A nighttime stroll through Piazza Duomo and Galleria Vittorio Emanuele yielded these cheery shots.

In Piazza Duomo, workers toiled past sundown to get the lights up in time for Friday, December 7, which is Sant’Ambrogio, a local holiday.

In the middle of the 19th-century Galleria, a cascade of light from the central dome brightens the mood.

Here’s a “before” Christmas shot, taken in the middle of summer. Nice, but not as stunning.

In Milan, we love our Swarovski. Here’s a giant, crystal-encrusted tree.

And, on the other side of the Galleria, lies la Scala Theatre in Piazza della Scala, replete with blood red trees.

A bit garish, and spooky, this latter bit. What do you think?