The magic of the winter season is in the air. Get ready to discover the most beautiful Christmas markets in Apulia. Live them to the fullest.
Once again this year, the approach of the month of December awakens in each of us the desire to celebrate the holiday season in the best possible way, perhaps with a short trip or relocation to one of the countless fascinating places in Italy. Among the hottest trends of recent times, a visit to the Christmas markets in Apulia represents a great opportunity to celebrate the arrival of the New Year in the best possible way. The approach of the day of the Nativity sets in motion a great number of initiatives and transformations of cities and small towns: municipalities in Apulia are rushing to start the organizational machine to better welcome an ever-increasing number of tourists and visitors. Among these activities, the presence of the Christmas markets in Apulia is always a guarantee of success that never ceases to surprise and delight everyone.
Apulia is world renowned for its cultural, artistic and natural wonders. With its enormous variety of landscapes, extraordinary richness in food and wine, and respectable historical itinerary, this region is steadily increasing its appeal among both Italian and foreign tourists. In the Christmas season then, by the presence of the Christmas markets in Apulia, the cities and villages are as good as one could wish to capture in a very short period all the essence and richness it can give us. The tradition of Christmas markets in Apulia will take you to understand in a very short time how this land can give its visitors one of the best winter travel experiences in all of Italy.
The most beautiful and fascinating Christmas markets in Apulia
Visit Italy highly recommends you to choose Apulia as your next travel destination for the Christmas season. The turning on of the lights and decorations, the stalls with products in full view and the people in turmoil make us want to go in search of gifts to place under the tree, buy handcrafted items to decorate our homes or simply enjoy life while savoring the goodness of the typical cuisine of our favorite places. And what could be better than popping into the many Christmas markets in Apulia to satisfy this great passion of ours?
It takes very little to experience with your family a few days surrounded by the artistic beauty and warmth of the locals, savoring the typical products of Apulian gastronomy and enjoying the beauty of southern Italy.
It is no coincidence that the trend of Christmas markets in Apulia for the winter vacations is increasingly popular among travelers' searches, who wish to visit this beautiful region during the end-of-year festive season. With our portal we want to provide you with constant and detailed travel advice so that you can plan your Christmas trip in the best possible way. So we wish you a good reading to discover the most beautiful Christmas markets in Apulia!
5. Christmas Markets in Apulia: Santa Claus's VIllage in Bari
The capital of Apulia is preparing to charm you during the Christmas celebrations by festively decorating its historic center. It is precisely in the "Old Town" that from November 23 to Jan. 6, 2024, the Aspettando il Natale (Waiting for Christmas) fair comes to life, between Corso Vittorio Emanuele and Piazza dell'Economato: a series of handmade craft stalls that will feature various artisans from the south with their fine Christmas-themed artistic works made of different materials.
Bari also has a special relationship with Santa Claus, who is the same St. Nicholas celebrated as the city's patron saint. This is precisely why the other event not to be missed is the Santa Claus Village, which every year gladdens young and old with wonderful atmospheres, twinkling lights and typical foods to savor. According to the official programme, activities include numerous workshops for children and young people, dozens of readings of recited stories, reruns of children's shows and a continuous cycle of entertainment by village staff inside heated indoor facilities. Santa's Village is located in Umberto I Square and will be open to the public from December 8 to January 6, 2024.
From December 6 to Dec. 26, 2023, the area of the usual Christmas markets will be set up on the wall of Via Venezia, with typical northern European charm and thirty delightful little mountain houses. Among the stalls of artisans and shopkeepers, you will be able to shop of all kinds among wax objects, local handicrafts, typical food and wine products and preserves, Christmas sweets, and handmade wooden toys. Nearby, dozens of recreational activities of all kinds will entertain young people, children, and families, with theater performances, workshops, storytelling and readings.
It will be a great opportunity to merrily experience together the tradition of Christmas markets in Apulia. Would you like to explore the neighbourhoods of Bari's historic centre to admire its masterpieces and most evocative corners before heading towards the more modern French-style part? Take advantage of the ticket made available by Visit Italy to undertake an engaging walking or bike tour.
4. The magic of Christmas holidays among the trulli in Alberobello
A symbol of Apulia in Italy and abroad, Alberobello under the end-of-year holidays enchants tourists and locals alike with its festively lit trulli, a true spectacle for the eyes and soul. As night falls, the town's streets take on extraordinary colorations thanks to the Christmas Light: an event made of moving lights, stars, snow crystals, and decorations projected on the roofs of houses, making it a natural immersion in a magical and surreal atmosphere.
The festivities begin with the opening of the ice skating rink as early as November 22, to the delight and enjoyment of adults and children alike. From December 7 until January 6, 2023, the great festival called Christmas Markets among the Trulli will kick off, with grand events filled with music, entertainment, and street performers. Santa Claus will be waiting for visits at his home amid the stalls, receiving little letters and taking photos to the delight of the little ones.
From December 2, the typical Santa Bikers parade will begin: Alberobello will be invaded by very funny Santas riding their motorcycles to bring gifts to children. The Befana, on the other hand, will descend on the town on the evening of Jan. 5, with a square packed with people waiting festively for her.
Among the various Christmas markets in Apulia to choose from, Alberobello certainly represents one of the most desirable and characteristic destinations. Would you like to visit the picturesque trulli districts, traditional and fairy-tale buildings with a unique charm, by participating in an exciting guided tour? Seize this fantastic opportunity by purchasing the ticket offered by Visit Italy.
