ITENES

All the colours of life. God at heart.

♡♡☆☆☀
THE CHIARA! CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

What a lovely Christmas!

Markets, little towns and lovely discoveries

An afternoon under the lights. Hot chocolate to share. A gift chosen with love. Your next Christmas memory starts here.

135 guides to choose from

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Christmas market in Strasbourg’s old town in 2018. Archive photograph, not the 2026 edition.
Photo credits

What kind of Christmas?

Choose where to go. Let Christmas bring the magic.

Today I feel like…
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Times indicate a relaxed visit at the destination; travel from home is excluded.

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Put admission, arrival, visiting time and an indoor alternative side by side.

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Matera · Sasso Caveoso

Province of Matera · Basilicata · Italy

Admission and costs
The living nativity lists €12 for adults and €7 for children aged 5–10, plus presale and booking fees; under-fives enter free. Official purchases are through Sudticket, selecting an available performance date.
Getting there
For drivers, Matera Welcome identifies Via Lanera and Piazza Matteotti parking near the centre. Continue to the entrance printed on your ticket rather than driving into the Sassi: the historic districts have specific access restrictions and controlled entrances.
Time to allow
Allow around 4 hours at the destination, excluding travel.
If it rains
Palazzo Lanfranchi beside Piazzetta Pascoli houses the National Museum of Matera’s art collections. It requires its own ticket, separate from the nativity event; Museo Ridola is temporarily closed and is not the proposed backup.
Where to park
Use parking on Via Lanera or at Piazza Matteotti. Continue to the entrance on your ticket and check vehicle restrictions in the Sassi.
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Avio Castle

Autonomous Province of Trento · Trentino-South Tyrol · Italy

Admission and costs
Admission to the market alone is free. Frescoed rooms and guided visits require separate FAI tickets; the shuttle is also charged separately. The keep is temporarily closed for maintenance and is excluded from this proposed route.
Getting there
For the ascent use the organised departure point at Piazza Conciliazione in Sabbionara d’Avio, where shuttle tickets are sold in cash. Parking areas are signposted on the approach roads; the final castle route includes unpaved ground.
Time to allow
Allow around 3 hours at the destination, excluding travel.
If it rains
The Baronial Palace houses some exhibitors indoors. The Casa delle Guardie adds a ticketed interior visit, but the complex still includes outdoor spaces and unpaved sections, so this is not a completely sheltered outing.
Where to park
Parking is signposted on the approach roads. The shuttle departs from Piazza Conciliazione in Sabbionara d’Avio, where tickets are sold for cash.
Route and accessibility
The approach to the castle includes unpaved ground and can be challenging for visitors with reduced mobility.
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6 guides to explore

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Dates for your diary!

Open the destination calendar (3)

Dates refer to the particular event named. Some markets open only on selected days: read the guide before planning your journey.

Caltagirone, Sicily · Christmas in Caltagirone 2026/271 Dec 2026 – 6 Jan 2027

Christmas in Caltagirone 2026/27

Still to come

Nativity circuit period; arrange individual venues, admissions and tickets with the organiser.

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Cagliari, Sardinia · Cagliari Christmas markets1 Dec 2026 – 6 Jan 2027

Cagliari Christmas markets

Still to come

Piazza Yenne, corso Vittorio Emanuele II and piazza del Carmine areas; check individual activity schedules and admission separately.

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Catania · Christmas Town at Le Ciminiere5 Dec 2026 – 6 Jan 2027

Christmas Town at Le Ciminiere

Still to come

Closes at 7 pm on 24 Dec. Opens at 4 pm on 25 Dec and 1 Jan.

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Dates and the latest checks appear in each guide. Consult the official links for changes.

Christmas in everyday life

The Singing Christmas Tree in Werdmühleplatz, Zurich, in an archive press photograph. This is not a performance from the 2026 edition.
TO DISCOVER

In Zurich the Christmas tree really sings. And you want to leave!

Red capes, green branches and dozens of voices: the Singing Christmas Tree is also a tree made of people. From 19 November to 23 December 2026 a square in the heart of Zurich is once again filled with music. And the concerts are free.

A nativity scene with the infant Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
TO DISCOVER

CHRISTMAS: THERE IS MORE THAN ONE STORY IN THE NATIVITY SCENE!

Shepherds and Magi meet in our cribs. In the Gospels, they come from two different stories waiting to be discovered.

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