Christmas Events for Kids in Bologna (2026)

Christmas Events for Kids
Written by Kelsey Cecil

8 min read · Leggi in italiano

For 2026, we confirmed 12 Christmas events for kids in Bologna. The season opens on November 6 with Antica Fiera di Santa Lucia (Old Santa Lucia Fair) and runs until January 6 with Re Magi a Dozza (Three Kings in Dozza). Of these, 3 are free. Every listing links straight to the host. This page is part of our guide to Christmas events for kids in Italy.

The short version

  • Kids’ Christmas events confirmed for 2026 in Bologna, Dozza, Anzola dell'Emilia and Castel San Pietro Terme: 12
  • First: Antica Fiera di Santa Lucia (Old Santa Lucia Fair), Bologna, November 6
  • Free events: Antica Fiera di Santa Lucia (Old Santa Lucia Fair), Natale a Porta Galliera (Christmas at Porta Galliera) and Fiera dell'Epifania (Epiphany Fair)

Below is every event we could confirm, grouped by town, with the date, time, cost and the small things parents ask about (registration, ages, what is included).

At a glance: Christmas events for kids in Bologna

Kids’ Christmas events
12 confirmed for 2026
Towns
Bologna, Dozza, Anzola dell'Emilia and Castel San Pietro Terme
Season
November 6 to January 6
Free events
3
Last checked

Free 3Ticketed and paid 9

Free Christmas events for kids in Bologna

Christmas marketFree

Antica Fiera di Santa Lucia (Old Santa Lucia Fair)

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The Fiera di Santa Lucia is the oldest Christmas event in Bologna and in Emilia-Romagna, with roots in the late 1500s. It takes place under the monumental portico of the Basilica di Santa Maria dei Servi on Strada Maggiore, part of the UNESCO-listed porticoes, and for centuries it has marked the start of the Christmas season in the city.

For many Bolognese families it is the stop for choosing, together with the kids, the figurines for the nativity scene (presepe): among the stalls you also find decorations, handmade candles, nougat (torrone), mistocchine (local sweets) and other treats. The portico shelters you from cold and rain, so you can stroll at ease even with a stroller.

Parent tip: Weekday mornings are the least crowded; it is best to arrive on foot or by public transit, or park at Staveco, Tanari or VIII Agosto.

Host
Bologna Welcome (opens in a new tab)
Where
Portico of the Basilica di Santa Maria dei Servi, Strada Maggiore, 40125 Bologna (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Bologna Welcome (opens in a new tab)

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Rally’s Christmas research

Rally the corgi has 11 more Bologna events researched for you.

  • New events every week We research new events daily and send you one email a week with the new ones we find in Bologna.
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Coming up on this page

  • 4 Shows
  • 4 Crafts
  • 4 Markets
  • 2 Zoos and museums
  • 3 Free

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Christmas marketFree

Natale a Porta Galliera (Christmas at Porta Galliera)

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Throughout the holiday season Piazza XX Settembre, at the foot of Porta Galliera, comes alive with a Christmas market: stalls of clothing and accessories, gift ideas and more, in a spot that is handy if you are arriving or leaving by the nearby train and bus stations.

For kids there is a small carousel, which makes a stop more pleasant between errands. It is not a themed village with a show program, but it is an easy stop to combine with a walk toward the center or to the Parco della Montagnola, right next door. The market is open every day from 8 am to 8 pm through Epiphany (Epifania, Jan 6).

Parent tip: Handy if you arrive by train or bus: the square is a few steps from the central station and the bus station.

Host
Bologna Welcome (opens in a new tab)
Where
Piazza XX Settembre, 40121 Bologna (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Bologna Welcome (opens in a new tab)

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Christmas marketFree

Fiera dell'Epifania (Epiphany Fair)

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For grown-ups and kids alike, the arrival of the Befana, the kindly witch who brings gifts on January 6, is always a big event, and in Bologna it is celebrated with the Fiera dell'Epifania, which in the last days of the holidays fills the main streets of the center with stalls: Via Indipendenza, Via Rizzoli and Via Ugo Bassi.