3. The culinary delights of the Christmas markets in Polignano a Mare
Homeland to the great singer Domenico Modugno, Polignano a Mare will welcome you in the best way during the end-of-year holidays. December 8 is the start date of a major event titled Once Upon a Time at Christmas, which until January 8 will enliven participants with a rich program of musical performances, costumed representations, ballads by storytellers and even a contemporary French-style circus.
While all the Christmas markets in Apulia aim to highlight their typical gastronomy, offering the best delicacies among the festive stalls, Polignano's official program has a real step-by-step itinerary on the calendar so that visitors can go directly to the various taverns and stores in the center.
In this way it will be possible to try a different dish each time: battered cod, roasted chestnuts and mulled wine, orecchiette with sauce, fritters with ricotta forte, almond cakes, broad beans and chicory, puccia with horse chops, Apulian focaccia and many other delicacies. All you have to do is plan your trip and immerse yourself in this world of gastronomic abundance and popular happiness.
Much of the Christmas events will take place in two of the town's main halls, just a few minutes' walk from each other: in the Piazza dell'Orologio the public will be able to attend shows, concerts and cultural events, while an ice skating rink will be set up in the Piazza Aldo Moro for the entire Christmas season. There will be spoiled for choice between entertainment, magical atmospheres and outdoor activities. If you dream of admiring this beautiful location from a marvelous perspective, you can enjoy a magnificent boat tour, which will take you to the most spectacular corners of the bay.
2. The Christmas Fairy Tale in Locorotondo
It is considered one of Italy's most charming villages, nestled in the beautiful Itria Valley between the provinces of Taranto, Bari and Brindisi. Visiting Locorotondo is ideal throughout the year, but particularly during the Christmas season it bursts with a magical vitality that you absolutely should not miss. The yearly Christmas market awaits you in the main streets of the village of Locorotondo. Here you can lose yourself among the stalls without hurry, letting yourself be seduced by the finest craft productions such as handmade items, taking your time shopping and choosing the most beautiful gifts for your loved ones. If Christmas markets in Puglia are your passion, here you will find everything you need to enjoy the end-of-year festivities to the fullest.
Preparations for the Christmas season start as early as November and last until February 21, 2024. Walking around Locorotondo at this time reminds us of fairy-tale feelings, with decorations wonderfully arranged along the balconies of houses, with crystal bows and poinsettias enriching the historic center.
The Christmas Fairy Tale is the name given to this series of as many as 52 events, which again this year will cheer anyone who wants to immerse themselves in a maze of narrow streets, alleys, squares and stalls set up with great care. Among these must-see moments is a visit to the largest nativity scene in Apulia with both statues and real actors, inside a typical masseria in the area with trulli all around.
Also not to be missed is the Night of the Candles, an atmospheric event in which the lights in the historic center will be turned off to illuminate the streets with thousands of candles, in processions reminiscent of northern European traditions dating back to the 16th century. Tourists can also book guided tours at the town's landmarks, including the belvedere over the Itria Valley, the Palazzo Morelli, and the Church of St. George with a living nativity scene inside.
1. The tradition puppet's fair in Lecce's Christmas markets
End-of-year magic will blanket the ancient heart of the city of Lecce with the installation of illuminations and garlands of rare beauty, which return to invade the historic center. In particular, a magnificent 15-meter Christmas tree in Piazza Sant'Oronzo will indicate to visitors the start of the route through the ancient streets, in search of the most beautiful Christmas markets in Puglia, of which Lecce is a notable example.
Once again this year, Piazza Mazzini will be the center of Christmas celebrations, with the traditional toy fair that will make you want to buy gifts and quality handicrafts. Strolling among the little wooden houses will make you relive that long-awaited feeling of euphoria throughout the year, where you can enjoy the magical atmosphere and the most intense colors, perhaps tasting the delicacies of typical Apulian cuisine together with your loved ones. A wonderful horse carousel will help you evoke the enchantment of yesteryear.
In between markets you will also find the traditional so-called "fair of the puppets," with the workshops of local artisans who will display their Christmas creations made of papier-mâché: figures of the nativity, shepherds, women washing clothes, animals, little houses and nativity decorations.
The best Christmas markets in Apulia
Best Christmas markets in Puglia: knowing them is important to know how to choose our next travel destination.
· Bari Christmas Market: a dive into the world of St. Nicholas with the Santa Claus Village, in the middle of Bari Vecchia with a great offer of shows, concerts, playful events in a magical and dreamy atmosphere.
· Alberobello Christmas Market: the enchantment of the illuminations on the trulli with the Christmas Light, the famous Santa Bikers among the streets of the city and the Christmas markets among food and wine, entertainment and street artists.
· Polignano a Mare Christmas Market: the gastronomic itinerary among the taverns of the historic center, the events of Once Upon a Time on Christmas, the ice rink and shows in the main squares of the city.
· Locorotondo Christmas Market: the Christmas Fairy Tale with 52 events, the living nativity scene, the Night of the Candles and guided tours for visitors.
· Lecce Christmas Market: the traditional fair of handcrafted "puppets", the horse carousel and Christmas markets in Mazzini Square, illuminations and the Christmas tree in Sant'Oronzo Square.
