Updated 6 November 2026

In brief

• As of 6 November 2026 the official programme for Christmas 2026 in Como (the market in piazza Perretta, the tree in piazza Duomo, the light projections, the ice rink) has not been published yet. The dates of 22 and 29 November that you see without a year on cittadeibalocchi.it are from the 2025 edition.

• Already official: the Comune di Como (the city council) has published the calls for Christmas markets in piazza San Fedele and for craft and hobby fairs in piazza Verdi, via Pretorio and via Maestri Comacini, for December 2026 / January 2027.

• On the lake, the Colico Christmas market is confirmed, in piazza Garibaldi, from 21 November 2026 to 10 January 2027 (only on set days, 10:00–19:00).

• From Milan you can get there by train: Trenord gives about 40 minutes with no changes from Milano Centrale to Como S. Giovanni, and about 60 minutes from Milano Cadorna to Como Lago.

• Before you go, check nataleacomo.it (city council) and cittadeibalocchi.it (Consorzio Como Turistica).

Città dei Balocchi, Como che incanto, Natale a Como: what the names mean

When you search for Christmas markets in Como you find three different names. It helps to sort them out.

• Città dei Balocchi (“City of Toys”) is the historic name of Christmas in Como, promoted by the Consorzio Como Turistica. The official site, cittadeibalocchi.it, speaks of “over 30 years of lights and history”.

• Como che incanto is the name of the city council’s Christmas programme. On the Città dei Balocchi site the events are presented under this heading, “Como che Incanto – Natale a Como”.

• nataleacomo.it is the city council’s website for Christmas events: dates, markets, the ice rink and directions are published there.

In practice, to know what is happening in town in December, the two references are the council’s website and the Città dei Balocchi site.

What is confirmed for Christmas 2026 (as of 6 November)

The main programme is not out yet

We checked the official channels on 6 November 2026. This is the situation:

• nataleacomo.it (Comune di Como) still shows the 2025 edition, with the period “from 22 November 2025 to 6 January 2026”.

• cittadeibalocchi.it shows an announcement without a year: market in piazza Perretta “from 22 November”, projections from 29 November, tree in piazza Duomo, open until 6 January. These are the same dates and hours as the 2025 edition reported by the council, so do not take them as 2026 dates.

• For the Magic Light Festival (the projections on historic buildings that the Consorzio has run in past years) we found no confirmation for 2026.

Some local newspapers have already printed dates for 2026. Until the council or the Consorzio publish them, treat them as rumours and check the official site before you go.

What is already official

On 26 October 2026 the Comune di Como published two public notices for December 2026 / January 2027:

Stallholders had to apply by 23:59 on 5 November 2026. So these markets are planned, but the exact days have not been published yet.

How the 2025–26 edition worked (to help you plan)

To give you an idea of what to expect, this is how Christmas in Como was organised last year, according to the council’s website. This is not information about 2026: places and hours may change.

In 2025 the piazza Perretta market was open from 9:30 to 20:30 Sunday to Thursday and until 21:30 on Friday and Saturday, with shorter hours at Christmas and New Year. We mention this only as a reference: check the 2026 hours when they come out.

If you want to combine the markets with a visit to the city, you will find a route in our guide What to see in Como.

Christmas markets on Lake Como in 2026

Colico: confirmed

The Comune di Colico (tourism site visitcolico.it) and the In-Lombardia portal (Regione Lombardia) confirm the Colico Christmas markets (Mercatini di Natale a Colico) in piazza Garibaldi, on the lakefront, organised by the Pro Loco di Colico, the local tourism association. Hours: 10:00 to 19:00 on opening days.

The market is open almost only at weekends and on public holidays: if you go on a weekday, check first that it is on the calendar.

Lecco and the other lake towns

For Lecco, Brienno, Tremezzina, Bellagio and Cernobbio, as of 6 November 2026 we found no 2026 Christmas programme published on the official council websites. The local press mentions them, but without an official source we prefer not to give you dates. If you are interested in one of these towns, check the council website or the In-Lombardia portal in the days before your visit.

To see Bellagio and Varenna beyond the markets, read our guides Bellagio: things to do and Varenna: things to do.

Getting to Como for the markets

By train from Milan

The train is the simplest option and saves you looking for parking. Trenord lists two main connections:

There is also the S11 suburban line Como – Milano Porta Garibaldi – Rho. Timetables, first and last trains change: check them on the Trenord website or app the day before, especially if you are coming back in the evening.

By car and parking

For the last edition the council listed park-and-ride car parks outside the centre (including Grandate-Lazzago, Tavernola in via Conciliazione, the Val Mulini multi-storey car park and Camerlata), with extra buses and a free shuttle at weekends. For 2026 these measures have not been announced yet: check the “Come arrivare” (getting here) section of nataleacomo.it once it is updated.

