Oh Bej! Oh Bej! Fair
The historic fair of Sant'Ambrogio around the Sforza Castle
About Oh Bej! Oh Bej!
Milan's Oldest Fair
The Oh Bej! Oh Bej! Fair is the most traditional and popular event of the week of Sant'Ambrogio, Milan's patron saint. Its origins date back to the 13th century, and for over five centuries, on the days around December 7th, the city gathers around the Sforza Castle and Parco Sempione, in Piazza Castello (Municipality 1), amidst sweets, surprises, and objects of all kinds.
The Origin of the Name
The curious name Oh Bej! Oh Bej! — meaning "Oh beautiful! Oh beautiful!" in Milanese dialect — is said to be the joyful exclamation of children upon receiving gifts and sweets at the fair. The tradition is deeply linked to the figure of Sant'Ambrogio and has marked the start of the Christmas festivities in the city for centuries.
What to Find at the Stalls
The fair brings together hundreds of stalls offering crafts, sweets, toys, flowers, books, antiques, modern collectibles, and local products. It is the realm of winter street food — roasted chestnuts, sweets, mulled wine — and traditional Christmas shopping, away from standardized commercial circuits. Strolling among the stalls, against the backdrop of the illuminated Sforza Castle, is an experience that is part of every Milanese person's Christmas identity.
A Celebration for the Whole City
The fair is held concurrently with the Feast of Sant'Ambrogio and other events of the patron saint's week, from the mass in the basilica to the opening night of La Scala opera house. Admission is free, and the atmosphere is unmistakably that of the beginning of Milanese winter: an event that draws citizens and visitors from all over Lombardy and has marked the start of Christmas in Milan for centuries.
Oh Bej! Oh Bej! — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of the Oh Bej! Oh Bej! Fair is expected in the days leading up to Sant'Ambrogio's Day, on December 7th, approximately from December 4th to 8th, 2026, around the Sforza Castle and Parco Sempione.
As per tradition, hundreds of stalls will offer crafts, sweets, toys, flowers, books, antiques, and local products, in a Christmas atmosphere that kicks off the city's festivities. Definitive dates and times will be confirmed by the Municipality of Milan closer to the event.
Programme Oh Bej! Oh Bej! 2026
What to Expect at the Stalls
- Crafts and artisan trades
- Sweets and winter street food (roasted chestnuts, pastries, mulled wine)
- Toys and children's items
- Flowers and arrangements
- Books, antiques, and collectibles
- Local products
The fair takes place concurrently with the feast of the patron saint, Sant'Ambrogio. Definitive dates and times for the 2026 edition will be announced by the Municipality of Milan closer to December 7th.
Highlights Oh Bej! Oh Bej! 2026
The hundreds of stalls around the illuminated Sforza Castle, the winter street food, and the atmosphere that has marked the start of Milanese Christmas for centuries.
Prices Oh Bej! Oh Bej! 2026
Practical information — Oh Bej! Oh Bej!
How to Get There
The fair is held around the Sforza Castle and Parco Sempione, in Piazza Castello (Municipality 1). It can be reached by metro red line M1 (Cairoli stop) and green line M2 (Lanza or Cadorna stop), as well as by numerous surface transport lines.
Admission
Free admission.
Period
In the days surrounding the feast of Sant'Ambrogio (December 7th), approximately from December 4th to 8th, 2026.
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Where does it take place — Oh Bej! Oh Bej!
Castello Sforzesco e Parco Sempione
Piazza Castello, 20121 Milano