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Christmas anticipation in South Tyrol

What do you think about when you think of Christmas? Glittering lights, candlelight, the smell of cinnamon and time for your loved ones? Let yourself be enchanted in South Tyrol!

Follow the scent of freshly baked Zelten, a traditional fruitcake, and apple strudel, marvel at traditional South Tyrolean handicraft products and handmade Christmas tree decorations at the market stalls, or warm up your body and soul with a mug of hot mulled wine or fruity punch. The Christmas markets in South Tyrol are a particularly good place to enjoy the pre-Christmas period: it is the perfect way to get in the mood for the festive season.

In addition to the five original South Tyrolean Christmas markets in Bolzano/Bozen, Meran/Merano, Brixen/Bressanone, Sterzing/Vipiteno and Bruneck/Brunico, there are many other Christmas markets worth visiting, even in smaller villages in the mountains and valleys: the Christmas market in Klausen/Chiusa, the Glurns/Glorenza Advent market, the Sarntal Valley Advent, and many more. They make winter in South Tyrol a very special time.

IDM Südtirol-Alto Adige/Alex Filz
IDM Südtirol-Alto Adige/Alex Filz
IDM Südtirol-Alto Adige/Alex Filz
IDM Südtirol-AltoAdige/Marion Lafogler
Christmas

Find your accommodation

The right accommodation for Christmas: we have a wide selection for you.

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All accommodations in South Tyrol

Authentic Christmas Markets

At the five original South Tyrolean Christmas markets, you can enjoy the Christmas season in a special atmosphere.

Bolzano/Bozen
Brixen/Bressanone
sterzing/vipiteno
Meran/Merano
Bruneck/Brunico

Christmas markets outside of the cities

The five original South Tyrolean Christmas markets are not the only places to enjoy an authentic Christmas atmosphere. You can also head to the smaller, yet equally compelling markets in the valleys or in the mountains. Time seems to stand still at the foot of the Dolomites, on the lake shores, in an enchanted forest or even in a barn. Traditions here are still pristine; as are the values conveyed by the Christmas markets.

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All Christmas markets at a glance

By train to the original South Tyrolean Christmas markets

What makes the original South Tyrolean Christmas Markets a certified “Green Event”? Together, we pay attention to sustainability and consciously place value on regional products and authentic experiences. We would love it if you helped us! You can reach our Christmas markets very conveniently and in an environmentally friendly way by bus and train . Thanks to the Südtirol Mobilcard, you can use all forms of public transport with just one ticket. South Tyrol's Christmas markets stand for real enjoyment and local products, genuine craftsmanship and aromatic mulled wine, less traffic and more time for beauty.

IDM Südtirol-Alto Adige/Manuela Tessaro

Tips for your visit to the Christmas market

Enjoy the pre-Christmas period without any stress or traffic jams. It's best to leave your car at home. As a certified “Green Event”, the original South Tyrolean Christmas markets promote sustainability, local products and authenticity, and are easy to reach by bus and train. Thanks to a well-developed public transport network, you can also easily reach the smaller Christmas markets throughout the region by public transport.

You can also get there without a car.

In the run-up to Christmas, we recommend checking the current traffic situation and the availability of parking spots:

Brennerautobahn motorway – the current traffic situation and traffic forecast for the coming months.

Parking in Bolzano/Bozen and Meran/Merano – real-time parking spot availability

During the Christmas season, the cities of South Tyrol shine in a very special light. Make the most of your visit to the Christmas market and immerse yourself in the history of South Tyrol's cities.

You can easily take advantage of South Tyrol's well-functioning local transport network and visit several Christmas markets inside and outside the cities. The South Tyrolean Christmas markets can be reached conveniently and in an environmentally friendly way by bus, train or cable car.

So you can relax on the bus and train and have more time to see everything, stroll around and sample the delicacies.

Get involved in the Christmas workshops

The run-up to Christmas is also about taking time out and spending it together. Gathering the family around the kitchen table or inviting friends over to bake and craft together: this creates moments that really stay with you. At the Christmas markets in South Tyrol, you can learn from masters of these trades: bakers, artisans and chefs give valuable instructions on how to do it yourself. 

In our Christmas workshops, you can be just as creative as your little ones: whether baking Zelten – the traditional South Tyrolean fruit bread – or tying Advent wreaths, felting slippers or filling dough with potatoes and cabbage to prepare Tirtlan pastries: the local handicrafts give the Christmas markets in South Tyrol their authentic character. Look over the artisan's shoulders... or lend a hand yourself!

Advent

Events during the Christmas season

What events should you not miss out on in South Tyrol? You can't count them on one hand. Whether for culture lovers, sports enthusiasts or those who enjoy spending time with the family – our tips are sure to have something for everyone.

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All events in South Tyrol

Christmas traditions we love

An Advent wreath, Christmas tree and Christmas nativity scene are always to be seen in South Tyrol, of course. In the first days of the new year, the carol singers go from house to house. Children or adults dress up as the Magi, the “Wise Men from the East”,  who, according to the Matthew’s Gospel, came to give presents to baby Jesus. The carol singers perform traditional folk songs and collect donations. Using consecrated chalk, they write the year and the letters C+M+B (Christus mansionem benedicat – Christ bless this house) on the front doors.

Christmas

Recipes for the festive season

Would you like to bake traditional South Tyrolean fruit bread or Vanillekipferl, crescent-shaped biscuits? Perhaps accompanied by a mug of South Tyrolean mulled wine? This is how Christmas tastes in South Tyrol: with our recipes, you can easily bring the taste of Christmas into your kitchen.