Getting around the lake

If you want to combine the city with a lake town, remember that ferry (“battello”) and bus timetables change during the year. Before you go, read our guide Come muoversi sul Lago di Como (in Italian) and check the current timetable on navigazionelaghi.it.

Practical tips

• Pick your moment. To avoid the crowds, aim for a weekday or the morning. If you want the lights and projections, arrive around sunset and stay in the centre into the evening.

• Check the date on the page. Some event websites still show dates from previous years. Only trust dates that include the year and are published by the council, the Consorzio or the organisers.

• Combine markets and city. Between squares you can visit the Duomo (the cathedral) or walk along the lakefront. For more ideas, read Cosa fare a Como e Cernobbio (in Italian).

• Book dinner. At weekends in December it is worth booking. A few addresses are in Dove mangiare a Como (in Italian).

• Dress in layers. Between the lakefront and the squares you will spend a lot of time outdoors.

Where to stay for Christmas in Como

If you want to enjoy the lights in the evening without thinking about the last train, staying in town is the easiest choice. Three Breva homes close to the centre:

• Gio’s Studio: studio flat with a terrace in the centre of Como, in via XX Settembre, for 2 guests.

• Dimora del Lago Crispi: apartment with a balcony and terrace in via Crispi, up to 4 guests, about 1 km from the old town.

• Casa Batèl: 6 bedrooms, each with its own bathroom, up to 12 guests, in Como (Tavernola). A good fit if you are travelling with a large family or friends.

You can book directly from each home’s page.

Frequently asked questions

When do the Christmas markets in Como open in 2026?

As of 6 November 2026, the opening date of the main market has not been published by the council or by the Consorzio Como Turistica. The dates of 22 and 29 November published without a year on cittadeibalocchi.it are those of 2025. Already planned, according to a council notice: Christmas markets in piazza San Fedele and craft fairs in piazza Verdi, via Pretorio and via Maestri Comacini between December 2026 and January 2027.

Is the Città dei Balocchi still going?

The official site cittadeibalocchi.it is active and presents Christmas in Como together with the council’s programme. The programme with the year 2026 is not online yet: check the official site before you go.

Is there an ice rink in Como in 2026?

In the 2025–26 edition there was a rink in piazza Cavour. For 2026 we have not yet found an official confirmation: check the “Pattinaggio” (skating) section of nataleacomo.it.

How do I get to Como from Milan without a car?

By train. Trenord gives about 40 minutes from Milano Centrale to Como S. Giovanni, with no changes, and about 60 minutes from Milano Cadorna to Como Lago. Check the times for your day on the Trenord app or website.

Are there other Christmas markets on Lake Como?

Yes. The one already confirmed is in Colico, in piazza Garibaldi, from 21 November 2026 to 10 January 2027, on the days in the calendar, from 10:00 to 19:00. For the other towns, check the council websites.

Sources

• Città dei Balocchi, official site (Consorzio Como Turistica): https://www.cittadeibalocchi.it/ and https://www.cittadeibalocchi.it/cdb-story/

• Comune di Como, Natale a Como website: https://www.nataleacomo.it/natale-a-como/index.html

• Comune di Como, Markets 2025–26: https://www.nataleacomo.it/mercatini/index.html

• Comune di Como, Ice rink 2025–26: https://www.nataleacomo.it/pattinaggio/index.html

• Comune di Como, Getting here 2025–26: https://www.nataleacomo.it/come-arrivare/index.html

• Comune di Como, public notices for Christmas craft fairs and occasional markets, December 2026 / January 2027: https://www.comune.como.it/novita/avvisi/Avvisi-pubblici-per-la-realizzazione-di-rassegne-hobbistiche-e-mercati-occasionali-a-carattere-natalizio-nel-periodo-dicembre-2026-gennaio-2027/

• Trenord, Milano Centrale – Como S. Giovanni: https://www.trenord.it/linee-e-orari/tratte/milano-centrale-como-s-giovanni/

• Trenord, Como Lago – Milano Cadorna: https://www.trenord.it/linee-e-orari/tratte/como-lago-milano-cadorna/

• Trenord, S11 line: https://www.trenord.it/en/routes-and-timetables/journey/our-lines/como-milano-rho-s11-line/

• Comune di Colico, Mercatini di Natale a Colico: https://visitcolico.it/eventi/mercatini-di-natale-a-colico-2/

• In-Lombardia (Regione Lombardia), Mercatini di Natale Colico: https://www.in-lombardia.it/en/event/mercatini-di-natale-38

• Comune di Lecco, events: https://www.comune.lecco.it/Vivere-il-comune/Eventi

• Navigazione Laghi: https://www.navigazionelaghi.it/it/

Christmas on Lake Como is also good taken slowly, staying a few days. If you are looking for a base in the city or on the lake, you will find all Breva homes on the page Our homes.

If you own a home on Lake Como and are thinking of letting it, see our guide for owners and our short-term rental management in Como.

This guide is also available in Italian: Leggi in italiano.