5 things to do at Christmas in Lunigiana

In an intoxicating mix of traditions, Christmas spirit and tasty flavors, it seems that Santa Claus has chosen Lunigiana to spend the holidays: young and old will be able to meet him in person together with his trusty elves at The Santa Claus' Magical House (from December 2 until to  January 6, 2024) in Pontremoli!

But it doesn't end here: Pinocchio under the tree - Flavors of Christmas (December 8, 9 and 10, 2023) will fill the streets of Fivizzano, transforming the historic center into the evocative fairy tale of Pinocchio with markets, typical products, crafts and many themed events .

And if you want to taste and buy typical local products, in mid-December the village of Bagnone awaits you with the second edition of the Truffle Festival and Bagnone Tartufo Walking (December 16-17, 2023), among street food in the name of truffles, but not only!

Truly unmissable opportunities to be enchanted by the incredible festively decorated villages of Lunigiana!

To fully immerse yourself in the Christmas spirit, let yourself be enchanted by the magic of the Christmas markets and events in December!

An excellent opportunity also for lovers of good food to taste and purchase local products and wines, including PDO certificates (such as Chestnut Flour, Honey or PGI Tuscan Oil "Colline della Lunigiana").

• Accendiamo il Natale (December 8, 2023) - at Parco della Camilla in Aulla with stalls, markets and the lightining of the Christmas Tree;
• Ninin – Il mondo è delle bambine e dei bambini (December 8-10-16, 2023) - in Fosdinovo with puppets, music, games and theater, workshops and typical products;
• Aria di Natale at the Terrarossa Castle (December 9-10, 2023) among elfs, pixies and knights, markets, entertainment and puppet shows;
• Il Paese di Babbo Natale (December 10 and 17, 2023) in the village of Barbarasco in Tresana with markets, shows and Santa Claus;
• La Via del Natale (December 16, 2023) at Masero di Terrarossa with shows, music and Christmas carols;
• Christmas markets (December 16 and 23, 2023) in Filattiera for a magical Christmas among shopping, delicacies and performance of the Filattiera Marching Band;
• Christmas in the Center (December 17, 2023) at the Sports Center in Licciana Nardi with sweet and savory food stalls, inflatables and Santa Claus!

There are several villages in Lunigiana which in this period are populated with nativity scene characters, recreating the wonderful settings of the first Christmas with an entirely Lunigiana flavor.

From December 23 to 26, 2023, the renowned Living Nativity Scene of Equi Terme takes place, set between the medieval village and the evocative nativity scene in the cave. Special opportunity to discover the extraordinary naturalistic site with the Equi Terme Caves.

The fifth edition of the Living Nativity of Gavedo in Mulazzo will be inaugurated on 26 December 26, 2023.

On December 26, 2023 and January 1 and 2, 2024, the Piagnaro Castle in Pontremoli will host the Living Nativity Scene of Saint Francis, a tribute to Saint Francis of Assisi, initiator of the nativity scene tradition.

But the Lunigiana panorama does not only offer enchanting live nativity scenes. In fact, not to be missed are the traditional ones, such as the historic Mechanical Nativity Scene of Pallerone, set up in the parish church of the hamlet of Aulla!

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

• Malaspina Castle of Fosdinovo, open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in December 2023 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with guided tours every hour and reservations recommended;
• Piagnaro Castle in Pontremoli, open every day (closed on December 25) continuously from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and with the Franciscan Living Nativity Scene;
• Brunella Fortress in Aulla, open on December 8, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 26 and 30, 2023 from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. with entry and guided tours every 45 minutes;
• Lusuolo Castle in Mulazzo, open on December 8, 2023 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with entry and guided tours every 45 minutes;
• Malaspina Castle di Monti di Licciana Nardi, open on December 8 and 10, 2023 with reservations required;
• Villa Dosi Delfini in Pontremoli, open on December 9, 10 and 30, 2023 with reservations required.

With the winter season and a cold and biting climate, the Tuscan-Ligurian Apennines often offer magical snow-covered landscapes, offering the possibility of spending very pleasant days in the snow with friends, family and, why not, even alone.

The Zum Zeri ski resort is perfect for skiers (expert and non-expert) with slopes of different difficulty levels. And from the Passo dei Due Santi refuge it is also possible to rent snowshoes to enjoy an easy snowshoe hike on the soft snow that covers the woods that lead to the top of Mount Spiaggi, to experience an authentic white Christmas!