Christmas in Bolzano is an enchantment that is repeated every year, but with a freshness and vitality that always makes it new and full of novelties. There is something extraordinarily unique in the atmosphere that envelops the city during the Christmas Market, the famous Christkindlmarkt, an event that transforms the capital of Alto Adige into a true treasure chest of lights, colors and scents, where every corner of the city seems to converge towards a single feeling: the joy of Christmas, experienced with an intensity and participation capable of infecting residents, tourists, adults and children.
The beating heart: Piazza Walther
The fulcrum of Bolzano’s Christmas is Piazza Walther, the “living room” of the city, where the most awaited moment will take place, namely the lighting of the Wishing Tree, which this year, on 28 November, at 5 pm, will mark the official start of the Christmas Market. The tree, twenty meters high and decorated with over 1300 sparkling lights, takes on the role of a symbol of hope and sense of community, which goes beyond the concept of a simple artistic installation and is transformed into an act of solidarity: the decorations that adorn it are fruit of the creativity of children and young people being treated in hospitals, created during the ceramic therapy workshops organized by the Lene Thun Foundation. We are talking about a moment of collective joy, where art intertwines with life, managing to give emotions that they remain long in the hearts of those who participate.
Tradition and novelty
The Bolzano Christmas Market, which we remember as the oldest in Italy, perfectly embodies that ideal balance between tradition and innovation: walking among the 74 wooden houses in Piazza Walther takes us back in time, among ancient artisan traditions that mix with excellent gastronomic offerings, where the mixed scent of mulled wine and strudel spreads through the air, inviting customers to stop for a break between one stall and another.
This year there is also something new: the Market expands along Via Isarco up to the Parco dei Cappuccini, where another 18 stalls will enrich the exhibitors’ offer, a new area that will become an unmissable stop for anyone who wants to explore everything that the Mercatino has to offer, without missing even a corner of this extraordinary festival.
An increasingly green market
The 2024 edition marks a further step towards sustainability. The houses are committed to minimizing the environmental impact, favoring the use of regional and organic products, there will be no disposable crockery, but only reusable cutlery, while the brochures will be printed on recycled paper. In this way, even an event like the Christmas Market becomes an opportunity to reflect on how traditions can evolve while respecting the environment. It is no coincidence that the invitation to all visitors is to reach Bolzano by train, to experience Advent in an ecological way.
The city in music and art
The Christmas Market represents only the starting point of a sensorial adventure that will embrace the entire city of Bolzano, transformed for the occasion into an open-air stage, where music and art become the protagonists. Over 130 concerts will enliven the historic centre, with folk bands and choirs performing every weekend in Piazza Walther, and for those who love classical music, there will be no shortage of prestigious events, such as the “Dommusik” concert in the Duomo, scheduled for 29 November.
The magic of Bolzano does not end with the notes: contemporary art will also find space thanks to the “Angelus Loci” project, which will see the city enriched with site-specific installations, designed to evoke the presence of angels: every corner of the city will become a small open-air gallery, with many works that will excite participants.
A Christmas for all ages
If there is one aspect that makes the Bolzano Christmas Market unique, it is its ability to truly make everyone dream, from the little ones to the adults. For children, Christmas becomes a real adventure, with many activities dedicated to them: in Piazza Walther they can ride the wooden horses, or take a ride on the electric train, while in Piazza Municipio the puppet theater will be organised. And then there will be the ice skating rink, where adults and children can have fun under the starry sky.
As mentioned previously, Christmas in Bolzano is also made up of ancient traditions, which find space in events such as the visit of San Nicolò on 6 December, or the arrival of the fearsome “Krampus”, scheduled for 8 December, in which we will be able to get to know these mythological figures who have always been part of South Tyrolean folklore.
Discovering the historic center
A visit to Bolzano during the Christmas period will also give us the opportunity to discover the rich historical and cultural heritage of the city. The market thus becomes the excuse to explore the medieval alleys, squares and monuments that make Bolzano a fascinating city in every season, but which take on a particular charm at Christmas. From the guided tours that cross Piazza Walther to the Cathedral and the Porticoes, to the museums that open their doors for the “Find & Win” initiative, Bolzano will always have something for you to discover.
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