Things to Do in Turin in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
December Weather in Turin
Is December Right for You?
Advantages
- Christmas markets transform the city from late November through January 6th - Piazza Castello and Borgo Dora markets offer local crafts, mulled wine (vin brulé), and roasted chestnuts without the crushing crowds you'd find in German markets. Stalls typically open 10am-9pm daily.
- Museum season hits its stride with zero queues at Egyptian Museum and Palazzo Reale. You'll walk straight into rooms that see 45-minute waits in summer. Indoor cultural attractions become genuinely enjoyable when temperatures drop to -1°C to 8°C (30°F to 46°F).
- Truffle season peaks in December - white truffles from Alba (45 km/28 miles south) flood Turin's restaurants and the Mercato Centrale. Prices drop 30-40% compared to November as the season winds down. A truffle-topped tajarin pasta runs €25-35 instead of €40-50.
- Alpine access opens up properly - ski resorts in Sestriere and Bardonecchia (90 km/56 miles west) typically have solid snow coverage by mid-December. Day trip costs run €40-60 for lift tickets, and you're back in Turin for aperitivo by 7pm.
Considerations
- The cold feels colder than the numbers suggest - that 70% humidity combined with wind tunneling down Via Roma makes 2°C (36°F) feel closer to -3°C (27°F). Locals call it 'umido' and it seeps through lighter jackets. You'll need proper layering, not just a sweater.
- Daylight disappears fast - sunrise around 8am, sunset by 5pm. If you're planning outdoor sightseeing at Reggia di Venaria or Basilica di Superga, you've got a narrow window. Most tourists underestimate how the early darkness compresses their day.
- December 8th (Immaculate Conception) and the Christmas week create accommodation price spikes of 40-60% and book out family-run hotels entirely. If your dates overlap these periods, you're looking at €120-180 for mid-range rooms that normally cost €70-90.
Best Activities in December
Christmas Market Circuit Walking
December is the only month these markets operate, and Turin's version stays manageable compared to overcrowded northern European alternatives. The cold actually enhances the experience - vin brulé (mulled wine) at €3-5 per cup makes sense when your hands are freezing. Piazza Castello's main market runs 60+ stalls, while Borgo Dora focuses on vintage and antiques. Late afternoon visits (4-6pm) catch the lights coming on without peak dinner crowds. The variable weather means some days hit 8°C (46°F) and feel pleasant, others drop to freezing.
Egyptian Museum Extended Visits
The world's second-largest Egyptian collection becomes actually enjoyable in December when summer tour groups vanish. You can spend 3-4 hours examining the Tomb of Kha without anyone breathing down your neck. The museum keeps comfortable heating around 20°C (68°F), making it perfect for those damp 1°C (34°F) days. Morning visits (9-11am) see the lightest traffic. The December low season means you'll catch details you'd rush past in July - the painted sarcophagi and papyrus texts deserve slow viewing.
Alba White Truffle Day Trips
December catches the tail end of white truffle season (October-December), and prices drop significantly as supply peaks before the season closes. You're looking at €120-180 per person for guided market visits and multi-course truffle lunches, compared to €200-250 in November. The 45 km (28 mile) drive south takes you through Langhe wine country, though December fog can be thick - that's actually when locals prefer it for the atmospheric quality. Tours typically run 9am-4pm and include market browsing, a truffle hunt demonstration, and lunch with wines.
Baroque Palace Indoor Tours
Palazzo Reale, Palazzo Madama, and Reggia di Venaria become December highlights when outdoor sightseeing loses appeal. These heated baroque spaces showcase Savoy dynasty opulence without summer's stifling crowds. Reggia di Venaria (10 km/6 miles north) particularly shines - the palace gardens look stark but the interior galleries stretch for 2 km (1.2 miles) of frescoed rooms. December means you'll photograph the Hall of Diana without 40 people in your frame. The Venaria complex needs 3-4 hours; downtown palaces take 90 minutes each.
Alpine Ski Day Trips
Mid to late December typically brings reliable snow coverage to resorts 80-100 km (50-62 miles) west in Sestriere, Bardonecchia, and Via Lattea. You can day-trip from Turin - buses leave Porta Susa station 7-8am, return by 6-7pm. Lift tickets run €40-60 for day passes, equipment rental €25-35. The skiing isn't world-class but it's accessible and affordable. December weekdays see minimal crowds compared to January school holidays. Weather variability means checking snow reports 2-3 days before is essential - some years have perfect coverage by December 10th, others need until December 20th.
Historic Cafe Aperitivo Circuit
December evenings (4:30-7pm) are when Turin's historic cafes make the most sense - the early darkness and cold make their velvet interiors and hot drinks genuinely appealing rather than tourist obligations. Caffe San Carlo, Mulassano, and Baratti & Milano date from the 1800s and invented the modern aperitivo tradition. The December ritual involves a bicerin (coffee-chocolate-cream drink invented here) or vermouth-based cocktails with elaborate buffets. Expect €8-12 per drink with food included. The warmth, the gilded mirrors, the locals in wool coats - it actually works in December where it feels performative in summer.
December Events & Festivals
Luci d'Artista Light Installations
Contemporary art light installations transform 20+ locations across Turin from late October through mid-January. December sees them at their best - the early darkness (5pm sunset) means you experience them during normal evening hours rather than waiting until 10pm. Works by international artists light up Piazza Castello, Via Po, and Piazza CLN. Completely free, completely walkable, and locals actually enjoy them rather than avoiding tourist attractions. The installations stay up through January 6th but December has the Christmas market overlap.
Feast of the Immaculate Conception
December 8th is a major Italian holiday when Turin essentially shuts down except for churches and markets. The tradition involves visiting nativity scenes (presepi) set up in churches across the historic center - Santa Maria del Monte has an elaborate 18th-century version. Families flood the Christmas markets this day, so expect peak crowds. If you're in Turin this date, lean into the local rhythm: late breakfast, church visits, market browsing, long family lunch.
New Year's Eve in Piazza Vittorio
December 31st brings a massive public celebration to Piazza Vittorio Veneto (one of Europe's largest squares) with live music, DJ sets, and midnight fireworks over the Po River. Free to attend, draws 15,000-20,000 people, runs 10pm-2am. The atmosphere leans young and energetic. Restaurants require reservations weeks ahead for New Year's Eve dinners (€60-120 per person for fixed menus). Many locals actually skip the piazza chaos for private dinners and house parties.