5 things to do at Christmas in Lunigiana

In a heady mix of traditions, Christmas spirit and tasty flavors, it seems that Santa Claus (here called Babbo Natale) has chosen to spend his holidays in Lunigiana. Young and old alike will be able to meet him in person along with his trusty elves at La Magica Casa di Babbo Natale in Pontremoli (each weekend from November 30, 2024, through to January 6, 2025)!

And if you are keen on tasting and buying typical local products, in mid-December the village of Bagnone awaits you with the third edition of the Festival del Tartufo e Bagnone Tartufo Walking (December 21–22, 2024), a street food event flavored by truffles and more!

Truly unmissable opportunities to be enchanted by the incredibly festive decorations of the Lunigiana villages!

To be fully immersed in the spirit of “Natale”, be enchanted by the magic of the Christmas markets and events in December!

This period is also an excellent opportunity for food lovers to taste and buy local products and wines, including D.O.P. certified items such as Chestnut Flour, Honey and Tuscan Olive Oil P.G.I. “Colline della Lunigiana”.

• Christmas Markets in the Village of Mulazzo (November 30 and December 1, 2024)
• Christmas Markets in Pontremoli (weekends from November 30 to December 29, 2024)
• Christmas Markets in Tavernelle (November 30 and December 1, 2024)
• Christmas Markets in Fosdinovo (December 1, 2024)
• Accendiamo il Natale in Aulla (December 1, 2024)
• Sapori di Natale in Fivizzano (December 7–8, 2024)
• Si Accende il Natale at Terrarossa Castle (December 8, 2024)
• Magie di Natale in Rometta (December 15, 2024)
• Natale in Piazza at Villafranca in Lunigiana (December 15, 2024)

Many a town in Lunigiana is populated with nativity characters during this period, recreating the wonderful settings of the first ever Christmas with an all-Lunigiano flavor. 

From December 21–22, 2024, a Live Nativity Scene is held at Villecchia in Tresana, immersed in an almost fairytale-like village where time seems to stand still.

From December 25–28, 2024, the scene will be set for the renowned Live Nativity in Equi Terme, between the medieval village and the picturesque nativity scene inside a grotto. This represents a unique opportunity to discover the exceptional nature of the area with the Grotte di Equi Terme (or, Equi Caves). 

The fifth edition of the Gavedo Live Nativity Scene in Mulazzo will be held on December 26, 2024. 

On December 26, 28 and 29, 2024, Castello del Piagnaro in Pontremoli will host the Franciscan Living Nativity, a tribute to Saint Francis of Assisi, to whom the tradition of the living nativity is attributed.

But the Lunigiana landscape offers more than just enchanting live nativity scenes! Indeed, not to be missed are the traditional exhibitions, such as the historic Mechanical Nativity Scene in Pallerone inside the parish church of the hamlet of Aulla, the Mechanical Nativity in Vignola (from December 21, 2024, to January 12, 2025), the Nativity scene in Teglia (from December 8, 2024, to January 6, 2025), and the Mechanical Nativity in Mignegno (from December 24, 2024, to January 6, 2025).

Spending the holiday season in Lunigiana can also be a magical opportunity to visit its beautiful historic homes, including:

• Malaspina Castle in Fosdinovo, open every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday throughout December 2024 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, with guided tours every hour (reservations are recommended);
• Piagnaro Castle in Pontremoli, open daily (closed December 25, 2024) from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm and featuring the Franciscan Living Nativity;
• Brunella Fortress in Aulla, open December 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 26, 28 and 29, 2024, from 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm, with admission and guided tours every 45 minutes;
• Malaspina Castle in Monti di Licciana Nardi, open December 8 and 15, 2024, with reservations required;
• Pallerone Castle, open December 8, 2024, featuring the special Mechanical Nativity Scene with guided tours (reservations are to be made by calling +39 331 8866241);
• Villa Dosi Delfini in Pontremoli, open December 1, 7, 8, 15, 22, 28, 29, 30 and 31, 2024, with reservations required.

With the winter season and accompanying bitterly cold weather, the Tuscan-Ligurian Apennines traditionally provide magical whitewashed landscapes, offering the opportunity to spend truly pleasant days in the snow with friends, family or even solo! 

The Zum Zeri ski area is perfect for skiers (experienced and not), with slopes of varying degrees of difficulty. And from the Rifugio of the Passo dei Due Santi, it is also possible to rent snowshoes to enjoy easy snowshoeing on the soft snow covering the woods leading up to the top of the Spiaggi Mountain, to experience an authentic white Christmas!