Verona is a captivating city at any time of year, but it takes on a special charm during the Christmas season. Its squares light up, the streets of the city centre fill with stalls and the aromas of spices, and local traditions create an atmosphere that goes far beyond the usual Christmas markets.
From the magnificent Arena to the medieval squares and the shops of the historic centre, this city has plenty of ways for you to enjoy the most eagerly awaited season of the year. And if you’re travelling with children, there is no shortage of experiences for the whole family, from the feast of Saint Lucy to Christmas villages.
What can you do in Verona at Christmas? Here are five unmissable experiences to discover the city over the holidays, from local traditions and seasonal treats to beautiful places.
1. Explore Verona’s Christmas markets
Verona’s Christmas markets are among the city’s most popular festive events. Every year, between November and December, the historic centre comes alive with traditional wooden chalets selling Christmas decorations, artisan products, gifts and local delicacies. The markets take inspiration from the German Christkindlmarkt tradition, particularly the market in Nuremberg, with which Verona has developed close ties over the years. As you browse the stalls, you’ll find wooden objects, ceramics, handmade ornaments and plenty of Christmas gift ideas.
Of course, visiting the markets is also the perfect excuse for a tasty treat. With the aromas of mulled wine, spiced sweets and regional specialities in the air, it’s hard to resist trying something.
One treat you simply have to taste is pandoro, Verona’s quintessential Christmas cake. Its modern version was patented here in 1894 by Domenico Melegatti, although its origins go back to a much older baking tradition. Also be sure to try Nadalìn, a star-shaped cake considered one of pandoro’s predecessors.
Market locations and dates can change from year to year, so check the official Verona tourism website for the latest programme before you travel.
2. Discover the international Nativity Scenes from Around the World exhibition
If you love Christmas traditions, one of Verona’s most distinctive events is the International Exhibition of Nativity Scenes in Art and Tradition, also known as Presepi dal Mondo (Nativity Scenes from Around the World).
Organised by the Fondazione Verona per l’Arena, the exhibition takes visitors on a journey through different interpretations of the Nativity. The works come from museums, private collections, artists and nativity-scene makers in numerous countries, revealing how the same tradition can take on different forms, materials and meanings across cultures. Alongside Italian nativity scenes, from Neapolitan examples to more contemporary creations, you can admire displays from other parts of the world, some made using remarkable materials and craft techniques.
This is much more than a collection of objects: music, lights and projections help create an immersive experience that is especially enchanting for children.
First held in 1984, the exhibition has become one of the symbols of Christmas in Verona, alongside the famous Stella Cometa dell’Arena, the monumental comet-star installation designed by architect Rinaldo Olivieri that has shaped the festive appearance of Piazza Bra for decades.
For Christmas 2026, the exhibition is scheduled to run from 14 November 2026 to 17 January 2027, opening from 9 am to 8 pm. Before visiting, check out the venue, admission arrangements and ticket prices on the official Presepi dal Mondo website.
3. Experience Verona’s Saint Lucy tradition
Did you know that, for many children in Verona, the most eagerly awaited figure of the Christmas season is not Father Christmas but Saint Lucy? The feast on 13 December is one of the city’s most deeply rooted traditions. According to legend, Saint Lucy arrives at night with her faithful donkey, bringing sweets and presents to children. That is why, the evening before, many families leave out something to eat for her and the animal before going to bed.
In the days leading up to the feast, Piazza Bra traditionally hosts the banchéti de Santa Lùssia, stalls selling toys, sweets, decorations and small gifts. This much-loved local tradition makes the square even livelier and gives visitors a chance to discover a custom closely tied to Verona’s identity.
Among the specialities to try are frolle di Santa Lucia, small shortbread biscuits in all sorts of shapes, often stars, hearts or animals, which fill the windows of Verona’s pastry shops in December.
If you can visit Verona around 13 December, it’s one of the best times to discover the most authentic, family-oriented side of the city’s festivities.
4. Admire the Christmas lights and stroll through the historic centre
One of the loveliest things to do in Verona over the holidays is simply stroll through the illuminated historic centre, wandering between squares, monuments and shopping streets.
The ideal starting point is Piazza Bra, dominated by the imposing Verona Arena, which becomes one of the city’s most atmospheric spots during the festive season. For many years, the undisputed symbol of the celebrations has been the giant Stella Cometa, the monumental installation first unveiled in 1984 that has become an icon of Christmas in Verona.
From Piazza Bra, follow Via Mazzini, the main shopping street, where decorated shop windows add to the festive atmosphere, until you reach Piazza delle Erbe, one of Verona’s most charming squares, surrounded by historic buildings and overlooked by the Torre dei Lamberti. A few steps further on lies Piazza dei Signori, with its elegant medieval buildings and statue of Dante. It’s a perfect place to take a break and appreciate the historic centre in a different guise from the summer months.
If you want to extend your walk, head to nearby Ponte Pietra for beautiful views of the River Adige and the hills surrounding Verona. At sunset, as the remnants of daylight give way to the city lights, the setting is particularly enchanting.
To round off the day, nothing beats stopping at one of the centre’s pastry shops for a hot chocolate or a slice of handmade pandoro.
5. Visit the Flover Christmas Village in Bussolengo
If you’re travelling with children, or simply love the Christmas atmosphere, it’s worth spending a few hours at the Flover Christmas Village in Bussolengo, a short distance from Verona. Considered one of Italy’s best-known Christmas villages, this large themed attraction transforms Flover Garden into a world of decorations, lights, music and fairytale settings. Here you can wander among decorated Christmas trees, nativity scenes, handcrafted objects and rooms arranged in different styles and colours. The village is also a great place to find gifts and unusual decorations for your home.
For younger visitors, the main attraction is, of course, Santa’s House, where they can meet Father Christmas and hand over their letters. Other activities include the Flover Express train, rides and an ice rink, as well as shows and entertainment organised during the festive period. There are also several places to eat and drink inside the village, ideal for a break between activities.
Admission to Flover Christmas Village is free, although some attractions and special experiences may incur a charge.
The 30th edition, running from 7 November 2026 to 6 January 2027, is another reason to discover this destination, especially if you’re spending Christmas in Verona with the whole family. The village is closed on 25 December and 1 January.
Christmas in Verona: when to go and useful tips
The best time to visit Verona at Christmas is from the second half of November to the end of December, when the city comes alive with markets, decorations and festive activities.
If you want to experience the most authentic traditions, plan your visit around 13 December, for the feast of Saint Lucy. If you prefer a quieter atmosphere, choose weekdays and, if possible, avoid the weekends closest to Christmas.
The historic centre is easy to explore on foot, and many of the main attractions are just a short walk apart. To enjoy all five experiences we’ve suggested, ideally spend at least two days in Verona, dedicating one day to the historic centre and the other to Christmas activities and perhaps a trip to the surrounding area.
Verona at Christmas is a city best enjoyed at a leisurely pace: between a walk beneath the festive lights, a visit to the nativity scenes and a stop to taste traditional sweets, you’ll find plenty of reasons to fall for its atmosphere.
So are you ready to discover the charm of Christmas in Verona?
