Where to see the best Christmas lights in Italy in 2023? We at Visit Italy have selected 20 cities you absolutely must visit.
What are the best Christmas lights in Italy? We have selected 20 locations, one per region, of towns and villages, where you can see the most beautiful Christmas lights in Italy. They are an irresistible attraction for those who are, like us, looking for a wonderful feeling. Only Christmas lights, creating a game of augmented reality and visual effects, of great emotional impact, can give this feeling. By Christmas lights in Italy, we mean light installations that go beyond the usual end-of-year lights, but spectacular or symbolic works created by contemporary artists. The latest generation of lights and projectors aims at saving energy thanks to new LED technologies: you can look at these incredible digital art exhibitions and feel at peace with an ecological conscience. In fact, it could be an additional incentive to visit lesser-known art cities or villages with children and young people, even in the low season.
We get to know the artistic Christmas lights cities and towns in Italy, one location per region, that dress up for the Nativity with the help of cards, illuminations and artistic Christmas lights. What do you like about the Christmas festivities? Gifts, atmospheres and... Christmas lights in Italy. Illuminated towns, villages that become small glittering places for the Nativity, houses that glow festively. Christmas lights in Italy make the Christmas festivities magical. And now the Christmas lights in Italy have become a real spectacle. We even dare to speak of Christmas tourism, where the choice of destinations is based on the decorations and the atmosphere created by the municipalities. Right after our guide to the best Christmas Markets in Italy, here is our guide to the most beautiful Christmas lights in Italy in 2023.
Where to see the best Christmas lights in Italy
The streets and squares are dressed in a thousand coloured lights: here are the 20 most beautiful Christmas lights in Italy. From art installations to digital frescoes and the magic of small villages that look like nativity scenes. Cities are once again dressed in light and joy. At Christmas there are more beautiful atmospheres and more lights around than ever before, which brings with it a great desire for serenity. Looking at the Christmas lights in Italy, we browse again among the typical stalls of the Christmas markets, enveloped in the scent of mulled wine, pancakes and cinnamon, but above all the ever-present glow of lights. Here are 20 of the most beautiful Christmas lights in Italy to help you rediscover the magic of the Nativity. The most beautiful Christmas lights in Italy: a complete list of Italian cities where you can see Christmas light, artistic illuminations, light installations, visual postcards and light projects on buildings and monuments.
Christmas is approaching and, like every year, Italy's most beautiful cities are filled with lights, fir trees, garlands and decorations. If, like us, you like to immerse yourself in the Christmas spirit and start singing Christmas carols right at the beginning of December, then you will certainly not be able to resist the temptation to organise Christmas-themed winter trips. Do you like artistic illuminations, light installations, videomapping and Christmas light in Italy? Looking for travel ideas between Christmas and New Year? Here is a list of Italian cities to visit at this time of year to see the most beautiful Christmas lights in Italy. This year, some cities have decided to switch on the lights earlier to cheer up shopping and visiting their streets and squares. Others have renewed the event with an increase in light installations. In any case, the Christmas lights festivities in Italian cities offer an opportunity to meet and rediscover lost sociability with a touch of magic. Visit the Christmas lights in Italy.
20. Illuminations in Italy: Christmas lights already shining in Pescara
In Pescara, Abruzzo, the Christmas lights in Italy have been installed since Monday, 13 November 2023, so that merchants and the city itself can benefit from the magical atmosphere of the festivities. In fact, on 24 November 2023, i.e. exactly one month before Christmas Eve, the lights will be switched on. The lights are therefore already active and waiting to shine with all their charm. You will be able to see them, across Via Cesare Battisti and Via Regina Margherita, but not only. And that's not all: the traditional Christmas tree in Piazza Salotto will be lit this year on 8 December, Immaculate Conception Day.
When: 24 November 2023
19. The Power of Christmas 2023: Christmas lights in Italy
Also in the city of Potenza, in Basilicata, the administration has already focused on the installation of decorative lights. In addition, the 'Potenza del Natale 2023' (Potenza of Christmas 2023) announcement has been published, proposing cultural activities and events to promote tourism in the city. The lights have been placed along Via Pretoria, throughout the centre and in many other streets and squares of the city.
