For the second year running Milan will have its own Christmas Theme Park — the Villaggio delle Meraviglie. It all takes place in the lovely surroundings of the Giardini Pubblici Montanelli, one of the nicest parks in the very centre of Milan.
From the 6th of December until the 6th of January a fairytale village inspired by everything Christmas will be put in place for the entertainment of children and adults together.
There will be Santa’s house where children can meet Santa Clause and hand him their Christmas letter. After Christmas his place will be taken over by Befana, an old witch-looking lady, who flies on a broomstick and brings sweets and presents to well-behaved children on the night of the 6th of January. Next to Santa’s house there will be a toy factory where children can draw their favourite character and then see an animation of it.
Under the Ice Palace (though not really made of ice) there will be entertainment for the very little ones, a circus school and face painting.
One of the biggest attractions for children will be a rollercoaster in the shape of Santa’s sleigh that will ride along on mountains of snow. For a quieter and more tranquil ride, one can choose the “Park Express” train that will take adults and children on a tour of the park where they will meet the fairytale characters that live in it.
The organisers have also set up a shopping area where vendors will showcase their products in nice little wooden huts, with all sorts of things for sale: little handcrafts, chocolates, cheese and wine and other regional products.
The village would not be complete without a proper ice skating rink where alongside the “free-skating” sessions (and lessons) many exhibitions and shows will take place.
It truly is a very festive and wintery activity! The park is open everyday until 8pm with the exception of the 31st of December when there will be a New Year’s Eve party inside the park.

-Michela