Alpine Italy lights up for the Christmas season with some of the most interesting Christmas Markets on offer in Europe, combining Mediterranean flavours and German traditions, festive food and wine, gift ideas, decorations and local handicraft.
Trento
Here is a selection listed by region.
ALTO ADIGE (South Tyrol/ Süd Tirol)
www.suedtirol.info
Bolzano/Bozen: Alpine - Mediterranean Christmas
Savour the magic of Christmas in the traditional mercantile town of Bolzano, at the meeting point of north and south, where the cultures and traditions of central Europe and the Mediterranean. Bright lights, scents and sounds steeped in tradition pervade the medieval centre, with its romantic arcaded streets and picturesque lanes emanating their nostalgic atmosphere. Emotions are heightened by the backdrop of the Rosengarten Dolomites!
Venue Piazza Walther/Waltherplatz
Open from 27 Nov. 2015 to 6 Jan. 2016
Merano: Sensual Delights and Relaxation
Relish contemplative moments while rejuvenating body and soul. Discover traditional handicrafts at the Christmas market and savour local sweetmeats. A wealth of attractions for children! Enjoy a festival for the senses and leisure, enveloped in the magical pre-Christmas atmosphere of Merano.
Venue Passeggiata Lungo Passirio/Piazza della Rena/Piazza delle Terme Open from 27 Nov 2015 to 6 Jan 2016
Bressanone/Brixen: Art and history
The venerable Cathedral with its 800 year-old Gothic cloister lends a unique aura to the Christmas market, taking place in the Cathedral square. You will be fascinated by the bustle of activity and the myriad of colours, seasonal aromas and music, or by the crib exhibition in the Episcopal Palace (Hofburg) emanating tradition and history.
Venue Piazza Duomo/Domplatz (Cathedral Square)
Open from 27 Nov 2015 to 6 Jan 2016
VIPITENO/STERZING: LIVING TRADITIONS
The impressive "Zwölfer-Turm" tower built in 1486 watches over the Christmas market in this medieval mining town, itself at an altitude of almost 1,000 metres. It also features a special exhibition related to the history of mining in the nearby high mountains. The atmosphere is enhanced by the quaint town buildings with their characteristic bay windows.
Venue Piazza città/Stadtplatz (Town Square) Open from 27 Nov 2015 to 6 Jan 2016
Brunico/Bruneck: handicrafts and tradition
Discover traditional handicrafts and seductive delicacies ensconced between the four main gates of the medieval town walls. Should you wish to combine a visit to the Christmas market with winter sports, then the superb slopes in the Kron-Platz ski resort are just outside the town.
Venue Beside the Moat (Via Bastioni/Am Graben) and Town Hall Square (Nuovo Piazza Municipio/Neuer Rathausplatz)
Open from 27 Nov 2015 to 6 Jan 2016
TRENTINO
www.visittrentino.it
TRENTO
The Trento Christmas Market in Piazza Fiera is one of the most famous festive markets of the region. This year it will also spread to occupy Piazza Cesare Battisti with a greater number of stalls and mini-chalets offering a wide selection of Trentino's many excellent foods, wines and crafts.
Open:21 November 2015 - 6 January 2016 www.mercatinodinatale.tn.it
ROVERETO Neapolitan Christmas cribs on the one side, Christmas tree decorations from Salzburg on the other side, embedded in the culinary tradition of the Trentino. In this way the Rovereto Christmas Market unites different cultures and events in a harmonic way.
The long tradition of the Christmas cribs of Napoli, which has been passed on from generation to generation by the artisans of Via San Gregorio Armeno of Napoli, has also reached the city of Rovereto. Until January 6, in the framework of an arts exhibition, these Christmas cribs are exhibited. Another highlight is the huge Christmas tree, which is established and is decorated by visitors. The artisans of Salzburg, who come to Rovereto for its Christmas Market, also offer their Christmas decoration at the market, so that you can also decorate your Christmas tree at home.