It is the classic end-of-holidays outing for a family stroll under the porticoes, perhaps to look for a little treat to put in the stocking. The fair is outdoors and free, in the heart of the city and a few steps from Piazza Maggiore and the Two Towers, so it combines easily with a day in the center with kids.

Parent tip: In the center it is best to get around on foot or by public transit; the most convenient parking lots listed by Bologna Welcome are Staveco, Tanari and VIII Agosto.

Host
Bologna Welcome (opens in a new tab)
Where
Via Indipendenza, Via Rizzoli and Via Ugo Bassi, Via dell’Indipendenza, via Rizzoli e via Ugo Bassi, 40121 Bologna (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Bologna Welcome (opens in a new tab)

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Ticketed and paid Christmas events for kids in Bologna

Admission, tickets or a fee apply. Where a host has not posted a price yet, the listing says so.

The #1 spot Event hosts: free events are listed first. One featured spot puts your event at the very top of this page.Ask about the #1 spot

Christmas show

Mamma... l'aereo! (Mom... the Plane!)

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A few days before Christmas a typical American family is ready to leave for the holidays, but because of an alarm clock that does not ring the youngest is forgotten at home. Left alone, he will have to get by on his wits, especially when two rather clumsy burglars knock at the door.

The company Un Teatro da Favola, directed by Pietro Clementi and with Daniele Trombetti and Daniele Locci on stage, adapts a much-loved classic, weaving together irony, laughs and emotion. The theater presents it as a show that makes grown-ups and kids dream and laugh in an explosion of Christmas magic. Two performances on the Immaculate Conception holiday, handy for the youngest too.

Parent tip: The theater box office is open Tuesday to Saturday, 4 to 7 pm (051 4399123); online on Vivaticket or TicketOne. Expect it to be in Italian.

Host
Teatro Celebrazioni (opens in a new tab)
Where
Teatro Celebrazioni, Via Saragozza 234, 40135 Bologna (opens in maps)
Registration
Recommended
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Teatro Celebrazioni (opens in a new tab)

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Christmas show

A Christmas Carol. Il Musical

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London, Christmas Eve 1843: the old moneylender Ebenezer Scrooge hates the holidays, until the ghost of his partner Jacob Marley announces the visit of three spirits, those of Christmas past, present and future. Through flashbacks and premonitions Scrooge wakes up changed and for the first time spends Christmas with his nephew Fred and his family.

The version at the Duse uses music by Alan Menken, directed by Fabrizio Angelini with Roberto Ciufoli in the cast, and is presented as the theater's Christmas musical after the success of past seasons. It runs an hour and a half with no intermission, a format that is manageable for kids too. The theater offers a discount for audience members under 10.

Parent tip: Runs 90 minutes with no intermission; tickets on TicketOne or at the theater box office (051 231836). The show is not included in the DUSElibero subscription. Expect it to be in Italian.

Host
Teatro Duse (opens in a new tab)
Where
Teatro Duse, Via Cartoleria 42, 40124 Bologna (opens in maps)
Registration
Recommended
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Teatro Duse (opens in a new tab)

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Christmas crafts

Un Natale speziato! (A Spicy Christmas)

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The warmth of the holidays would not be the same without the color of oranges and mandarins, the taste of hot chocolate and gingerbread cookies, the scent of cinnamon and cloves. In this workshop kids discover how far these ingredients have traveled, from distant places to the Christmas table, and after visiting the museum they try a spice-themed activity.

The workshop is limited to 6 participants at most and is reserved for kids ages 6 and 7 without accompanying adults. On Dec 20, at the same time, parents can follow the guided visit of the Museo di Palazzo Poggi by buying the relevant ticket.

Parent tip: There are only 6 spots per session: buy online from the SMA page. On Dec 20 you can take the adult guided visit at the same time.

