market's enticing displays. This tradition may be traced back to 1510 when Milanese children rejoiced upon receiving gifts brought by Pope Pius IV’s envoy. The market's roots extend to the late 13th century, making it a cherished historical event in the city.

Christmas Markets in Milano

As mentioned before, Oh Bej! Oh Bej! The fair is a part of the St. Ambrose feast celebrated on December 7th, but the fair usually runs for a few more days before and/or after the feast. Besides, you might want to explore some other Christmas markets in Milan that usually run from early December to early January.