Trento, Christmas city 2016

Trento's Christmas Market is by far one of the most charming scheduled events of the season. Its 23rd edition, taking place from the 19th of November to the 6th of January, is focused on handicraft, tradition and environmental sustainability. Its wooden stalls, placed in Piazza Fiera and in Piazza Cesare Battisti, will provide tourists with brilliant Christmas gift ideas especially handmade by local artisans. Visitors will also enjoy local food and wines in some of the market's stalls.

Starting from the 3rd of December until the 6th of January, Piazza Duomo, the very heart of the ancient town, and its beautiful old buildings will become the stage for amazing Christmas video projections and lights. This choreographic set-up is promoted by Trento-Monte Bondone-Valle dei Laghi tourist board and by Piazza Duomo's shops, bars and restaurants.

From the 19th of November to the 6th of January, Piazza Dante hosts a space designed specially for children called "Villaggio dei Bambini", organized by Flover.  Here, children-fit activities, games and fun workshops will welcome and entertain the kids.

Children, with the help of happy elves, will meet Santa and have the opportunity to give him their Christmas letters and take photos with him.

Ice-skating lovers will enjoy the ice-rink and the littlest ones will ride ponies around the paths of Piazza Dante's park.

Tourists will enjoy a sweet relaxing moment in two small bistrot placed in Piazza Dante. Moreover, on the 1st of January 2017 this square will host the "new-year eve" for children, with games, music and entertainment.

The littlest ones will surely enjoy read aloud fairy tales events organised by the local children's public library located in the Palazzina Liberty, the beautiful liberty building right next to the "Villaggio dei bambini". 

Trento's historical archive organizes "Lo Scrigno Aperto" (The Open Treasure Chest): guided to the historical treasure chest room placed in Via Roma tours (to be booked in advance). Visitors will discover amazing ancient wonders kept for centuries in armoires, chests, and shelves: papers and scroll, illuminated manuscripts and incunables, rare precious editions or simply odd ancient books.

Piazza S. Maria Maggiore, another square in the heart of the centre, will host artistic, musical and wine & food related events from the 3rd December to the 30th of December: Natale del Concilio, promoted and supported by the town association "Rinascita Torre Vanga".

In front of S. Maria Maggiore church, under the illuminated Christmas tree, visitors will admire the art installation of the nativity scene, created by the students of Villazzano's ENAIP and of the Istitituto d'Arte Alessandro Vittoria. In the same sqaure, the windows of the Unicredit Bank will show some art works by local elementary schools created using recycled item

The holiday spirit and atmosphere will be assured by music, ranging from classy jazz, traditional mountain choirs, to marching bands. Taste will have a special corner in Via del Gusto Trentino (a street dedicated to local traditional food). In fact, during the weekends from the 19th of November to the 18th of December, via SS. Trinità, also right in the centre, will host three wooden stalls dedicated to wine and food. Tourist can taste the most famous and loved Trentino's products provided each weekend by different producers and associations.

Starting from November the 25^th to the 30^th of December, Via Garibaldi, one of the streets connecting the two main squares of Trento's Christmas Market, hosts the market of solidarity and volunteering. This special market offers handmade products in order to collect money for charity. This year, thanks to volunteering associations and to the consortium "Trento Iniziative" a charity-lottery is raffling off ten coupon with a value of 50€ to be spent at Casa del Caffè (a city centre coffee and gift shop). Lottery 1€ tickets will be available at the market of solidarity and volunteering. The lottery draw will take place on the 5^th of January 2017 at 4.30 pm in Palazzo Geremia.

From the 26th of November to the 8th of January, Sala Thun (in Torre Mirana) will host the exhibition Delicate Forze, a selection of iron-made works by Luciano and Ivan Zanoni. The art works represent the blending of the plant kingdom with the animal kingdom. Until the 8^th of  January, Vantini Chapel, will host the exhibition of gypsum works by Andrea Malfatti.

Marching bands and majorettes will welcome some historical trains. This year the famous Christmas miniature train will carry its little passengers among city centre's streets and also to Trento's main museums.

Last but not the least, Piazza Duomo will host the countdown and party to new year's eve with live music under the stars.

Source: www.mercatinodinatale.tn.it 

Booklet with the complete programme:
Libretto Trento Città del Natale_2016.pdf 4,90 MB