Host
Sistema Museale di Ateneo, University of Bologna (opens in a new tab)
Where
Museo di Palazzo Poggi, Via Zamboni 33, 40126 Bologna (opens in maps)
Registration
Required
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Sistema Museale di Ateneo, University of Bologna (opens in a new tab)

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Christmas show

Lo schiaccianoci 2026 (The Nutcracker 2026)

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The Nutcracker, inspired by Hoffmann's tale and Tchaikovsky's music, begins at a Christmas party in a middle-class home, among games and family relationships. The gift of the nutcracker from the mysterious Drosselmeyer opens a dream world to Clara, where objects come to life, and the second act is a grand suite of dances in the Kingdom of Sweets.

On stage is the International Classical Ballet company, with choreography by Marius Petipa. The theater describes it as a ballet able to captivate children and adults. The show lasts two hours with an intermission, so the 4 pm performance is best for the youngest. Besides full and reduced prices there is a Mini rate.

Parent tip: For kids, choose the 4 pm afternoon performance; it runs 2 hours with an intermission.

Host
Teatro Duse (opens in a new tab)
Where
Teatro Duse, Via Cartoleria 42, 40124 Bologna (opens in maps)
Registration
Recommended
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Teatro Duse (opens in a new tab)

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Christmas show

Lo Schiaccianoci (The Nutcracker)

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After a career on the most prestigious stages, from the Teatro dell'Opera di Roma to the great European theaters, Luigi Martelletta presents his version of The Nutcracker with the Compagnia Almatanz, set to Tchaikovsky's music and based on Hoffmann's tale. The choreography uses a neoclassical language meant to speak to today's audience.

The theater presents it as a show that offers adults a precious memory and teens a message of hope. The 5 pm performance is the better pick if you are going with kids, on the last day before the Befana (the kindly witch who brings gifts on January 6). The €25 reduced ticket is for under 18.

Parent tip: Pick the 5 pm performance; the Dehon box office is open Tuesday to Saturday, 3 to 7 pm (051 342934). Expect it to be in Italian.

Host
Teatro Dehon (opens in a new tab)
Where
Teatro Dehon, Via Libia 59, 40138 Bologna (opens in maps)
Registration
Recommended
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Teatro Dehon (opens in a new tab)

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Christmas events for kids in Dozza

Christmas crafts

Bimbi al Museo, Auguri dal drago (Kids at the Museum: Greetings from the Dragon) (Dozza)

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In the Bimbi al Museo series, the Rocca di Dozza devotes an afternoon to Christmas. Fyrstan, the Rocca's dragon, is getting ready for the holidays too, and kids are invited to join "Auguri dal drago" (Greetings from the Dragon), a creative workshop where together they make a Christmas decoration to take home.

It takes place on Sun, Dec 13, 2026 at 3 pm and lasts about an hour. It is made for kids ages 5 and up and is a way to bring them closer to the museum through a hands-on activity, in a medieval village that is easy to visit as a family.

Parent tip: Booking is required, by writing to rocca@comune.dozza.bo.it or calling 0542 678240. Expect it to be in Italian.

Host
Fondazione Dozza Città d'Arte (opens in a new tab)
Where
Museo Rocca di Dozza, Piazza Rocca, 40060 Dozza (opens in maps)
Registration
Required
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Fondazione Dozza Città d'Arte (opens in a new tab)

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Santa Claus parade

Re Magi a Dozza (Three Kings in Dozza)

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On Jan 6, 2027, at 3 pm, the streets of the medieval village of Dozza host the 37th edition of Re Magi a Dozza (Three Kings in Dozza). A costume procession starts from the Chiesa di San Lorenzo, crosses the historic center and arrives in Piazza Zotti, where the scenes of the Nativity and the Magi's homage to the Baby Jesus are reenacted.

The event is organized by the Circolo MCL Sabbioso and involves grown-ups and kids, with sweet gifts for the children. It takes place outdoors, along the village streets, which are also easy to walk with strollers.

Parent tip: The event is outdoors in the middle of winter: bundle the kids up. For the cost, check with the organizer.

