From 6 to 8 December 2024, the enchanted village of Santa Maria Maggiore returns to host one of the most loved and largest Christmas markets in Europe. In the heart of Val Vigezzo, over 200 carefully selected exhibitors will populate streets and squares, giving visitors a unique experience of art, tradition and local flavours.
Quality craftsmanship
The Santa Maria Maggiore Christmas market is renowned throughout Italy for the quality and variety of exhibitors. Selected since last spring, the artisans offer products made entirely by hand: from artisanal nativity scenes to stone and wooden houses, from refined ceramics to artefacts in blown glass, wood and metals. Original Christmas decorations and decorations complete the offer, making each stall a fascinating and evocative stop.
Local flavors and 0km food and wine products
For lovers of gastronomy, the twelve chalets in Piazza Risorgimento offer culinary specialties typical of these lands between mountains and lakes. The market hosts a total of 46 food and wine exhibitors, with a selection of cheeses, cured meats, honey, craft beers, liqueurs, fresh pasta, preserves, fruit juices, panettone and Christmas sweets. All products come from local companies in the province of Alto Piedmont, guaranteeing maximum freshness and zero-kilometre quality.
What makes the atmosphere even more special are the architecture of the historic centre, enriched by Christmas decorations and refreshment points where you can taste the typical mulled wine or Vigezzo coffee, accompanied by roasted chestnuts, polenta and typical dishes. The outdoor refreshment points, along the entire route, offer visitors a taste of local traditions, while the restaurants in the town and surrounding area welcome those looking for a more comfortable break, with the possibility of booking.
The event also offers numerous entertainment: from jazz and folk musical bands, to bagpipes and accordions, up to the evocative Alpine Horns. For the little ones, the Santa Claus House in Piazza Gennari and numerous activities such as exhibitions, workshops and shows enrich the program, which can be consulted online on the official website of the market.
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Christmas-themed museums and exhibitions
During the days of the market, Santa Maria Maggiore opens the doors of its museums with special displays: the Chimney Sweep Museum, unique in Italy, the “Rossetti Valentini” School of Fine Arts and the Feminis-Farina Perfume House, which celebrates the history of Eau de Cologne. The Old Town Hall Cultural Center and the “Grandpa Gianni’s Happy Forest with the Sylvanian Families” also welcome visitors with Christmas exhibitions, giving families a cultural and magical journey.
How to reach Santa Maria Maggiore with the Vigezzina-Centovalli railway
To best experience the atmosphere of the market, the historic Vigezzina-Centovalli Railway offers a convenient and panoramic connection from Domodossola or Locarno. The train journey allows you to admire the mountain landscape of the Vigezzo Valley, enriching the Christmas experience with a spectacular journey through the Alps.
