That time of year has arrived, and with him decorated cities, mistletoe hanging and snow outside the window, but also frostbites and endless dinners with relatives. Christmas is like this, either you love it or you can’t bear it, yet even the less passionate of this holiday can not remain indifferent to the charm of the illuminations and annual traditions. Each city follows its own, and interprets it in its own way.
In Bologna, Christmas means decorated arcades, the typical carved statuettes of the crib, the large Christmas tree in the square, mothers and grandmothers struggling with the dough for an endless production of tortellini. But it also means a city that comes alive, long walks in search of a hot chocolate and, above all, Christmas markets.
Let’s discover together the Christmas markets in Bologna!
Santa Lucia Fair
A must for banquet lovers, the Santa Lucia fair is one of the oldest markets in Europe and a symbol for the city of tradition and being bolognese. Initially located in front of the homonymous church in Via Castiglione, it then moved under the portico of the Servants, overlooking Strada Maggiore, and returns this month after two years of absence. In the wooden houses the largest will be exposed Christmas decorations, handicrafts and confectionery and gastronomic products of the Bolognese tradition, while children can post their letter in the House of Santa Claus. The fair of Saint Lucia is also the only banquet in the city where the Bolognese nativity scenes are exhibited. You can find it from 12 November to 26 December, from 9.30 to 20.
Regional French Markets
If you have a soft spot for the French tradition, this month also returns to the French regional market inPiazza Minghetti, a traveling village which was born from the initiative of a group of French operators in Italy. Its wooden houses will host stands where you can taste typical products of the Alps, from the most popular -Breton biscuits, cheeses, baguettes and macarons, among many – to those more difficult to find in Italy, such as foie gras or the mustard of Dijon. Ideal for a different breakfast, but also for a sought after aperitif of oysters and champagne in the most French corner of the city. The French version of the Christmas markets in Bologna is then enriched with proposals for soap, perfumery and crafts. The appointment is from November 20 to December 19, from 9 am to 8 pm.
Christmas Fair in via Altabella
Finally, those who particularly love the holidays and would like this period never to end will certainly appreciate the Christmas Fair in via Altabella: all day longfrom 9.30 to 20, the banquets at the foot of Saint Peter’s Cathedral will exhibit gift ideas, Christmas decorations, confectionery and handicrafts, in an event that will inaugurate the 19 November and will keep us company until the Epiphany.
Christmas markets in Bologna and surroundings
And if the Christmas markets in Bologna are not enough, here are some ideas in the surrounding area that are definitely worth a visit!
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- The Zola Predosa Christmas Market: from 10 to 17 December 2021
- The Christmas Festival in Monghidoro on 18 December 2021
- The market of Sant’Agata Bolognese on 17 December 2021
- The Christmas market in Casalecchio di Reno, in Piazza del Popolo, from 2 to 18 December 2021
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