Host
Circolo MCL Sabbioso, Fondazione Dozza Città d'Arte (opens in a new tab)
Where
Historic center of Dozza, Piazza Zotti, 40060 Dozza (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Circolo MCL Sabbioso, Fondazione Dozza Città d'Arte (opens in a new tab)

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Christmas events for kids in Anzola dell'Emilia

Christmas crafts

La Magia del Natale a Sinflora (The Magic of Christmas at Sinflora) (Anzola dell'Emilia)

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In the Christmas Village at Sinflora Garden, in Anzola dell'Emilia, November is devoted to kids with four themed creative workshops: gingerbread slime (Nov 7), the magic snow jar (Nov 14), the wish ball (Nov 28) and the 3D Christmas tree (Nov 29). Sessions start every hour at 11, 12, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, with 20 to 25 kids at most.

On Sundays, Nov 15 and 22, there are instead two family shows, Radio Elph and The Frozen Show, at 11 am, 3 pm and 5 pm. Workshops cost €8 for kids and €4 for adults, shows €8 for kids and €10 for adults, and in every case village admission is included.

Parent tip: Online booking is required: show up with the coupon you receive. The minimum age for workshops is 3.

Host
Feshion Eventi (opens in a new tab)
Where
Sinflora Garden, Christmas Village, Via Emilia 305/b, 40011 Anzola dell'Emilia (opens in maps)
Registration
Required
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Feshion Eventi (opens in a new tab)

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Christmas events for kids in Castel San Pietro Terme

Christmas crafts

CastèlaNadèl, Christmas in Castel San Pietro Terme

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CastèlaNadèl, which in dialect means "Castle at Christmas," runs in Castel San Pietro Terme from Nov 29 to Jan 6. The historic center becomes an open-air living room with markets, entertainment and a calendar of events meant to involve grown-ups and kids, including days devoted to families.

An important space goes to nativity scenes (presepi), set up in churches, sanctuaries, gardens and hamlets of the area, which you can discover by strolling along a trail through nativity art and local traditions. For dates and times of the individual events for kids, it is worth checking the town's website as the program is published.

Parent tip: The detailed kids' program has to be checked on the town's website, because the listing gives only the general period.

Host
Comune di Castel San Pietro Terme (opens in a new tab)
Where
Historic center of Castel San Pietro Terme, 40024 Castel San Pietro Terme (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Comune di Castel San Pietro Terme (opens in a new tab)

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More Christmas events for kids in Italy

A story for the trip home

Our picture book follows Rally the corgi on his first train ride to see his grand-paw-rents. It is a cozy story to share on the way home after a big day out.

Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolour corgi peeking from a red train

A bedtime story after seeing SantaRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi’s first train ride, hand-painted in real watercolor. Ages 0 to 8.

Buy on Amazon.it (opens in a new tab)

Christmas events for kids in Bologna: questions parents ask

What are the 2026 Christmas events for kids in Bologna?

For 2026, we confirmed 12 Christmas events for kids in Bologna, each on its host’s own page: A Christmas Carol. Il Musical, Antica Fiera di Santa Lucia (Old Santa Lucia Fair), Mamma... l'aereo! (Mom... the Plane!) and 9 more. Each one is listed above with times, cost and a link to the host.

Are there free Christmas events for kids in Bologna?

Yes, 3 of the 12 events here are free: Antica Fiera di Santa Lucia (Old Santa Lucia Fair), Fiera dell'Epifania (Epiphany Fair) and Natale a Porta Galliera (Christmas at Porta Galliera). Some free events still ask you to register, so check each listing.

How do you confirm these events?

We list an event only after we find this season’s date on the host’s own website or an official city, library or tourism calendar. We last checked every listing on November 9, 2026. Hosts change details, so always confirm on the host’s page before you go.

Event names belong to their hosts. Rally Takes the Train is a family picture book and is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by any host listed here. Confirm dates, times and prices on each host’s own site before you go.

The story of Christmas in Bologna

In Bologna, Christmas begins under an arcade. For centuries the stalls of the Santa Lucia fair have lined Strada Maggiore in front of the Basilica of the Servi, and the year ends in Piazza Maggiore, where a giant puppet called the Vecchione is burned at midnight on December 31. For a visiting family, the season means free fairs you can stroll in the rain, theater matinees and a few day trips to nearby villages.

