22 years of history, 78 exhibitors, and 25 days of events: these are just some of the numbers behind the famous Bolzano Christmas Market.
Renowned worldwide and a symbol of the holiday season, the Christmas market has always been an unmissable event capable of conveying a magical atmosphere that transports our senses and minds straight into the heart of Advent.
The wooden chalets standing side by side, lit by soft little Christmas lights and decorated with pine twigs reminiscent of the forest, showcase traditional products from the Alto Adige area such as speck and bread, filling the air with the delicious scent of natural spices from unspoiled mountain pastures. Nativity figurines, Christmas tree ornaments, little bells, and wooden toys for children crafted by the skilled hands of talented Dolomite artisans.
Amid these scents and displays of light and color, visitors stroll through the Christmas market surrounded by snow at the foot of towering mountains, finding refreshment at the three food stands where they can taste local delicacies such as apple strudel and zelten while sipping a warm glass of mulled wine (Vin Brulé) or apple juice.
Events
Few people know that the Bolzano Christmas Market hosts not only local artisans and small merchants, but also numerous events that entertain and liven up the market days—concerts, historical reenactments, sculpting competitions, and much more scheduled throughout every day of the market. Some of the most important include:
Nativity Scene Trail (Via dei Presepi), from November 30 to December 31
Shop windows in Bolzano will display nativity scenes from countries across Europe, forming a true Nativity Scene Trail where visitors can admire these wonderful works as if in an open-air museum.
Solidarity Market, from November 30 to December 23
Non-profit organizations will be present in the downtown streets with their stalls to promote fair-trade items.
Advent Concerts
Every Saturday and Sunday (from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM) beneath the large Christmas tree in downtown Bolzano, Christmas concerts will take place featuring traditional songs from Trentino Alto Adige.
Exhibitors
For its 22nd edition as well, the Bolzano Christmas Market will host dozens of exhibitors, most of whom are mountain artisans offering strictly handmade creations (wooden sculptures, wool sweaters, Christmas ornaments):
At this link you can find the full list > exhibitor link
When?
The Bolzano Christmas Market returns again this year from November 29 through December 23. Typically, the wooden chalets are open from mid-morning until evening, though they may stay open longer during special events.
How to get there and where to park
One of the few issues you may encounter when visiting the Bolzano Christmas Market is finding a parking spot.
The organizers have set up 3 free parking lots:
> Fiera Parking Lot (closed from 8:30 PM to 6:30 AM)
> Via Maso della Pieve Parking Lot (90-minute parking disc limit)
> Bolzano Sud Parking Lot (A22 highway exit)
In addition to these, there are also paid parking lots scattered throughout the city; keep in mind that some of them can be quite expensive, so it is always a good idea to check rates before parking to avoid unpleasant surprises at the end of the day. Please also remember that parking spaces marked with white lines are reserved exclusively for residents and cannot be used by tourists visiting the market.
As for public transport, on Saturdays and Sundays during the market a Free Shuttle Bus Service operates along the ZonaFiera–CentroBolzano route, so a great option is to park at the exhibition center (Fiera) and take the shuttle bus into the city center.
In fact, for those arriving from the south, the Bolzano Sud highway exit and the Fiera parking lot are recommended, whereas those arriving from the north can exit at Bolzano Nord and park at the Bolzano Centro parking garage (paid).
For any further information, you can visit the official website
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