Milan's Unique Advent Calendar

Advent marks the beginning of the Christmas season for Christian churches. In Latin, the word advent means arrival or coming and refers to the anticipation of Christ's birth. Germans began lighting candles each night in anticipation of Advent, and the tradition translated into various forms, including calendars to mark the days leading up to Christmas. (source)

the Duomo and the city's tree

Milan has a unique way of celebrating this holiday season by creating a musical Advent calendar in Piazza Duomo.

Beginning December 1, each night at 6 pm, a musician stands at the window of municipal offices. Every night an additional musician stands at a window. They play Christmas music for 30 minutes for the crowds in Piazza Duomo to enjoy.

I went on December 12th, so there were 12 musicians to enjoy.

The windows are numbered from 1-24, for each day in December leading up to Christmas.

Greetings hang in many languages.

Here's a little taste of what you can go and experience.