Looking for ways to brighten the darkest month of the year? From ski slopes to fire festivals, marathons to markets, Italy has plenty to offer.

Shop like a Milanese: Milan celebrates its patron saint, Sant'Ambrogio, on December 7th. It celebrates with one of the oldest fairs in Italy, Oh Bej! Oh Bej! ("How beautiful!" in local dialect), which takes place this year from December 7-10th around the Castello Sforzesco. Expect festive foods and decorations but also bric-a-brac, books and local crafts.