Christmas in Como 2025 finally has a clearly defined shape. After weeks of rumours and anticipation – which we already mentioned in our first teaser article about Como, the Città dei Balocchi – the official announcements have arrived: dates, locations, special events and, above all, a truly spectacular scenic performance for the lighting of the big Christmas tree in Piazza Duomo.
If in the first article we brought you into the hype of all the rumours and whispers, here you’ll find the full picture: from the debut of the lights and Christmas markets to the show “Como… Nell’INCANTO!”, created to turn the tree-lighting ceremony into a moment of pure wonder.
From teaser to Incanto: Como lights up Christmas 2025
As every year, Christmas in Como is not just a row of wooden chalets and a few fairy lights along the lakefront. It’s a project that brings together art, scenography, music, tourism and local city life, involving the old town, the lake and the main squares.
In our previous article, which you can find HERE, we shared the first confirmed dates and the return of Christmas magic to the city. Now the news has become concrete: Christmas in Como 2025 will take place between late November and Epiphany, with a calendar of events built around three key elements: lights, markets and shows. And at the heart of it all, the event that will quite literally make everyone look up to the sky: the lighting of the Christmas tree in Piazza Duomo.
“Como… Nell’INCANTO!”: the performance for the Christmas tree lighting in Piazza Duomo
The most eagerly awaited moment of this Christmas in Como already has a name: “Como… Nell’INCANTO!”. It’s not just a simple countdown and a switch flipped at the right moment, but a site-specific performance conceived and choreographed by the Teatro Sociale di Como.
The event is scheduled for Saturday 29 November 2025 at 6:00 p.m., in Piazza Duomo. The Christmas tree won’t simply light up: it will become the star of a moving scenography, where acrobatic dance, music, light effects and surprise moments will create a true “choral dance that defies gravity”.
The square will be transformed into a large open-air stage. For this reason, access will be regulated: entry will only be allowed from the gates in via Vittorio Emanuele and via Cinque Giornate, while the entrances from via Caio Plinio, piazza Grimoldi and via Ballarini will remain closed. This detail, too, shows how the event has been designed as a real show, with direction that carefully balances safety, visibility and scenic impact.
Christmas in Como 2025: dates, lights and atmosphere in the city
Around this key moment, Como gradually lights up and dresses itself for Christmas. The Christmas in Como 2025 programme covers roughly the period from late November until 6 January 2026, with a succession of days in which the historic centre completely changes its look.
The façades of the buildings become part of a large Magic Light Festival, with projections, colours and patterns enveloping the Broletto, the Cathedral and the surrounding streets. Walking around at sunset means finding yourself immersed in a truly theatrical city, where every corner is designed to be photographed, shared and remembered.
Along the route that leads from the centre down to the lake, the Christmas lights guide your steps through squares, courtyards and lakefront viewpoints, while shop windows tune into the festive spirit with decorations, special offers and extended opening hours. It’s a Christmas that blends tourism, local life and culture, with the city centre turning into a widespread open-air stage.
Christmas markets in Como 2025, ice rink and carousel: where the magic comes to life every day
The beating heart of Christmas in Como, together with Piazza Duomo, is the area stretching from Piazza Cavour to nearby Largo Miglio. In these spaces, overlooking the lake or just a few steps from the water, you’ll find some of the most beloved attractions for families, children and groups of friends.
In Piazza Cavour, the ice skating rink is set up: during the day it’s the perfect backdrop for those who want to soak up the atmosphere in a relaxed way, while in the evening it turns into a bright stage, with the lights reflecting on the ice and on the lake. A short distance away, in Largo Miglio, the horse carousel returns, a clear reference to a more traditional Christmas, made of merry-go-round rides and children’s laughter.
The final piece of the puzzle is the Christmas market, set up in squares such as piazza Perretta and in the nearby streets. Wooden chalets, the scent of mulled wine, handicrafts, decorations, gift ideas: a common thread that links buying those last presents with the pleasure of an evening out in the city centre.
Piazza Duomo after 29 November: the “Calend’arie dell’Avvento”
The lighting of the tree with the “Como… Nell’INCANTO!” performance is not a one-off event. Piazza Duomo continues to be one of the beating hearts of the programme, thanks to an idea that in recent years has won over both locals and visitors: the “Calend’arie dell’Avvento”, curated by the Teatro Sociale di Como.
From 1 to 24 December, every day at around 6:00 p.m., the façade of the Cathedral and the square become the backdrop for short performances that mark the countdown to Christmas. Small concerts, musical interludes, choreographic gestures, theatrical moments: as if each day were opening a new window of a “live” Advent calendar.
It’s a delicate and poetic way to turn the countdown to 24 December into a daily ritual, inviting people to come back to the city again and again, each time enjoying a different corner of the historic centre and the lakefront.