How Bologna celebrates Christmas, and what makes it different

Bologna is a city of covered walkways, and its oldest Christmas tradition happens under one. The Antica Fiera di Santa Lucia is a fair of stalls selling nativity figurines, handmade candles, nougat and sweets, set under the long Gothic portico of the Basilica of Santa Maria dei Servi on Strada Maggiore. The porticoes of Bologna are recognized by UNESCO.

The roots go back to the late 1500s, when Pope Gregory XIII gave the Bologna diocese a relic of Saint Lucy. The Jesuits built a church on via Castiglione to keep it, and the first stalls of holy pictures and sweets appeared on its steps. The fair stopped in the Napoleonic era, restarted when the Papal State returned and moved under the Servi portico. For a visiting family, that portico is a practical bonus: the stalls are covered, so a rainy day does not cancel the outing.

What a child will meet: the Vecchione, a sleeping figurine and a monk's cake

The Vecchione, which means Big Old Man, is a papier-mâché puppet burned in Piazza Maggiore at midnight on New Year's Eve to say goodbye to the old year. The midnight burning goes back to 1922 or 1923. In the 1800s the Vecchione was burned at Carnival instead. In leap years it takes a female form: in 2024 it was a pink phoenix with silver hair and wings that really opened. On December 31, 2025, it was a creature called the Gremlin Oviparo, made of branches and heather by the artist DEM, with a red egg in its chest.

Bologna has a Christmas sweet of its own, the certosino. In the Middle Ages it was made by apothecaries and called panspeziale, then it passed to Carthusian monks, who gave it their name. In the 1700s, Bolognese nativity scenes included a figure called the dormiglione, the sleeper.

The Befana, the Epiphany gift bringer, comes on January 6, and the Befana fair fills the main streets of the center from January 2 to 6.

Planning a Christmas visit to Bologna with kids

This page lists the confirmed events from early November to early January. The Santa Lucia fair opens on November 6 and runs until December 27, daily from about 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. The Christmas market at Porta Galliera runs from November 19 to January 6, 2027, and the Befana fair runs from January 2 to 6, 2027. All three are free.

The rest are mostly theater and workshops. At Teatro Duse there is A Christmas Carol, the musical, on December 19 and 20, and The Nutcracker on December 27. At Teatro Celebrazioni a family comedy based on the Home Alone story plays on December 8. A spice workshop for ages 6 to 7 at Palazzo Poggi runs on December 20 and 26, and another Nutcracker plays at Teatro Dehon on January 5, 2027.

Outside the city, there are Christmas workshops at Sinflora Garden in November, a dragon-themed craft workshop in Dozza on December 13 and a costumed Epiphany procession in Dozza on January 6, 2027. Most events are in Italian, so check with the host if language matters.

A fun story: a fir tree that came from a different forest

In 2025 the big tree in Piazza del Nettuno did not come from Lizzano in Belvedere, which usually donates it, because road works blocked the transport. It came from Pian di Setta, in Grizzana Morandi, where an apartment building had to cut it down. The white fir was about 20 meters tall, and Mayor Matteo Lepore lit it on November 29. That evening the Asinelli Tower glowed in color on all four sides, for the seventh year in a row.

Traditions today

  • Antica Fiera di Santa Lucia: Stalls of nativity figurines, candles, nougat and mistocchine sweets under the Servi portico on Strada Maggiore. This season it is open from November 6 to December 27.
  • The tree in Piazza del Nettuno: A big fir tree, usually donated by Lizzano in Belvedere in the Apennines. In 2025 it was a white fir about 20 meters tall.
  • The lit-up Asinelli Tower: Colorful LED lights on all four sides of the tower, switched on at the end of November and left on until January 7.
  • The burning of the Vecchione: On New Year's Eve in Piazza Maggiore, a giant puppet is burned to say goodbye to the old year. In recent years it has been designed by artists such as Fumettibrutti and DEM.
  • The certosino: Bologna's Christmas cake, also called panspeziale, born in the shops of apothecaries and later made by Carthusian monks.
  • Bolognese nativity figurines: Painted terracotta figures from the 1700s and 1800s: shepherds, bagpipers, peasant women and the sleeper.

