If Catania doesn’t sound like the ideal city to spend your Christmas break, maybe you’ll change your mind once you’ve read this article!
We often just associate Sicily with idyllic beaches and year-round sun, so you’ll be surprised to know that it also snows here and that Sicily also has magical places where you can celebrate the best season of the year: Christmas.
Here are some suggestions for spending Christmas Time in Sicily, both in and around the city of Catania.
Explore the streets of Catania’s old town, with its Christmas markets and events
From the end of November until mid-January, Catania dons all its finery to celebrate Christmas in style.
The streets are full of festive cheer, with lights, decorations and stalls offering the best Sicilian delicacies and gift options made by local artisans.
The highlight this year is without doubt the Christmas Town, the first and largest real Christmas town in southern Italy. A Christmas theme park that will open its doors on 8 December at the Le Ciminiere exhibition and trade centre, staging numerous attractions, such as an ice rink, play areas equipped with Lego, Playmobil, Disney Princess, Sylvanian Families and Peg Perego, as well as a cinema screening Christmas films and a planetarium.
To find out more and to pre-book, go to the official website.
Meanwhile, in the centre there are two events to look out for:
- Christmas at Corte Montesano (organised by Le Pulci di città) will take place this year on Via Montesano. You’ll find the street lined with wooden stalls displaying gift options, as well as events and creative workshops for the younger ones and performances.
- The Christmas Market (organised by Scìe Eventi) in the 𝗣𝗶𝗮𝘇𝘇𝗮 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗮̀ from 𝟮𝟰 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗯er to 𝟮𝟵 December. An ideal opportunity to soak up the magical festive atmosphere and to discover the finest products handcrafted in Sicily. And, also, creative 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽s, artistic performances, live music and entertainment for adults and children.
A trip to the theatre for the Cirque du Soleil Christmas Gala
Following last year’s success, Cirque du Soleil is coming to Catania again, with a fantastic Christmas show at the Teatro Metropolitan from 21 to 23 December 2023. The top Cirque du Soleil performers from all over the world will be displaying their artistry in four performances of the new show TILT.
Enjoy a Bridgerton-style Christmas at Palazzo Biscari
If you’re a fan of Bridgerton-style stately homes, then don’t miss the Magico Natale event on 17/18/19 December at Palazzo Biscari in Catania. A gift market fair with lots of surprises in store for Christmas lovers, of course, but with an added touch of elegance.
Palazzo Biscari is actually one of the most important private palaces in Catania, with frescoed halls full of charm and elegance. One of the city’s most important examples of Baroque architecture.
Visit the Nativity scene in the cave at Acireale
If you like a Nativity scene, then visiting this one is an absolute must. It’s incredibly charming, as it’s set inside a volcanic cave.
Just a few kilometres outside of Catania, in the village of Santa Maria la Scala (Acireale), there’s a small church called Santa Maria della Neve, known locally as “A Rutta” (the cave). This little church houses Acireale’s 18th century Nativity scene. The volcanic cave is very reminiscent of the Bethlehem Cave, and so in 1741 a priest decided to set up a life-size Nativity scene inside it.
Have fun in the snow on Mount Etna
Can you really ski in Sicily? Does it really snow there? It may seem strange but the answer is yes! And what’s more, not only can you ski on the slopes, but while doing it you can look down at the sea from Europe’s highest active volcano!
The best pistes on Etna are on the north side of the volcano, in the area of Piano Provenzana.
The ski slopes in Piano Provenzana are equipped with three ski lifts, serving four red runs and two blue runs. The ski resort has restaurants, refuges where you can also stay overnight, and shops where you can hire snow and ski equipment.
N.B.: the ski slopes may not necessarily be open in time for Christmas, so please check this website.
Non-skiers can also spend a day in the snow by starting in Nicolosi and then making their way to the Rifugio Sapienza. This refuge offers catering services and treks for you to enjoy a wonderful winter day, even in Sicily.
In Nicolosi there’s also a shop where it’s Christmas all year round! The Christmas shop is called ”L’Antico e il Nuovo”, and sells all kinds of gift ideas and decorations for a fairytale Christmas.
Visit the Nativity scenes in Caltagirone
The Caltagirone Nativity Scenes are famous throughout Italy for their special nature and beauty. They can be visited this year from 1 December 2023 until 8 January 2024. The 30 Artistic Nativity Scenes of Caltagirone depict scenes from everyday rural life.
They are generally made from a whole range of different materials such as salt, lava stone from Etna, pasta and also cotton, marble, aluminium foil, and even cross-stitch embroidery.
The town’s streets are festively dressed and are bustling with markets, tastings of local products and museums. A unique opportunity to discover this magical atmosphere and treat someone (or yourself) to a lovely ceramic gift from Caltagirone.
For more information on the Caltagirone Nativity Scenes, visit the official website.
The question now is: do you still think that Catania isn’t worth visiting at Christmas? I hope I’ve opened your eyes and you add it to your wish list! All you need to do now is book your flight with Volotea and come and enjoy the Christmas season in and around Catania!
