Christmas in Italy is refreshingly down-to-earth. As a Catholic country, the holiday remains centred on traditions that truly encapsulate the spirit of Christmas. Family and feasting take precedence over flashy commercial displays.
In Florence, Epiphany is celebrated on 6th January with the Cavalcata dei Magi, where participants dress in medieval costumes and parade through the streets of Florence singing and dancing. In Venice, locals dressed as La Befana take to the grand canal in a single-oared boat race.
Christmas events in Italy are deeply rooted in local history, religious customs, and communal identity. Which is why the most magical places to experience the holiday season are the small unassuming hilltop villages that come alive with Christmas markets, live nativity scenes and their own unique traditions.
From the rolling hills of Tuscany to the Alpine landscapes of Veneto, here are some of the most enchanting Christmas villages in Italy, each offering its own unique festive spirit.
Palazzuolo sul Senio, Tuscany
Palazzuolo sul Senio is one of Italy’s most beautiful villages. Tucked into the Apennines, this medieval village in Mugello comes alive during the holiday season with a vibrant calendar of Christmas events. Each year the "Magie dell'Avvento" Christmas markets feature local products, Christmas-themed shows, and activities like gospel choirs and bagpipers.
The magical “100 Presepi” festival transforms Palazzuolo sul Senio from 8th December until 6th January, with nativity scenes (“presepi”) displayed on every corner of the town.
Abbadia San Salvatore, Tuscany
A small but breathtaking town on Mount Amiata near Siena, Abbadia San Salvatore offers a very special and authentic Christmas experience. Every year, on Christmas Eve it hosts the Fiaccole di Natale (“Christmas Torches”) Festival, a thousand-year-old celebration of Midnight Mass. At 6.00pm huge pires, up to seven metres tall are set ablaze, as a choir winds through the village, stopping to sing before each bonfire. Grab a cup of warming Vin Brulé and biscotti and immerse yourself in this deeply spiritual tradition.
Casole d'Elsa, Tuscany
The pretty hilltop town of Casole d’Elsa, near Siena may not be on everyone’s radar, but it hosts a beautiful live nativity scene (“Presepe Vivente”) every Christmas Eve. The medieval streets of this small village also come alive with the “Praesepium” artistic nativity scene, which is displayed from Boxing Day until Epiphany, and is the largest open-air show dedicated to the Nativity. Like many Tuscan hilltowns, including well-known destinations like Montepulciano, the town hosts a Christmas market each year, with craft stalls, artisanal food and wine, including Tuscan gin.
Gubbio, Umbria
One of the oldest and most charming towns in Umbria, Gubbio is famous for hosting the world's largest Christmas tree, which is illuminated on the slopes of Mount Ingino. This spectacular tree, composed of over 700 lights, is visible from miles away and has become a symbol of the holiday in Umbria. To add to the festive magic, a Christmas market fills the medieval streets and squares, featuring artisan crafts and local gourmet products like truffles, panettone, and regional wines. Piazza San Giovanni is illuminated with festive lights and life-sized nativity scenes transform the town.
Verbania, Lake Maggiore
Set on the shores of Lake Maggiore, Verbania hosts an enchanting Christmas Light Festival on the town’s waterfront each year. The glittering spectacle features thousands of lights decorating the town, with displays that illuminate the lakefront. In addition to illuminated displays, Verbania's Christmas market in Piazza San Vittore offers a variety of local crafts, gourmet treats, and regional wines, enhancing the festive ambiance.
Sirmione, Lake Garda
Situated on its own premonitory, Sirmione is arguably the prettiest town on Lake Garda, which makes its waterfront Christmas light displays all the more enchanting. The Christmas market in Piazza Carducci offers local crafts and festive foods, while the medieval Castello Scaligero is lit up from early December. The lakeside town hosts the magical Christmas Notes festival each year featuring live shows in the historic centre, as well as a number of concerts including the annual Sirmione Canta il Gospel. Meanwhile, the neighbouring town of Peschiera del Garda hosts a beautifully illuminated underwater nativity each year in the Canale di Mezzo.
Bassano del Grappa, Veneto
Just one hour from Venice, Bassano del Grappa’s pre-alpine mountain setting is the perfect festive backdrop. The breathtaking town is known for its wooden bridge designed by Andrea Palladio and, of course, for its grappa distilleries. From late November, Christmas lights and market stalls transform the Piazza Garibaldi and Piazza Libertà.
Celebrate Christmas at our Festive Villas in Italy
Each of these picturesque villages can be easily reached from our special collection of Festive Villas in Italy. Opt for a villa within walking distance of historic Florence or set in the heart of a pretty Umbrian village and celebrate Christmas in Italy on a local level. Our Local Concierge can help complete your festive celebrations with in-villa chef dinners, heartwarming cooking classes and cosy local experiences with artisans in Florence.