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MERCATINI DI NATALE
CHRISTMAS MARKETS
From north to south Christmas markets and Nativity Scenes color many squares and streets in Italy. Here are some:
CHRISTMAS MARKETS IN VENETO
Asiago (Vicenza)
I Giardini di Natale
Through Jan. 6, GIARDINI DI NATALE / ASIAGO CHRISTMAS MARKETS. The Asiago's Christmas markets will fill with magic and colors Piazza Carli and Piazza Il Risorgimento. From Dec. 10 to 21, open in the afternoon on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays; and daily Dec. 21-Jan. 6. Wooden booths feature a large variety of Christmas items and gift ideas; food booths with local specialties and vin brulè (mulled wine).
Bassano del Grappa (Vicenza)
Mercatino di Natale
Through Dec. 26, MERCATINO DI NATALE / CHRISTMAS MARKET. In Piazza Garibaldi and Piazza Libertà, daily, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Mondays open in the afternoon. Typical little huts offer traditional seasonal gifts (handmade wooden, glass and ceramic products along with Christmas tree decorations, delicious seasonal pastries and original gifts), plenty of food specialties available plus vin brulè (mulled wine).
Bussolengo (Verona)
Villaggio di Natale
Through Jan. 6, 2020, FLOVER’S CHRISTMAS VILLAGE. An enchanted place where you can visit Santa Claus, ice skate, light the tree of the wood gnomes, meet artisans, elves, enjoy holiday foods and purchase decorations and personalized ornaments.
Jesolo (Venice)
Through Jan. 6, JESOLO CHRISTMAS VILLAGE, in Piazza Aurora, Via Trentin and Piazza Mazzini; open daily 2-8 p.m.; holidays 10 a.m.-8 p.m., it is the largest Christmas market of Veneto with 80 small white wooden houses embellished with lights and decorations with handcrafts, traditional products, and all kinds of food specialties. A free shuttle service will be active for the entire Christmas holiday period. Two big Christmas trees will illuminate the two squares, with traditional ice skating rink and Santa Claus and his elves will welcome children. Also, the two squares will host several events including live concerts with special guests, circus shows and workshops for children.
Presepe di Sabbia
Sand Nativity
Through Feb. 9, 2020, Jesolo, 18th edition of PRESEPE DI SABBIA / SAND NATIVITY, in Piazza Marconi. A huge sand nativity sculptured by the best sand artists in the world. Free entrance, donations accepted. Mondays through Fridays 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 2:30-7:30 p.m.; Sundays and holidays 9:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.; approximately 500 square meters of exhibition area, 1,500 tons of sand more than one million visitors since the first edition.
Marostica (Vicenza)
Through Jan. 6, in Piazza Castello, NATALE CON NOI / CHRISTMAS WITH US. Ice skating rink, open every day. During the weekends there will be a refreshment stand with mulled wine and hot drinks by the Pro Marostica Association. In the Castello Inferiore, “Lo specchio delle Immagini” / The Mirror of Images, by Gabriel Pacheco is an exhibition of children's book illustrations in collaboration with the Štěpán Zavřel Foundation; open Tuesday to Sunday, from 10 a.m.-noon and from 3-6 p.m.; free admission. Dec. 15 & 22 from 9 a.m., medieval market with 65 exhibitors; from 3 p.m. performances by street artists and music in the historical center; Santa Claus and his elves meet children. Dec. 24, traditional afternoon for children and teenagers; from 3 p.m. musical animation in the streets downtown and under the tree; traditional singing by the Youth Choral Association; parade of shepherds and Santa Claus with elves. Hot drinks, panettone and popcorn offered by the Pro Marostica Association; at 5.30 p.m. arrival of the comet and Incendio al Castello, a special fireworks effect from the castle in the square; Dec. 26 at 6 p.m. Christmas Concert.
Verona
Mercatino di Norimberga
Through Dec. 26, Verona, 12°MERCATINO DI NORIMBERGA / 12th NUREMBERG CHRISTMAS MARKET. In Piazza dei Signori, Cortile Mercato Vecchio, Via della Costa, Piazza Indipendenza, Piazza Viviani, Lungadige San Giorgio, Ponte Pietra, Ponte Scaligero of Castelvecchio and Piazza San Zeno. Sunday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, and holidays’ eve: 10 a.m.-11 p.m.; Dec. 24, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Dec. 25, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Dec. 26, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
36⁰ Presepi dal Mondo
36th International Nativity Sets Exhibit
Through Jan. 19, at the Palazzo Gran Guardia (across from the Arena).
Open daily 9 a.m.-8 p.m. More than 400 nativity sets from all over the world, designed by craftsmen and artists; shows of lights and music. Entrance fee: €7; reduced €6 for children aged 6-12 and senior citizens older than 65. Tickets available at Arcovolo 14 in Arena; every day including holidays 9 a.m.-8 p.m.
