With December well underway, cities are getting ready to shine with festive lights. The streets of Verona are painted in the warm and welcoming colors of Christmas, marking the start of the much-anticipated Christmas markets that transform the city into a charming winter oasis.
As the holiday season arrives, Verona dresses up in celebration, welcoming visitors with a warm embrace of tradition and a Christmas atmosphere. So, are you ready to experience the enchantment of Verona’s Christmas markets?
Verona’s Markets: What You Need To Know
This year’s edition runs from November 18th to December 26th, providing ample time to delight the thousands of visitors Verona receives annually. If you’re familiar with the city or planning a Christmas outing, don’t forget that the markets are mainly located in the following historic areas:
- Piazza dei Signori
- Cortile Mercato Vecchio
- Cortile del Tribunale
- Loggia del Cortile del Tribunale
- Via della Costa
- Loggia Vecchia
- Piazza Sacco e Vanzetti (Arsenale)
Open every day from 10 in the morning until 9:30 or 11 at night; for more information, check the official link here.
Don’t miss the famous cottage-like stalls along the city’s main streets. The market stalls offer a variety of gastronomic specialties, such as boiled beef with pearà or sweets like Santa Lucia’s frolle and Nadalin. You can also find dishes from Alto Adige/Südtirol, including Strudel, sausage and sauerkraut, or Austrian Kartoffeln.
Verona Christmas Run
Verona has more than just markets, sweets, and candies! On Sunday, December 17, 2023, the Verona Christmas Run returns with 5 km and 10 km routes. During this day of joy and festivity, young and old can run or walk through the city streets dressed as Santa Claus! At the finish line, all participants can collect a Christmas package and celebrate with food and music.
The Comet Star
A symbol of Christmas festivities and the entire city is the Comet Star, born in 1984 from an intuition by Alfredo Troisi and designed by Rinaldo Olivieri.
Hence, this immense arch connects the space of the arena with the urban area. Overall, it is an arch of light and steel that starts from the temple of music to fall among the citizens chilled by the winter mists and allows them to meet in a bright and happy place. This message has been going on since 1984, and this year, we are more than happy to savor it once again.
Nativity Scenes at the Arena of Verona
The Verona Foundation for the Arena presents a rich exhibition of nativity scenes and artworks inspired by the theme of the Nativity, from November 18, 2023, to January 14, 2024. The exhibition, which holds the Guinness World Record, offers a variety of models from all over Italy.
Here, an infinity of different nativity scene models are exhibited, for enthusiasts or simply for those who are faithful Catholics. Among Italian and international nativity scenes, we can trace the history of nativity scenes in an atmosphere of religious spirit, faith, and the language of art.
Undoubtedly, in Verona you can find nativity models from all over Italy, bringing together all artisans under the common roof of a joyful and serene holiday.
All in all, Verona’s Christmas markets are truly an experience not to be missed. Immersed in a magical atmosphere and surrounded by Christmas traditions, you will have the opportunity to savor flavors, discover artistic beauties, and participate in all these special events, such as the Santa Run. Whether you are a nativity scene enthusiast, an enthusiastic runner, or simply looking for unique gifts, Verona has everything to offer during this time of year. Happy holidays to all!
