Como – “Città dei Balocchi”
Starting from the 27th November, Como becomes famous not only for its magnificent lake, but also for the “Città dei Balocchi”, which is a Christmas fairy village with small wooden houses. In addition, the Magical Light Festival delights tourists with Christmas shiny decorations and lightings, which dangle from the monuments and walls in order to create a magical atmosphere both for kids and adults. All along the luminescent streets and squares, stalls sell artisanal gastronomical products from the territory, as well as typical Christmas decorations. The event offers also an ice rink, where kids and their families can spend a wonderful time together. The Christmas market ends the first days of January.
Arezzo – “The Tyrolean Christmas Village”
Starting from the 20th November till the 26th December, Arezzo hosts a delightful Tyrolean Christmas market with 32 wooden typical houses, which sell wooden carved items, and a Tyrolean hut serving artisanal products and beer. Moreover, the Piazza Grande (the main square) brightens up, providing shiny, colorful lighting in a spectacle called “Big Lights”. The flagship of the event, especially for children, is the House of Santa Claus in Fraternita Palace that hosts Rudolph (the reindeer with red nose), the speaking Christmas Tree, the Christmas Garden (a botanical garden with firs, plants and flowers, where you can also buy gardening items), and of course, one of the biggest Santa Claus in Italy. During your stay, you should also visit the wonderful city of Arezzo. Indeed, you can join a guided tour that will lead you in the historical center of the town.
Merano – “One event, thousands of opportunities”
The Christmas market in Merano starts the 6th December, and ends the 24th of the same month. Starting from the Palais Mamming Musuem, the advent calendar is celebrated in an exhibition of closed windows, unveiling different special surprises each day. Other interesting attraction is the Christmas Forest provided by Forst beer. Here, decorations, lighting and a wooden hut in the middle of the forest create an enchanted atmosphere. Moreover, there will be also the possibility to buy typical products, artisanal beer, and to skate on an ice rink. However, the main event takes place in Piazza Terme, where a glass cube dominates the scene, and stalls are situated all around. In the square, you will find also an ice rink and the Christmas Crib. Last but not least, a guided tour of the city illuminated by lanterns will delight tourists with an evocative, romantic atmosphere.
Verona – “City of Love, City of Christmas”
The Christmas market in Verona is inspired to the Christkindlmarkt In Nuremberg, and it takes place in Piazza dei Signori, which is considered Unesco world heritage site. The event begins the 12th December and lasts till the 24th of the same month. Enveloped in brilliant, intense Christmas lighting, the market comprises about 100 stalls and wooden houses, selling Christmas decorations, artisanal items, Vin Brulé (a sweet, hot wine), Cinnamon delicacies and many other products. Also, a big ice rink is located among Scaligero bridge, Castelvecchio and Adige river.
Mombaroccio – “The Magic Snowfall”
Mombaroccio is a picturesque village in Le Marche that once used to be a medieval castle. During the last days of November and the first half of December, the castle wears an outstanding, shiny dress, made of numerous colorful lights. The main event is definitely the “Magic Snowfall”, a special effect that takes place only during the Christmas Market. In other words, soft, white snowflakes enfold the streets of the village, leaving visitors breathless with amazement. The market also offers concerts, stalls with typical products of Le Marche, and playful activities for kids.