Open: 21 November 2015 - 6 January 2016
www.visitrovereto.it
ARCO, Lake Garda
It is the time of lights, of colours and Christmas flavours, mulled wine and Christmas bakery. Forty market booths, spread all over the centre of Arco, offer Christmas tree decorations, ideas regarding Christmas presents, handicraft products and local delicacies. Various events taking place in the evenings complete the offer of the Arco Christmas Market.
A ride on the back of the camel Ali or a little pony will make children's eyes sparkle. Moreover there are crafting workshops, a parade with Santa Claus who walks across the roads together with his reindeer, as well as a ride with one of the colourful little trains driving through Arco. On the occasion of the Immaculate Conception on December 8, there is also a huge firework in the sky above Castello di Arco.
Open: 20 November 2015 - 3 January 2016
LEVICO TERME
The fairytale-like Habsburgs Park of Levico, every year hosts a large number of market booths. The Austrian tradition reflects former times, when the Habsburgs have chosen Levico as their summer domicile. Especially when it snows or if the landscape is snow-covered, this park changes into a fairytale-like area: some 30 market booths are spread all over this park between the huge trees and it really seems to be a winter wonderland. Local handicraft products, Christmas tree decorations, ideas for Christmas presents as well as local products such as honey, "Luganega", a local meat product as well as boar ham. And as a conclusion of a winter walk we recommend you to try roasted chestnuts and mulled wine. Really warming! Music and entertainment with folc music groups as well as concerts complete the wide offer of the Christmas Market.
Open: 21 November 2015 - 6 January 2016
VENETO
www.veneto.to
CORTINA D'AMPEZZO
In the shadow of the Tofane, the advent period takes on its traditional colours thanks to the Cortina Christmas Market, which brings lights, colour and a festive atmosphere to the main street, Corso Italia. The famous pedestrian street lined by renowned national and international shops, will be scattered with small wooden huts where artisans and local producers exhibit their products. All accompanied by mulled wine, roasted chestnuts and traditional sweets. Inside each of the characteristics wooden huts, a variety of seasonal merchandise, representing the crafts and traditions of the area, will be exhibited and offered for sale. To complete the atmosphere, and to make the browsing and shopping even more enjoyable, there will of course be music to fit the mood, in the form of all the most cherished and traditional Christmas songs. Open: 5 December 2015 - 5 January 2016
ASIAGO
The gardens of Piazza Carli host the Asiago Christmas Market, several huts will sell traditional decorations in glass, wood and ceramic, typical Asiago patisserie, natural products and the famous Asiago cheese. There will also be huts selling local dishes and mulled wine.
Open: 14 November 2015 - 6 January 2016
VERONA
Verona hosts each year a Nuremberg Christmas Market in the central Piazza dei Signori. The German styled market will have all the traditional huts, elegantly illuminated and decorated selling typical food, handicrafts, Christmas tree decorations, cribs and serving specialities such as mulled wine, Stollen and Lebkuchen cakes, bratwurst and more.
Open: 20 November - 27 December 2015
www.nataleinpiazza.it
BELLUNO
From November 29 to December 24 2015 the traditional Christmas Market of Belluno will crowd and light up the gardens of Piazza dei Martiri, one of the most beautiful squares of the city, with its wooden stands, decorations, and bright, colorful lights. Called Christmas Gardens, the market sells wool and wood handmade objects, original gift ideas and local and regional specialties.
There will be about twenty stands and many outdoor refreshment areas with mulled wine, sandwiches and hot chocolate. In the weekend there will also be entertainment such as music, games for children and shows.
AOSTA VALLEY
www.lovevda.it
AOSTA
The successful recipe of the "Marché Vert Noël", one of the most known Christmas markets of the Alps, is explained by the location. A coloured alpine village surrounded by music and lights, with roads, squares, bridges, wooden chalets and a true fir forest, is recreated in the "heart" of Aosta. Visitors will be able to walk around the "streets" of the village searching for a gift or simply admiring the traditional handicrafts such as ceramics, wooden items, clothing accessory in wool, felt, leather and hemp fabric, Christmas decorations and typical gastronomic products.
