Christmas Markets in Mountain Villages: The Most Original to Discover in 2024

A journey through the most original Christmas markets in Italy.

What are the Christmas markets in the mountain villages waiting to be discovered? Wooden chalets, sparkling trees, twinkling lights, the scent of cinnamon, mulled wine, and it's instantly Christmas.

Christmas markets transform cities and mountain villages into enchanted places with a rarefied atmosphere. This is an ancient tradition that dates back to the Middle Ages, having spread from Northern Europe before captivating the world.

Today, from the alpine villages of Trentino to the towns of Umbria, the markets make Christmas at high altitude even more magical.

After a day spent skiing, hiking, and walking in the snow, villages and mountain towns come to life in the evening with traditional markets.

Here are some of the most beautiful and original Christmas markets in Italy where you can savor gourmet delights from starred chefs, take part in tastings at wineries, or enjoy a carriage ride.

These are small fairy-tale villages where children can watch Disney cartoons, write letters to Santa Claus, and dress up as princes and princesses. Bagpipers, stilt walkers, street performers, and angels will make you experience the fairy tale of Christmas.

DISCOVER: CHRISTMAS MARKETS IN MEDIEVAL VILLAGES

The famous Christmas markets of Merano will transport you to a magical Christmas atmosphere in the mountains.

The aroma of cinnamon, spices, and homemade sweets awakens childhood memories. The warm light from the wooden stalls and decorated Christmas trees brighten not just children's eyes. Artisans skillfully crafting their works pass down an ancient knowledge.

All of this is part of South Tyrol's Christmas tradition. At Rena Square in Merano, the Christmas village awaits you.

Don't miss the large chalet where you can taste the refined dishes of the starred chef of Castel Fragsburg, Egon Heiss (awarded by Gault&Millau as the chef of the year 2024), and enjoy selected festive beverages in the traditional "Stube."

Along the Upper Promenade, you'll find Goldy's Cabin, the mascot of the Merano markets, waiting for its young guests on weekends and during the holiday week with numerous workshops for children aged 4 and up.

The Christmas Markets in Merano animate the city center with family-friendly activities. Amidst the Advent decorations, you can skate in Terme Square, discover the city's charming corners by lantern light, enjoy choirs and traditional bands, and taste South Tyrolean delicacies.

From November 29 to January 6, 2025

READ ALSO: CHRISTMAS MARKETS IN ITALY

In Levico Terme, about 25 km away, you can see its equally beautiful markets set up in the natural oasis of the Terme Park, or the Secular Park of the Habsburgs, the most important historical garden of the Great Italian Gardens.

Strolling along the wooden stalls through the scenic tree-lined avenues will take you on a journey to discover the excellences of craftsmanship and gastronomy: Christmas decorations, handcrafted leather, glass, wood, and textile items, traditional flavors, delicious dishes cooked on-site, and toasting to the festivities with warm mulled wine.

Then there will be concerts, fireworks, entertainment for children with creative workshops and a teaching farm, pony rides, and carriage rides, along with culinary festivals to promote local products.

Now in its 23rd edition, the Christmas market of Levico Terme welcomes both young and old.

From November 23, 2024, to January 6, 2025

READ ALSO: CHRISTMAS IN THE VILLAGES

In Vipiteno, in northern South Tyrol, the market resonates with the music from the recently installed 25-bell carillon on the Twelve Tower, watching over the city.

The musician Josef Haller from Vipiteno composed a piece, with orchestra accompaniment, for the new carillon that you can listen to every Saturday of Advent at 5 PM and Sundays at 12 PM. On weekdays, the carillon will automatically play at 5 PM.

The sweet sound of the bells fills the Vipiteno market framed by the snow-covered mountains.

You can stroll among the warm lights of the wooden stalls, the craftsmanship, and the exquisite local products. Amidst the scent of cinnamon and mulled wine, the Christmas melodies blend in.

Dates: November 29, 2024, to January 6, 2025

DISCOVER: CHRISTMAS MARKETS IN THE MOUNTAINS

Bressanone also welcomes Christmas with a charming market filled with Tyrolean atmosphere. Around the Cathedral, surrounded by majestic hundred-year-old homes, the market gathers where you can stroll among the aromas, flavors, and colors of Christmas.

You can take romantic carriage rides through the city or wander among wooden sculptures, candles, handcrafted glass, and ceramic items to rediscover ancient crafts.

The specialties of the Isarco Valley will warm both young and older food enthusiasts. Go in search of beautiful artisan nativity scenes in the historic palaces, including the Hofburg and the Bishop's Palace.

Finally, meet in the Cathedral Square in Bressanone for an Advent concert.

November 29, 2024, to January 6, 2025

READ ALSO: MARKETS IN ITALIAN VILLAGES

The alpine village of Aprica, just a step away from Milano, transforms into a charming Christmas village. The characteristic wooden huts of various artisans and local producers are set up in the town center, amidst music, lights, and entertainment for children.

The perfect après-ski after a day of skiing. Aprica, situated between the Orobie Alps and the Southern Rhaetian Alps, has 50 kilometers of slopes.