A fact for kids

On the last night of the year, Bologna burns a giant puppet called the Vecchione in the main square. And in leap years, the Vecchione becomes a lady.

Questions about Christmas in Bologna

Is Bologna worth visiting at Christmas with kids?

Yes, especially if you like fairs, sweets and a little theater. Bologna has free Christmas fairs, a covered portico where you can browse in any weather and a lit-up tower. This page also lists musicals, ballets and workshops through early January.

When does the Santa Lucia fair open in Bologna?

The Antica Fiera di Santa Lucia opens on November 6 and runs every day until December 27, from about 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. It is held under the portico of the Basilica of Santa Maria dei Servi on Strada Maggiore. Entry is free, and since the stalls are under the portico, you can browse in the rain.

When are the Christmas markets in Bologna?

Three are free on this page. The Santa Lucia fair runs from November 6 to December 27, the Christmas market at Porta Galliera in Piazza XX Settembre runs from November 19 to January 6, 2027 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and the Befana fair runs from January 2 to 6, 2027. Porta Galliera has gift stalls and a small carousel for little ones.

Are there free Christmas events in Bologna?

Yes, three. The Santa Lucia fair, the Porta Galliera market and the Epiphany fair along via Indipendenza, via Rizzoli and via Ugo Bassi are all free to enter. The theater shows, workshops and the Sinflora village are ticketed or priced separately.

When is the Epiphany fair in Bologna?

The Fiera dell'Epifania runs from January 2 to 6, 2027, along via Indipendenza, via Rizzoli and via Ugo Bassi in the city center. It is free to walk through. It is a nice way to extend the holiday mood after New Year.

What is the Befana?

The Befana is the gift bringer of Epiphany, on January 6. Bologna celebrates the season's end with the Befana fair on the main streets of the center from January 2 to 6. In Dozza, nearby, a costumed Epiphany procession with a Nativity reenactment and small treats for children takes place on January 6, 2027, at 3 p.m.

Where can kids meet Santa in Bologna?

This page does not list a Santa meet-and-greet in Bologna itself. The nearest Christmas-village option is Sinflora Garden in Anzola dell'Emilia, which runs craft workshops and family shows on selected November days. Check with the host to see who appears.

Are Christmas events in Bologna in English?

Most events here are in Italian, since they are local theater shows, workshops and fairs. The Nutcracker ballet is danced and the fairs need no language at all, so those are easy for visitors. For workshops and plays, check with the host.

Why is the Santa Lucia fair held under the Servi portico?

The fair moved there after the Napoleonic era, when it restarted with the return of the Papal State. At first the stalls stood on the steps of the church of Saint Lucy on via Castiglione. The portico of the Basilica of Santa Maria dei Servi is long, Gothic and part of the porticoes of Bologna recognized by UNESCO.

How old is the Santa Lucia fair in Bologna?

Its roots go back to the late 1500s. Pope Gregory XIII gave the Bologna diocese a relic of Saint Lucy, the Jesuits built a church on via Castiglione to keep it, and the first stalls of holy pictures and sweets appeared on its steps. That is more than four centuries of Christmas stalls in the city.

Has the Santa Lucia fair ever stopped?

Yes, once. In the Napoleonic era the fair was suspended and only restarted when the Papal State returned. Since then it has been held under the Servi portico. In 2013 the stalls got new display structures to make room for local craftspeople.

What can you buy at the Santa Lucia fair?

Mostly nativity figurines and Christmas decorations, then handmade candles, nougat, mistocchine and other sweets, plus gifts and crafts. For kids it is the right place to pick a new figurine to add to the nativity scene at home.

What is the Vecchione of Bologna?

It is a big puppet burned in Piazza Maggiore on New Year's Eve to say goodbye to the old year. Traditionally it is an old man made of papier-mâché, but in recent years different artists have designed it, such as Fumettibrutti and DEM. In leap years it takes a female form, like the pink phoenix of 2024.

Since when is the Vecchione burned at midnight in Piazza Maggiore?