When: from 8 December 2023 to 7 January 2024
18. Christmas lights in Italy: the 'Enchanted Village' of Tropea
Also in Tropea, Calabria, the traditional lighting ceremony of the Christmas village will take place on Saturday 25 November 2023 at 18:00. The 'Enchanted Village' will keep tourists and locals company and happy during the upcoming Christmas festivities. The lighting ceremony will take place as usual in Piazza Ercole. The calendar of events that complete the Christmas offer is set.
When: 25 November 2023 until 6 January 2024
17. Luci d'Artista in Salerno, a must-see
A riot of artistic light installations awaits you when Luci d'Artista returns to Salerno, Campania's most famous city. Salerno's illuminations have always attracted tourists from all over the south. Squares and streets are transformed into little worlds of light, often marine-themed, with flying whales and acrobatic dolphins. Salerno's Christmas lights in Italy were the first in Italy to cross city boundaries and also inhabit the sea with spectacular choreographies.
When: 24 November 2023 to 21 January 2024
16. Forlì shining: Christmas world for Christmas lights in Italy
The city of Forlì, in Emilia Romagna, will come alive with markets, video mapping and Christmas lights in Italy. The event called 'Forlì that shines, the magic of Christmas in the world' also includes shows and travelling attractions, new proposals dedicated to families by the creative team with 'high-impact contents'.
When: 25 November 2023 to 6 January 2024
15. Christmas lights in Italy: Christmas At... Sea
In Lignano Sabbiadoro, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Natale A... Mare with a wonderful and magic edition. In Piazza Fontana you will find a majestic Christmas tree, lights and Christmas music that will immerse you in the magical atmosphere of Christmas.
When: 7 December 2023 to 7 January 2024
14. Tales of light in Gaeta
The sea of Gaeta, in Lazio, shines at Christmas with the seventh edition of 'Favole di luce'. In our journey through the Christmas lights in Italy, let us not forget the small village on the Ulysses Riviera that comes alive during the festive season with poetic Christmas lights. You will find them installed from the coast to the medieval quarter.
When: 11 November 2023 to 15 January 2024
13. Christmas lights in Italy: Chiavari is the first Ligurian city to switch them on
In 2023, the municipality of Chiavari will be the first in Liguria to switch on the Christmas lights in Italy. Squares and streets decorated for the Christmas countdown. A sleigh with reindeer in Piazza N.S. dell'Orto, a star in Piazza Roma, a composition with Father Christmas in the roundabout of Piazzale La Franca, two Christmas balls in Sampierdicanne, a stylised Christmas tree in Piazza Matteotti, in addition to the classic lights.
When: from the weekend of 24-26 November 2023 until Epiphany
12. Trame di Luce in Monza: Christmas lights in Italy
For about 45 days, the garden of the Villa Reale in Monza, Lombardy, will become the stage for Trame di Luce (Plots of Light), a magical journey among installations and light works created by national and international artists immersed in nature. A route more than a kilometre long, including installations and light works by national and international artists. Come create memories to share and cherish forever during the most glorious experience of the year.
When: 18 November 2023 to 7 January 2024
11. Christmas lights in Italy: Candles at Candelara
In a village in the Marche region, at 17:30 and 19:00 all the electric lights are switched off for 15 minutes and only thousands of candles remain lit. If this is not magic... And it can only happen in a little village called Candelara, a village in the Pesaro area, located 7 km from the city centre on a hill overlooking the sea. In the village square there is a market where you can buy candles of all shapes and scents, as well as typical local products. Various forms of entertainment for children, acrobats, nativity scene, elf workshop.
When: 25 and 26 November and 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 16 and 17 December 2023
10. Christmas lights in Italy: the Magic of Lights in Larino
A special event is approaching in Molise, and one of the most beautiful Christmas lights in Italy will be lit in Larino. The pre-sale of subscriptions for the event 'Larino illuminazione - la magia delle luci' has begun.