CHRISTMAS MARKETS IN TRENTINO ALTO-ADIGE
Bolzano
Mercatino di Natale
Christmas market
Through Jan. 6, the Christmas market in South Tyrol is Italy's biggest CHRISTMAS MARKET; in Piazza Walther, open daily, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Dec. 24, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; Dec. 31, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Jan. 1, 2020, noon-7 p.m.; Dec. 25, closed. Jan. 2-6, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Typical little huts offer traditional seasonal gifts including handmade wooden, glass and ceramic products along with Christmas tree decorations, delicious seasonal pastries and original gifts, plenty of food specialties available, plus vin brulè (mulled wine); daily, horse-drawn carriage tours; pony and sightseeing rides starting in Piazza Walther. During weekends before Christmas, concerts downtown and in Piazza Walther. Ice rink at the Parco Stazione, transformed for the holidays into a Christmas village. The ice rink is open Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Dec. 24 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; closed Dec. 25; Dec. 31 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Bressanone/Brixen
Through Jan. 6, BRIXEN CHRISTMAS MARKET, about 154 miles north of Vicenza; in Piazza Duomo, Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m.; Sundays and Italian holidays, 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m.; Dec. 24-31, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Dec. 25, closed; Jan 1, noon-7 p.m.; Jan. 6, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tyrolean-style wooden stalls sell wood carvings, nativity sets and nativity figures, handmade pottery, painted glass balls, Tyrolean holiday gifts and Christmas decorations. There is also a wide range of delicacies from Valle Isarco and vin brulè (mulled wine). Also live music, horse-drawn carriage tours; exhibits; carnival rides and ice skating at the Hofburg Square. Open from Nov. 22-Jan. 6, 2020, Monday-Friday 1-8 p.m.; Saturday, Sunday, and Holidays: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Tickets: children €3; €4 adults; skate rental €2.50.
Levico Terme (Trento)
Mercatino di Natale
Christmas market
Through Jan. 6, in the Hapsburg Park. Open daily from 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Dec. 7, 14 from 10 a.m.-10:30 p.m. with fireworks at 9:30 p.m.; closed Dec. 25.
Merano
Through Jan. 6, in Piazza Terme, Piazza della Rena, surrounding downtown streets and along the Passirio River. Vendors' stands open: Sunday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Fridays, Saturdays, and Italian holidays, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Dec. 24 & 31 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m.; Dec. 25, closed; Jan. 1, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Jan 6, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Food booths featuring holiday specialties open: Sunday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Fridays, Saturdays, and Italian holidays, 10 a.m.-10:30 p.m.; Dec. 24 & 31 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Dec. 25, closed; Jan. 1, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Jan 6, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tyrolean-style wooden booths sell quality products belonging to a vast range of products and specialties of the South Tyrolean tradition such as wool items, food specialties including speck, cheese and strudel. Workshops for children 7-11 years old in the little house Goldy, in Piazza della Rena. Children can create holiday decorations and learn cookies recipes. Registration and ticket, which costs €5, at the Passeggiata Lungo Passirio, 14. All workshops are scheduled every Friday from 4:30-6 p.m. Nov. 29 starting at 5 p.m., opening ceremony followed by ice show and live music with local band on the Passeggiata Lungo Passirio; Dec. 27 at 6:30 p.m., figure skating shows.
Trento
Through Jan. 6, 26th TRENTO CHRISTMAS MARKET, in Piazza Fiera and Piazza Cesare Battisti. Sunday to Thursday 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m.; Friday-Saturday 10 a.m.-8:30 p.m.; Dec. 25 closed; Dec. 26 and Jan. 1, 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m.; Jan. 4, 10 a.m.-11 p.m.; Jan. 6, 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m. More than 90 wooden huts in two historic squares of the city center sell local crafts, from Alpine craftsmanship to gift items including gloves, scarves, slippers, wooden objects and wellness products. An entire section is dedicated to the flavors and the tasting of many traditional specialties: canederli, speck, polenta, cheese, stuffed pretzels and typical Trentino desserts, such as strudel, zelten; also, drinks with Trentino craft beers, herbal teas, hot chocolates and the classic mulled wine. A special train is available to visit downtown for children and adults, along a path that crosses the streets of the historic center. In Piazza Santa Maria Maggiore there is the Santa Claus House with the magic sled and the presence of various elves.
CHRISTMAS MARKETS & NATIVITY SCENES IN TUSCANY
Both in Pisa and Livorno, the Christmas period is full of events, shows and markets that occupy the main streets and squares of the cities.
To celebrate the festivities and to emphasize the atmosphere of joy and care, both cities are decorated with bright decorations and colorful fir trees. Every year, three huge Christmas trees are set up in the historic center of Pisa: Piazza delle Vettovaglie, Piazza XX Settembre and Piazza Arcivescovado. The banks of the River Arno, on the other hand, are decorated with sparkling led lights, which are also used to decorate the bridges and gates of the city center. Shows and holiday concerts are then organized over the weekend.
In Livorno the Christmas atmosphere is well-known at the Christmas Village, joy of all the children this year will take place at Ippodromo Caprilli in Viale Italia.