Como, Città dei Balocchi 2025: a Christmas weekend on Lake Como
Christmas in Como is not limited to the city centre. The festive lights and atmosphere spread all along the lake, with many towns and villages organising their own small programme of events: lakeside Christmas markets, nativity scenes, activities for children and concerts in local churches.
It can be the perfect opportunity to organise a truly themed weekend: one day dedicated to the heart of the city, with the Cathedral, the ice rink and the Christmas markets; another reserved for a trip to the nearby towns, to discover the lake in its winter version, less crowded than in summer but just as charming.
In this sense, Como at Christmas is not just a glowing “postcard”, but a base from which to explore an entire area made up of viewpoints, scenic overlooks, small harbours, funiculars and walking trails.
Where to stay to enjoy Christmas in Como without stress
Between lights, events, markets and shows, the real challenge is just one: enjoying all of this without parking stress or the rush to catch the last train. That’s why many visitors choose to stay at least one night, turning the tree-lighting or a day on the ice into a truly relaxing weekend break.
A practical solution is to choose a peaceful base, well connected to the centre of Como but away from the busiest Christmas crowds. That’s the case with La Maison de Geraldine, our holiday home in Cadorago, convenient both for those travelling by car (with parking and easy access to the main routes) and for those who prefer the train, thanks to the line connecting the area with Como and Milan.
From morning to night you can enjoy the markets, lights, ice rink and shows in the city, then return to a more intimate and relaxing environment, where you can end the day with a hot herbal tea, a refreshing shower and the pleasure of having a space that’s entirely your own.
Want to plan a Christmas weekend in Como 2025?
Take a look at the availability and special offers at La Maison de Geraldine → direct link to the booking website.
How to get to Como: trains, car and recommended parking
Come arrivare a Como per Natale: treno, auto e parcheggi consigliati
Getting to Como at Christmas is fairly easy, but on some days – especially on the Città dei Balocchi weekends – traffic can be quite heavy. It’s worth planning in advance how to get there and where to leave your car, so you can enjoy the Christmas lights, markets and tree-lighting without stress.
If you’re travelling by Trenord trains, the most convenient stations for visiting the old town and Piazza Duomo are Como Lago (the final stop of the line from Milano Cadorna) and Como San Giovanni (connected with Milano Centrale, Milano Porta Garibaldi and Switzerland). From both stations you can reach the area around Piazza Duomo, Piazza Cavour and piazza Perretta with just a few minutes’ walk.
Those who choose to stay outside the city can also use the intermediate stations along the line, such as Cadorago, served by the Trenord route to Como and Milan: a useful solution for anyone who wants to visit Christmas in Como during the day and return in the evening to a quieter area.
If you’re arriving by car, the best option is to leave it in the outer car parks and walk or use public transport to reach the centre, especially on peak days. Among the car parks often used for Christmas in Como are the Valmulini car park, the courthouse car park and the car parks in the Castelnuovo area or along viale Varese; from there, a short walk will take you easily to the heart of the Città dei Balocchi.
In general, for the Christmas tree lighting in Piazza Duomo and for December weekends, it’s a good idea to arrive a little early, so you can find a spot and take your time to fully soak up the atmosphere of the lights and Christmas markets.
FAQ Christmas in Como 2025 (Città dei Balocchi)
When does Christmas in Como 2025 start?
Christmas in Como 2025 kicks off on 29 November, with the Christmas lights switched on, the opening of the Christmas markets in piazza Perretta and the start of the ice rink in Piazza Cavour.
When is the Christmas tree in Piazza Duomo lit?
The lighting of the large Christmas tree in Piazza Duomo is scheduled for Saturday 29 November 2025 at 6:00 p.m., with the scenic performance “Como… Nell’INCANTO!” created by the Teatro Sociale di Como.
Where are the Christmas markets in Como 2025 located?
The Christmas markets in Como 2025 are mainly located in piazza Perretta and in the streets around the historic centre, with wooden chalets, local products, handicrafts and street food.
Where can I see the Christmas lights and projections?
The Christmas light projections and illuminations are mainly focused on the area around the Cathedral, the Broletto and the central squares (piazza Volta and piazza S. Fedele), as well as the lakefront area towards Piazza Cavour, the heart of the Città dei Balocchi.
Where can I park for Christmas in Como?
During the busiest periods, it’s best to leave your car in the outer car parks such as Valmulini, Porta Torre or Castelnuovo and walk to the centre. This way you avoid traffic in the most central streets and can enjoy a stroll among the Christmas lights.
Is it better to come to Como by train or by car for Christmas 2025?
If possible, the train is the most convenient option, as it drops you just a few minutes’ walk from the old town and Piazza Duomo. Travelling by car can be useful if you combine your visit to Christmas in Como with a weekend on the lake, but in that case it’s important to choose your parking carefully and set off in good time.