Six Christmas markets to discover in Italy

If you’re already thinking about your next trip, maybe wondering where to go on holiday in November (also for the All Saints long weekend) or you want to book your December holidays in advance, the Christmas markets are among the attractions to consider.

Usually, Christmas markets are held from mid-November and last for the entire Christmas holiday period, up until the Epiphany. In addition to the stalls selling handicrafts, there are always those selling local delicacies, but that’s not all: Christmas markets are often an opportunity to organise shows and concerts.

Here are a few ideas from all over Italy to help you enjoy a special day or weekend.

In Trentino Alto Adige, the home of Christmas markets

In Italy, Christmas markets are synonymous with Trentino Alto Adige (South Tyrol). It is in this northern region that the tradition of Christmas markets, which originated in Alsace and Germany, has taken root most successfully and then spread throughout the country.

In this region there are markets everywhere: from the largest and most famous locations, such as:

• Bolzano;
• Trento;
• Levico Terme (where you can also visit the centuries-old Habsburg park);
• Rovereto;
• Merano;
• Bressanone;
• Brunico;
• Vipiteno.

And then there are other smaller towns such as:

• Ortisei;
• Rango;
• Ala;
• Siror;
• Renon.

The Christmas markets of the Aosta Valley

Staying in the mountains, but moving to a different region, in the Aosta Valley a good combination of Christmas markets and trips out of town is available in Aosta itself, the charming city of Roman origins that during the festive season transforms some of the places in the centre into alpine villages with its Marché Vert Noël, as well as offering guided tours of the city.

The markets in the castles are also particularly charming, such as the one in Fénis (which adds jugglers and falconers to the stalls) and the one in Bard with the delicious micòoula, the ‘slightly smaller and slightly special bread’, a delicious Valdostan ancestor of panettone, made with chestnuts, walnuts, dried figs, raisins and chocolate chips.

In Arezzo, two special ideas for children

The historic centre of Arezzo is transformed into a Tyrolean village and hosts a large Christmas market where you can shop and try local delicacies and products. Still in the city, children can discover Santa’s House through an enchanted journey with entertainment, workshops, large installations and light shows.

Candelara

This unusual market in the Marche region is dedicated to candles and has a truly unique atmosphere: in the ancient mediaeval village in the province of Pesaro, when the sun goes down, artificial lights are not switched on, but candles are lit instead.

Here, among the many candlelit events, there is also an enchanting market dedicated mainly to candles, starting in November.

The living nativity scene and the market in Matera

If you’re already thinking about the magic of Christmas, in Matera you can admire the living nativity scene among the city’s ‘sassi’ (stone houses) and visit the Matera Christmas Village with its Christmas markets dedicated to typical and traditional products and Christmas crafts.

The city also offers numerous musical events and shows and entertainment for children.

‘Cadeaux al Castello’ in Limatola

Another place to discover for Christmas markets, starting in November, is the thousand-year-old castle of Limatola, in the province of Benevento: jesters, jugglers, stilt walkers and many others liven up the evenings together with Santa Claus, of course, who waits for the little ones in his cabin.

Article translated by Jasmina Towers

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