During the Christmas holiday season Ferrara decorates its streets with coloured lights, street markets, concerts, nativity scenes and fireworks. At Christmas time this beautiful Renaissance city becomes a hub of Christmas shopping and fun for all the family.
In the weeks leading up to Christmas the centre of Ferrara hosts a selection of Christmas market stalls and kiosks selling everything from hand made jewellery and gifts to Christmas delicacies such as the traditional Italian “torrone”, a nougat confection made with sugar, honey, egg white and nuts.
During holidays, the centre of Ferrara livens up thanks to funny and traditional events which transform the rigorous aspect of the Renaissance city in an immense open stage for the amusement of both adults and children.
The lighting of the suggestive illuminations and of the big Christmas Tree in the church square of Piazza Cattedrale at the beginning of December is welcomed by an appreciated ceremony which inaugurates holidays, Christmas shopping and fun.
Street markets, music events, games for children and travelling choirs welcome visitors during Christmas and New Year’s Day Holidays. Santas liven up the squares of the city with funny shows and small booths sell mulled wine, chestnuts and hot chocolate.
CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR’S EVE IN FERRARA
Ferrara celebrates Christmas and the New Year with a packed program of events and initiatives, starting early: throughout the holiday season, the historic center will be enlivened by exciting shows for children and adults, Christmas stalls, and special themed markets. Throughout the Christmas season, the historic center will transform into a vast open-air stage, enlivened by lights, shows, music, and events designed for all ages. With museums, historic buildings, light installations, and family-friendly initiatives, Ferrara will offer a welcoming and human-scale experience, perfect for strolling or cycling through the city center. Over 120 kilometers of energy-efficient lights with new decorations (about 30 different types of decorations, including 3D), and light displays, will be on display. The evocative surprise light displays will illuminate Piazza Ariostea, Piazza Municipio, Piazza della Repubblica, and Rotonda Foschini.
The winter park returns with around twenty rides and attractions for children and families at Marco Coletta Park, which will also feature many new features: new attractions for all age groups, a dedicated food and beverage area, and a Christmas-themed event for the whole family where you can unleash the holiday spirit with an ice skating rink, a large panoramic tower, spectacular lights, entertainment, refreshment areas, and much more.
At the Christmas Village, with its elegant white wooden huts, you can find artisanal works of art as well as initiatives and entertainment starting November 22nd, the day the lights will be turned on in Piazza Trento Trieste, Piazza del Municipio, and Corso Martiri.
NEW FOR 2025 – “Triumphus Lucis,” the video mapping project curated by Andrea Bernabini and Sara Caliumi, will take place on weekend afternoons in São Paulo from December 6th to 21st; Focusing on the upper part of the church, it will highlight all those details that usually escape the observer. The nearby cloister, featuring special lighting, will house the Grinch’s home (weekends only), an enigmatic character who will disrupt Christmas. Finally, continuing the theme, the former Refectory of San Paolo will host creative workshops for children.
On December 8th, the imposing Christmas tree will be lit in Piazza Cattedrale, before the curious and captivated eyes of those present, followed by an unmissable Gospel concert.
Music will accompany the holiday season with concerts and performances in the heart of the city. On December 7th, the street band Christmas Crackers will liven up the streets of the city center. On December 8th, to mark the lighting of the tree, the Ferrara Film Orchestra will perform “Movie Xmas Song,” a journey through soundtracks and Christmas classics. Following this, on December 13th there will be a concert by the Jelly & Jam group under the Christmas tree; on December 14th the Ferrara Gospel Choir Academy will perform in the courtyard of the Estense Castle; and on December 20th the traveling musical parade of the Christmas Street Band – Teatro Scalzo.
For children, the “Welcome to the North Pole” Village will be held in the Imbarcadero 1 hall on the 13th and 14th, while at the Rotonda Foschini, this year’s new feature will begin on the same days: artificial snowfall, which will only be available on weekends and the days before holidays, enchanting guests with the magical atmosphere created by Queen Elsa from Frozen with her mini show. On the 14th, the Sala Estense will host the “Tailor for Ladies” show by the Compagnia del Gecko, the only paid event, but all proceeds will be donated to charity.
The world’s most beloved holiday is pure joy for children: that’s why the long-awaited Santa Claus Village will be set up in Piazza Municipale. With games, workshops, delicious snacks, and plenty of entertainment, it’s always a reason to celebrate!
VIA MAZZINI AND THE FURIOSO
The 30th anniversary of UNESCO recognition will be marked by the “Via Mazzini, Street of the Renaissance” initiative, which will feature street lighting with verses from the first octave of the poem Orlando Furioso, a route leading to the Ariostea Library, where the poet is located. To round out the celebratory event, on December 9th at 6:00 pm, voice actor Luca Ward will read a passage from Orlando from the balcony of the Sala dell’Arengo in the Ducal Palace. On the 24th, the underwater nativity scene will be set up in the castle moat, and many other events await us until Epiphany.
EVENTS PROGRAM
Many initiatives to experience a vibrant Christmas with music and unmissable events.
New year’s day in Ferrara is celebrated in the Piazza del Castello with a series of concerts performed by artists of national and international fame. Ferrara greets the New Year with the “Castle Fire” a breathtaking and unique pyrotechnic show which lights up the midnight sky with fireworks and shocking fire displays.
The fun and hospitality that greets visitors on the streets of Ferrara at Christmas time extends itself to the town’s shops and restaurants. Visitors expecting invitingly decorated shop windows and a warm Christmas welcome will not be disappointed.
For further info visit http://capodannoferrara.com/
English (UK) 
Italiano 
Español 
Deutsch 
Français