5 things to do at Christmas in Lunigiana

In a heady mix of traditions, Christmas spirit and tasty flavors, it seems that Santa Claus (here called Babbo Natale) has chosen to spend his holidays in Lunigiana. Young and old alike will be able to meet him in person along with his trusty elves at La Magica Casa di Babbo Natale in Pontremoli, each weekend from November 29, 2025, through to January 6, 2026!

And if you are keen on tasting and buying typical local products, from mid-December the village of Bagnone awaits you with the 3ʳᵈ edition of the Festival del Tartufo e Bagnone Tartufo Walking (December 6–7, 2025), a street food event flavored by truffles and more!

Truly unmissable opportunities to be enchanted by the incredibly festive decorations of the Lunigiana villages!

To be fully immersed in the spirit of “Natale,” be enchanted by the magic of the Christmas markets and events in December!

This period is also an excellent opportunity for food lovers to taste and buy local products and wines, including D.O.P. certified items such as Farina di Castagne (Chestnut Flour), Miele (Honey) and Olio Toscano I.G.P.“Colline della Lunigiana” (local olive oil with Protected Geographical Indication).

• Christmas Markets in the village of Mulazzo (November 29 and 30, 2025)
• Christmas Markets in Pontremoli (November 29 and 30 plus December 8, 13, 14, 20 and 21, 2025)
• Christmas Markets in Tavernelle (November 29 and 30, 2025)
• Christmas Markets in Fosdinovo (December 7, 2025)
• Accendiamo il Natale in Aulla (November 30, 2025)
• Sapori di Natale in Fivizzano (December 7 and 8, 2025)

Many a town in Lunigiana is populated with nativity characters during this period, recreating the wonderful settings of the first ever Christmas with an entirely Lunigiano flavor. 

On December 7, 14, 20 and 21, the Live Nativity Scene of Villecchia in Tresana is immersed in an almost fairytale-like village where time seems to stand still.

From December 25 to 28, 2025, the renowned Equi Terme Live Nativity takes place, with more than 120 characters reenacting life in the enchanted village under the Apuan Alps, concluding with the atmospheric living nativity scene in the natural grotto. This is a unique opportunity to discover the exceptional natural site of the Equi Terme Grottos , which can be visited every evening and during the day on December 26, 27 and 28. 

From December 26 to 28, 2025, the Piagnaro Castle in Pontremoli will host the Presepe Vivente di San Francesco, a tribute to Saint Francis of Assisi, to whom the tradition of the living nativity is attributed.

But the Lunigiana landscape offers more than just enchanting live nativity scenes! Indeed, the traditional and mechanical versions are also not to be missed, with the Presepe Meccanico in Pallerone, set up in the Parish Church in the hamlet of Aulla, the Presepe Meccanico di Vignola (every Saturday and Sunday from December 21, 2025, to January 12, 2026, from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm), the Presepe di Teglia (daily from December 8, 2025, to January 6, 2026) and the Presepe Meccanico di Mignegno (from December 24, 2025, to January 6, 2026, from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm).

Spending the holiday season in Lunigiana can also be a magical opportunity to visit its beautiful historic homes, including:

• Malaspina Castle in Fosdinovo, open every Saturday and Sunday throughout December 2025 and January 2026 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm, with guided tours every hour (reservations are recommended);
• Piagnaro Castle in Pontremoli, open daily with extended hours from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm (closed December and 26, 2025, plus January 1, 2026, with reduced hours from 2:30 to 5:30 pm) and featuring the Franciscan Live Nativity Scene;
• Brunella Fortress in Aulla, open December 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 20, 21, 26, 27 and 28, 2025, from 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm, with admission and guided tours every 45 minutes;
• Malaspina Castle in Monti, Licciana Nardi, open December 7, 2025, with reservations required;
• Pallerone Castle, open December 7, 2025, with the Special Mechanical Nativity with guided visit and reservations required;
• Villa Dosi Delfini in Pontremoli, open December 7, 8, 14, 21, 28, 29, 30 and 31, 2025, with reservations required.

With the winter season accompanied by bitingly cold weather, the season in the Tuscan-Ligurian Apennines offers up magical whitewashed landscapes, perfect for spending truly pleasant days in the snow with friends and family.

The Zum Zeri ski resort is perfect for skiers (experienced and not), with slopes of varying degrees of difficulty. Here and at the Cerreto Pass, it is possible to rent snowshoes to enjoy an easy snowshoe hike on the soft snow that covers grasslands and forests, to experience an authentic white Christmas, independently or with the help of an environmental hiking guide.