Since 1922 or 1923, when it was first burned in Piazza Maggiore on New Year's Eve. Before that, in the 1800s, the Vecchione was burned at Carnival. Today the burning is the last event of the year in the city, when Bolognese gather in the square to say goodbye to the old year.

Why is the Vecchione a woman in leap years?

It is a rule of the Bolognese tradition: in leap years the Vecchione takes a female form. In 2024, a leap year, it was a pink phoenix with silver hair and big manga-style eyes, designed by Fumettibrutti. It was also the first Vecchione that moved, with wings that opened by a mechanism.

What did the Vecchione look like on December 31, 2025?

It was called Gremlin Oviparo and was made by the artist DEM, Marco Barbieri. It was made of branches, heather and natural materials, with big bat-like ears and a nest-shaped chest holding a red egg. It stood for the evil to let go. For kids it is a curious creature, half monster and half bird.

How do you explain the Vecchione to small children?

You can say the Vecchione is the tired old year going away: burning it says goodbye to the bad things and makes room for the new year. In 2025 the artist put a red egg in the chest of the puppet to collect the bad and leave it to the fire. Kids like to find out each year what face it will have.

How tall was the Christmas tree in Piazza del Nettuno in 2025?

About 20 meters, with a crown about 7 meters wide. It was a white fir from Pian di Setta, in the municipality of Grizzana Morandi, because road works blocked the usual donation from Lizzano in Belvedere. It arrived at dawn on November 25 and was lit on the 29th.

How long is the Asinelli Tower lit up at Christmas?

In 2025 the tower lit up for the seventh year in a row, on all four sides and its full height. The low-energy LED lights change color slowly and stay on until January 7. The project is called Luci e colori per la Torre degli Asinelli and is by Confcommercio Ascom Bologna.

Why is the Bolognese certosino cake called that?

In the Middle Ages this cake was made by apothecaries, so it was called panspeziale. Then the recipe passed to the Carthusian monks, who made it so well that it took their name. Today Bologna Welcome still calls it the Bolognese Christmas cake par excellence.

What is the dormiglione in Bolognese nativity scenes?

It is a sleeping figurine, one of the typical figures of old Bolognese nativity scenes, made of painted terracotta in the 1700s and 1800s. Beside it stand shepherds, craftspeople, peasants, housewives, angels and bagpipers. With kids you can play a game of finding it: it is always the one who has not noticed anything.

What can kids do in Bologna besides the fairs?

On December 20 and 26 the Palazzo Poggi museum runs a Christmas spice workshop for ages 6 to 7, for 6 euros per child with booking. A Christmas Carol, the musical, plays at Teatro Duse on December 19 and 20, with an under-10 discount. A family comedy based on the Home Alone story is at Teatro Celebrazioni on December 8.

Is there a Nutcracker in Bologna this Christmas?

Yes, two. Teatro Duse hosts the ballet by International Classical Ballet on December 27 at 4 p.m. and 9 p.m., with a Mini rate for the youngest. Teatro Dehon has another one by Compagnia Almatanz on January 5, 2027, at 5 p.m. and 9 p.m., for 29 euros or 25 euros for under 18, plus a 3 euro presale fee.

What day trips can we take from Bologna at Christmas?

In Dozza, children can make a decoration at the castle museum on December 13 at 3 p.m., and on January 6, 2027 a costumed Epiphany procession winds through the medieval village. Castel San Pietro Terme runs CastèlaNadèl from November 29 to January 6, with markets, entertainment, family events and a trail of nativity scenes. In November, Sinflora Garden in Anzola dell'Emilia has a Christmas village with workshops and shows.

Sources

  1. Fiera di Santa Lucia: origini storiche, Bologna Welcome
  2. Foto: l'albero di Natale di Bologna, Dire
  3. Natale 2025, albero e luminarie alla Torre degli Asinelli, il Resto del Carlino
  4. Vecchione 2026, il Resto del Carlino
  5. Come sarà il Vecchione 2025, il Resto del Carlino
  6. Statuette. Presepi storici della tradizione bolognese, Bologna Welcome
  7. Dolci natalizi della tradizione bolognese, Bologna Welcome
Kelsey Cecil
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