When: 8, 9, 10, 16, 17, 26, 27, 29 and 30 December 2023 and 1, 5 and 6 January 2024
9. Christmas lights in Italy: Luci d'Artista in Turin
In Turin, Piedmont, the lights of the 25th edition of Luci d'Artista have come on: 25 luminous works are scattered around the city, both in the centre and in the more peripheral districts. It was born as a cultural event to celebrate the Christmas holidays and at the same time create a public collection of contemporary art installations, transforming the city into an open-air museum. All different, all to be discovered: they can also be admired on the panoramic bus, which takes you around the lights at sunset on Saturday and Sunday. An original way of getting to know the city, including its lesser-known parts.
When: 27 October 2023 to 8 January 2024
Don't forget to book your bus tour tickets with us!
8. Luci d'Artista in Polignano a Mare
Polignano a Mare, Apulia, becomes a wonderful Christmas village in a sea of 'artistic lights' and magical reflections.
When: 8 December 2023 to 8 January 2024
Since you are here for the Christmas lights in Italy, make the most of it and take a SUP tour in Polignano a Mare
7. Christmas lights in Italy: in Quartu Sant'Elena they will be lit until dawn
The Christmas lights in Italy are switched on in Quartu Sant'Elena, Sardinia, and you can enjoy them until Epiphany. They last every day until dawn and thanks to LEDs, energy savings are guaranteed. Moreover, switching them off and on again is more expensive. The municipality decided to follow this line already last year, when huge savings on the electricity bill were achieved, because low-energy lights were installed throughout the city.
When: 24 November 2023 to 6 January 2024
6. The lights are switched on and there is already Christmas air in Catania
Catania, Sicily, also has a magical atmosphere with the Christmas tree in Piazza Università and lights in Via Etnea, Piazza Università and Via Garibaldi. This year, more kilometres of Christmas lights will be illuminated in the city's shopping streets than in previous years. Christmas lights in Italy will shine in four areas of the city, come and visit them.
When: 24 November 2023
Since you are in Catania for the Christmas lights in Italy, make the most of it and take a morning jeep tour of Etna
5. Lights and hope in Piazza Grande in Arezzo
The appointment is now in Arezzo, Tuscany, the city of Christmas, which with its light installations decorates the Piazza Grande and the city's most important monuments with light and hope. Spectacular mapping and traditional lights created for the event connect every street in the historic centre, bringing Christmas light to the whole city and offering a new interpretation of the architecture, alleys and squares.
When: 18 November 2023 to 7 January 2024
While you're here for Christmas lights in Italy, discover Arezzo Cathedral and the Diocesan Museum of Sacred Art
4. Colors: the light show in Bressanone
On our Christmas Light Tour 2023, we recommend a stop in Brixen, Trentino South Tyrol, for the seventh light and sound show. In the courtyard of the Hofburg, Colors is staged with incredible light effects, where the audience is accompanied by a colourful hummingbird, ambassador of love, light, hope, peace and brotherhood. In the city of Bressanone in the province of Bolzano, the façade of the bishop's palace becomes the stage for a beautiful Christmas fairytale. "Colors: Tribute to Peace" is a true mapping between music and video: twenty minutes of emotion and enchantment. Once again this year, the lighting effects were created by French artists Spectaculaires. The musical highlights are provided by the Peace Choir, made up of all children from the twin cities of Brixen/Bressanone, conducted by conductor Stephen Lloyd. On the first weekend, the choir will sing live.
When: 24 November 2023 to 7 January 2024.
3. Lights on Lake Trasimeno in Castiglione del Lago
2. Lumières de Noël au Fort de Bard - Christmas lights at Fort de Bard
A great festival of lights called Lumières de Noël au Fort de Bard - Christmas Lights at the Fort Bard, in Val d'Aosta, takes place. The theme of the projections is Naturae Maiestas: the Piazza d'Armi of the fortress is immersed in a sparkling and surreal atmosphere to celebrate the mountain and the animals that inhabit it. A fantastically dreamy mountain reinterpreted thanks to the magic of special video mapping effects projected onto the facades of the square.
When: 8 December 2023 to 7 January 2024
1. Christmas lights in Italy: the magic in St. Mark's Square
When: 21 November 2023 to 7 January 2024
While you're in Venice for the Christmas lights in Italy take a private gondola ride and a romantic dinner