Here you can write your own letter and meet Santa Claus personally surrounded by his elven aides. At the village are also held shows and events with Christmas music. There are also many street artists who animate the streets of the historic center of Livorno, which each year come to celebrate the holidays.
Barberino di Mugello
Natale in Corso
Dec. 15 and 22, market through the historical center's streets with various entertainments, live statues, street artists and nativity scenes.
Florence
Through Dec. 22, FLORENCE WEIHNACHTSMARKT / CHRISTMAS MARKET; from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., in Piazza Santa Croce. The Weihnachtsmarkt Christmas market is Florence's "traditional" market held in Piazza Santa Croce. The market appears as a small Christmas village with typical wooden houses popular in Christmas markets in Germany and in the north of Italy. Here, you will find Italian and international products that make perfect gifts, including Christmas decorations, candles, tableware, clothing and much more, as well as food and wine specialties to be enjoyed on the spot or taken home. Admission is free.
TERRACOTTA DELLA SACRA FAMIGLIA; in front of the Duomo.
Life size nativity scene through Jan. 7.
Abbadia San Salvatore
Through Jan. 6, ABBADIA SAN SALVATORE - CITTA’ DELLE FIACCOLE; every year, this town offers a series of interesting events related to Christmas. Abbadia San Salvatore is known as la città delle fiaccole, due to an ancient tradition that takes place during Christmas Eve, when several small bonfires are set afire along the streets of the medieval town and people celebrate Christmas with carols and tastings of typical local food products. The celebrations start on Dec. 5 with the construction of the first piles for the bonfires and continue until January with a calendar of events that will enrich the magic of this local tradition.
Montepulciano (Siena)
Through Jan. 6, MONTEPULCIANO CHRISTMAS MARKET; Montepulciano at Christmas is transformed into a Christmas market (free admission) with over sixty wooden houses where you'll find handicrafts, delicatessen products, decorations and gifts. Inside the Castle of Montepulciano, instead, children can enjoy the Christmas village set up just for them (this does charge an admission fee).
PRESEPI/NATIVITY SCENES
Though the nativity scenes in themselves vary as to the size, the material they are built with, even the number of elements, people, animals, dress, and activities that are figured - the main concept is always the same: Madonna, Joseph and baby Jesus and though not mentioned in the original story, tradition will frequently add an angel presiding over everything, an ox and a donkey to the image. Sometimes it is located in a manger, sometimes a cave - sometimes with shepherds, and frequently with the three wise men. Another common variation, is a "live presepe", a solemn event where real people dress and pose in character and parade through the city streets before establishing themselves in a readymade stable or cave.
Palazzuolo sul Senio (Florence)
Dec. 15, PALAZZUOLO SUL SENIO MAGIE DELL’AVVENTO - MAGIC OF THE ADVENT; during this time, in Palazzuolo sul Senio, in the upper part of the Mugello, many nativity scenes fill the village during Christmas time. The 1000 Presepi per Palazzuolo / 1000 Nativities/Cribs for Palazzuolo will be on display until Jan. 6.
Cigoli San Miniato
Through Jan. 13, 2020, PRESEPE ARTISTICO; from 9:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
Arezzo
Dec. 26-19 and Jan. 1-5 & 6, AREZZO - PRESEPE VIVENTE LE VILLE OF MONTERCHI; Le Ville is a small hamlet between Arezzo and Monterchi; live nativity scene from 5:15 p.m.
Castelfiorentino
Through Jan. 6, 2020, CASTELFIORENTINO - LA VIA DEI PRESEPI; in the streets downtown.
Grosseto
Through Jan. 6, GROSSETO - PRESEPE DEL PAESE; Montorsaio, in the city streets.
Pisa
MUSEO DEL PRESEPE / NATIVITY SCENE MUSEUM; all year long a truly unique museum with a message of peace. Contact the museum directly for more information. December, PISA - CALENDARIO DELL’AVVENTO; in San Miniato Seminario Vescovile, a life size advent calendar in downtown.
Vinci
Through Jan. 15, 2020, VINCI - MADONNINA DI PETROIO; in Santa Maria a Petroio, Via di Petroio; open 9:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m., a mechanical stage for the nativity scene.
Pistoia
Through Jan. 30, PISTOIA - PRESEPE INSIDE THE CATHEDRAL; in the Cathedral of San Zeno, from 8 -12:30 a.m. and 3:30-6 p.m.
Poppi - Badia di San Fedele
Through January 2020, POPPI - PRESEPI; in Badia di San Fedele, nativity scene with 25-year-long tradition; open every day when the church is open. There are other several nativity scenes to visit in this little town within walking distance, including a life size nativity Scene near the post office, the Church of Ponte a Poppi, the Church of Certomondo, Presepe dei Cappuccini di Ponte a Poppi, and by car, the church of Lierna.
| Date Taken: | 12.12.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 12.12.2019 09:15 |
| Story ID: | 355418 |
| Location: | IT |
| Web Views: | 173 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Out & About: Christmas markets and events in Italy - 2019, by Laura Kreider, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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