MARKETS, LIGHTS & EVENTS

Christmas lights

The Christmas activities will officially begin on Friday 29th November in Piazza dei Signori, at 17.30, with the ehibition of a choir of students from the school music departments.

The videomapping

The videomapping show titled "Faber Aura" is scheduled at specific hours of the day and will light up the facades of the palazzos in Piazza dei SIgnori until 6th January 2025:

• from Sunday to Thursday, from 17.15 till 23.00
• Friday and Saturday, from 17.15 till 00.00

Moreover, at the beginning of every hour and every half an hour a videoshow and background music will animate the square for 8 minutes.

“Faber Aura” evokes the essence of craftsmanship as art that permeates the very soul of Vicenza. “Faber” is the artisan, the maker that gives shape to the matter, while “Aura” suggests the atmosphere of beauty and artistry enshrouding the city.
The square set-up will be completed by a natural, 17-metre-tall Christmas tree, decorated with bright, warm LED lights.
The traditional cascade of lights, a must during the Christmas period, will be set up in Piazza delle Erbe, in Corte dei Bissari, in Piazza Biade, Piazza Matteotti, Piazza Castello, Piazza San Lorenzo and in Piazzale De Gasperi. A luminous sphere set in Piazza Matteotti makes it for the perfect location to take Christmas selfies. Light crossings and ground installations will also be placed along the streets, in green areas and roundabouts close to the city centre.

The traditional wooden chalet markets are also returning to the city from 29th November to 1st January with Christmas items, accessories, clothing, regional products and handicrafts.

• The Christmas Village can be found in piazza Biade and in corso Fogazzaro with its characteristic wooden houses. It will be open from Monday to Thursday from 10 to 19, Friday, Saturday and pre-holidays from 10 to 21, on Sunday, 25th December and 1st January from 10 to 20.
• A market in Piazza San Lorenzo will be open on Saturday and Sunday 7th,8th, 21st, 22nd, 28th, 29th December from 10 to 20. Musical and artistic entertainment is provided.
• There will be several themed markets as well organised by different associations: Coldiretti (30th November and 1st December in piazza dei Signori e piazza Biade; 14th and 15th December in piazza San Lorenzo), Associazione Pandora (30th November and 1st, 14th, 15th, 21st, 22nd December in piazza Castello), Come un incantesimo (1st December in the northern side of corso Fogazzaro).
• Unico, the handicrafts market in piazza dei Signori, will take place on 7th December and the Antiques Market in piazza dei Signori and viale Roma, will be held on 8th December, both organized by the association Non ho l'età.
• Santa Claus' Magic Village will be in Piazza Matteotti from 5th till 8th December, promoted by the Consorzio di tutela del Grana Padano.
• Merry Illustri returns inside the Loggia del Capitaniato (Piazza dei Signori) on 14th and 15th December, promoted by the Illustri association, displaying illustrations including those exhibited in the editions of Illustri Festival. The proceeds will be donated to charitable projects.
• Last but not least, the Tritone association will be present in Contra' Garibaldi street on 14th, 15th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 28th and 29th December with an exhibition of traditional Christmas products.
• Two Christmas markets will be held respectively in Borgo Santa Lucia on 15th December and in Santa Bertilla on 14th and 15th December.

"Polar park Vicenza" ice rink

"Polar park Vicenza" will officially open on November 23 at 16.30 and will be available until January 12. Carousels and rides for children can also be found in the same area (Viale Roma).

The ice rink will be open until 20th December and from 7th to 12th January, from Monday to Friday from 15.30 to 21, on Saturday and Sunday from 10 to 22. From 21st December to 6th January it will be open every day from 10 to 22. The last entry will be possible until one hour before closing time. People with disabilities with an accompanying person will be able to skate using a special wheelchair (available free of charge).  OPENING TIMES, PRICES AND INFO HERE 

New Year's Eve and Epiphany

On the night of the 31th December, a party with free of charge access will be held in the historical centre, whereas the Orchestra of the Olympic Theatre will perform at the local Teatro Comunale LINK.

On New Year's Eve, a big event will also be held in Viale Roma. More news on this regard will come in the following weeks.

Le feste si chiuderanno con il Mercato dell'Epifania, il 4, 5 e 6 gennaio dalle 9 alle 19.30 in centro storico, organizzato dall’associazione Non ho l'età. The festive period will end with the Epiphany Market, from 4th to 6th January, from 9 to 19.30, hosted in the city centre and organised by the Non ho l'età association.

Sightseeing train and horse carousel

The electric train "eco express" comes back for yet another cheerful journey along the districts of the historic centre with departure from Largo Zileri, along Corso Palladio.The trip takes 15 minutes and you can see the most important sights and monuments.

The train will be available until 19th December on Saturday, Sunday and holidays from 15 to 19 exclusively; from 20th December to 6th January every day from 15 to 19. It will remain in the historic centre even after the holidays: from 7th January to 28th February will be available on Saturday and Sunday from 15 to 19, from 1st to 4th March every day from 15 to 19.

In Largo Zileri people can find the horse carousel "Antico carosello 1921" during the Christmas period (and until 4th March): active on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from 10.30 to 12.30 and from 15 to 19, weekdays from 15.30 to 19. Closed on Mondays.

OPEN MUSEUMS AND CULTURAL SIGHTS

It is possible to download the chart with the updated opening hours of museums, monuments and palaces during the Christmas period, most useful to organise our visit to our city.

The Tourist information office is located in Piazza Matteotti, 12, open every day from 9 to 17.30 (closed onl on 25th December and 1st January), whereas the Infopoint inside the Palladian Basilica is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10 to 18.

Confirmed extraordinary opening times of the Olympic Theatre and the Civic Museums on the following dates: 8th, 26th and 30th December 2024, 6th January 2025

DOWNLOAD THE CHART WITH THE CHRISTMAS OPENING TIMES OF MUSEUMS AND CULTURAL SIGHTS

The Civic Museums will be closed on the 25th December and 1st January, with the exception of the Basilica Palladiana, which hosts a new temporary exhibition inside the main hall, titled " Capolavori a Vicenza"  LEONARDO DA VINCI - JACOPO BASSANO - GIANANDREA GAZZOLA. More information on the extraordinary opening times of the exhibition on the offical website:  www.mostreinbasilica.it

ONLINE CALENDAR

Acalendar with all Christmas events can also be consulted from your mobile phone by connecting to the event agenda Viva Comune di Vicenza at the following link https://eventi.comune.vicenza.it/Eventi/Natale-a-Vicenza-2024

WHERE TO PARK?

It is advised to park the car in one of the parking lots located close to the non-traffic area of the city centre (see more on the map of the parking lots).

FOTOGALLERY