Even this year, the colourful and suggestive scenery of the Christmas markets in the City of Aosta will take place throughout the Christmas holidays from November 28 2015 to 6 January 2016.
FRIULI VENEZIA GIULIA
www.turismo.fvg.it
TRIESTE
In Trieste you can feel the old charm of the Austrian-Hungarian Empire in its Christmas Market in Piazza Sant'Antonio and surrounding streets: typical Trieste foods and wines, Christmas decorations, artificial snow, songs and music to accompany the visitor during the festive season. Open: 8 to 24 December 2015. There is also a French Christmas Market in the same Piazza selling French and Italian delicacies from 19 to 29 November 2015.
UDINE
Enjoy the magic and the charm of the Christmas songs, markets and the fabulous atmosphere in the fascinating setting of the city of Udine.
Open: 26 November - 8 December 2015
SAURIS
The Christmas Market in Sauris re-lives each year the tradition of this delightful mountain village. Along the narrow streets and the quaint squares Father Christmas and wooden hut selling festive food and wine, toys and decoration will animate the atmosphere. Not to be missed is the opportunity to discover the old Sauris on a horse-drawn carriage.
Open: 5-8 December 2015
CHRISTMAS IN THE CITIES
Christmas is a well loved tradition all over Italy and traditional Christmas markets and fairs can be found all over the peninsula in the most important cities.
ROME
Piazza Navona Christmas Market
Over Christmas, the piazza is suddenly swamped by a bustling multi-coloured market, selling cribs, decorations and sweets. A treat for young children, it reaches its height of excitement on the night of 5th January, when the "Befana" (The Good Witch) flies about the country, delivering presents to "well-behaved " children and pieces of coal to the naughty ones. www.turismoroma.it
Open : 8 December 2015 to 8 January 2016
VENICE
Christmas fairs in various piazzas (campo) in Venice: Campo S.Bartolomeo, Campo San Salvador, Campo San Luca, Campo Manin, Strada Nuova
Open: 20 - 24 December 2015
FLORENCE
Mercato Tedesco di Natale (German Christmas Market)
Piazza Santa Croce
This Christmas Market is inspired by the tradition of the German city of Heidelberg, wooden huts and stalls selling Italian and German delicacies, decorations, handicrafts.
Open: 2 - 20 December 2015 www.firenzeturismo.it
BOLOGNA
Fiera di Santa Lucia
Portico of Chiesa dei Servi in Strada Maggiore
The Santa Lucia market takes place at Portico dei Servi at the Church of Santa Maria dei Servi in the heart of the centre of Bologna. In front of the church building there is a airy space surrounded by porticoes of tall marble columns.
This traditional Fair dedicated to Christmas, stalls full of decorations for the Xmas tree, the nativity crib, food and wine and other delicacies.
Open: 18 November to 26 December 2015
NAPLES
Nativity Cribs in Via S. Gregorio Armeno
This narrow street is famous all over the world for its handcrafted Nativity Crib figurines, from the traditional ones to the most sophisticated, it buzzes at Christmas time with Neapolitans and tourists alike.
MILAN
Il villaggio delle meraviglie
Giardini Indro Montanelli, entry from Corso Venezia.
Christmas market and other seasonal activities for adults and children takes place in these gardens in the centre of Milan, with a skating rink and shows with various performance artists throughout the festive season.
Open: 29 November 2015 - 11 January 2016
Milan also hosts every year the "Oh Bej Oh Bej" fair during the celebrations of its Patron Saint, Saint Ambrose, in the area near the Sforza Castle. It is a very traditional market fair with typical Milanese artisan food, wines and other products.
Open 7-10 December 2015
TURIN
This traditional market returns with many new exhibitors and full of joy, colour, tradition, celebration, solidarity, peace, light and sweetness: a wide range of gift items for Christmas, together with tastings and selling of culinary delights and specialities of Piedmont producers and other Italian regions.
Open: 4-23 December 2015 in Piazza Borgo Dora, 34.
www.turismotorino.org
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