From December 21, 2024, until January 6, 2025

READ ALSO: TO THE CHRISTMAS MARKETS BY THE TRANS-SIBERIAN OF ITALY

In Castelrotto, a beautiful South Tyrolean village in the Isarco Valley, at the foot of Alpe di Siusi, the Christmas market will transport you to a fairy-tale dimension.

The "Christmas in the Mountains" (Kastelruther Bergweihnacht) market is quite small but very charming. The wooden huts offer local products like the Sarner, the traditional wool jacket, nativity items, and handcrafted goods.

Among the gastronomic specialties, you can taste traditional sweets like Zelten, Christstollen, and Krapfen, paired with mulled wine and apple spritz. Contributing to the market's magic is the music from brass groups and Christmas choirs.

The unmissable event is the Christmas concert by the "Kastelruther Spatzen" or "Castle Sparrows," which takes place around mid-December in the tennis court of Telfen. The Christmas Market of Castelrotto is held every weekend of Advent until the end of December.

From December 6 to December 29, 2024

In Brunico, the spirit of Christmas fills all the streets of the medieval historic center.

Amidst the decorations in Town Hall Square and the snow-covered Plan de Corones in the background, the atmosphere in the village of Val Pusteria in December becomes truly romantic.

READ ALSO: CHRISTMAS MARKETS IN THE VILLAGES OF ABRUZZO

The wooden huts invite you to discover fragrant baked goods and delicious traditional dishes, Christmas gift ideas, and the artisanal traditions of Brunico. Warm up with a steaming cup of tea or a glass of mulled wine.

In addition, Brunico organizes a program of events suitable for all ages: on December 6, there will be the St. Nicholas parade, on December 17 the living nativity scene, and then every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday you can watch artisans at the Sternbach Palais while every Monday, a guided tour is scheduled in the historic center of the city.

Don't miss the exclusive Christmas scent of Brunico, created by Brunico Kronplatz Tourism in collaboration with the Bergila company: a combination of nature, Christmas, and high-altitude scents.

From November 29, 2024, to January 6, 2025

DISCOVER ALSO: CHRISTMAS MARKETS AT PLAN DE CORONES

Tussio, a hamlet of the municipality of Prata d'Ansidonia, located about 30 km from L'Aquila, also organizes its Christmas market.

On November 30 and December 1, the small Abruzzese village transforms into a Christmas kingdom. Stalls with colored Christmas ornaments, lights, handmade decorations of all kinds, delicacies, and surprises await.

The Tussio Village Association has organized two festive days to welcome the most magical moment of the year. The program includes markets, nativity scenes, moving music through the streets, food trucks with culinary specialties, bagpipers, and stilt walkers.

For the little ones, there will be giant bubble shows, clowns, and creative workshops for writing letters to Santa Claus.

November 30 and December 1.

Gubbio transforms into a true Christmas city with attractions and events for both adults and children.

This charming Umbrian town boasts a giant Christmas tree, artistic lighting in Piazza San Giovanni, a Ferris wheel, nativity scenes, lights, and decorations throughout the city.

READ ALSO: THE CHRISTMAS TREE OF GUBBIO

In the picturesque location of the gardens of Piazza Quaranta Martiri, the Christmas market will take place, where you can stroll among sought-after handcrafted items, Christmas decorations, and delicious culinary specialties. An opportunity to find many ideas for Christmas shopping.

In the market area, you'll also find Santa's train, the enchanted carousel, and fishing for children. The market is open every weekend in December and continues from November 30 to January 6, 2025.

From November 30 to January 6, 2025

The traditional Marché Vert Noël transforms some areas of Aosta into enchanting alpine villages. In the historic center of the city, small wooden chalets line up across Piazza Caveri, Piazza Giovanni XXIII, and Piazza Roncas.

The chalets offer culinary specialties, handcrafted items, antiques, Nordic inspirations, and gift ideas.

Along the streets of the Marché Vert Noël, you'll also see exhibitions of works by local artisans, experts in woodcraft, capable of transforming tree trunks into artworks that warm the heart and amaze children and adults alike. The market is an opportunity to visit the historic center of Aosta immersed in a magical atmosphere.

From November 23, 2024, to January 6, 2025

In the Ricetto of Candelo, one of the most beautiful medieval villages in Italy, the Borgo di Babbo Natale returns this year. It is a suggestive event that allows you to rediscover the magic of Christmas in a historic and extraordinary place.

In this Piedmontese village, founded between the late 13th and early 14th centuries, you will spend an unforgettable day.

Every year before Christmas, the medieval Ricetto transforms into a Christmas market with exhibitions, songs, music, stalls, cellars filled with lights, the illuminated tree, and many decorations. Children will get to meet Santa Claus.

The heart of this fairy-tale village is Santa Claus's house, complete with a Post Office where children can drop off their letters.

For the little ones, the event offers a series of workshops: create your greeting card; a search for traditional items in the little Elf's house; the "Wooden Workshops" with Andrea Brickos; creative recycling with Divertistudio; a place to dress up as princes and princesses. The route, consisting of six stations of free educational activities and workshops for children, will be active every day of the event.

At each stop, little visitors accompanied by their parents will receive a sticker that will create a beautiful souvenir puzzle of the day.

For adults, there will be shopping among the wooden huts, music from choirs and bagpipers, tastings at wineries, and guided tours to learn about the history of the Ricetto.

From November 16 to December 8, 2024