The 2018 edition of Arezzo City of Christmas promises to be truly extraordinary. This much-anticipated events calendar, organized by the Fondazione Arezzo Intour together with the Municipality of Arezzo and the Arezzo province’s Confcommercio, will transform one of Italy’s most beautiful historic centers into a magical setting from November 17th to December 26th.
Among the highlights this year is the new “Christmas Village” at the Prato, the green area overlooking the city. Here, a spectacular Ferris wheel (30 meters high with rotating cabins) will offer breathtaking views. Around the wheel, visitors can skate on a circular ice rink about 120 meters in circumference, while geodesic domes shaped like igloos will house a kids’ area and an ice bar—guaranteeing fun for all ages. Still in the Prato, another geodesic dome will become a planetarium with dome tent theater projections. There will also be a huge Lego village: 400 square meters of exhibitions, displays, and pick & build workshops, where you can create your own masterpiece to take home.
The traditional Christmas Markets return to Piazza Grande. In front of the loggia, the magical atmosphere of the Tyrolean Village—Italy’s biggest outside Tyrol—is re-created, with 34 wooden huts and a large chalet serving beers and delicious Alpine dishes like canederli, spaetzle, and polenta. Thursday evenings feature Tuscany-Tyrol fusion dinners, while Fridays bring informal aperitifs and DJ sets. The stalls offer a wide array of Christmas-themed gifts from major European markets like Salzburg, Frankfurt, Bolzano, and Trento. Inside the Palazzo della Fraternita dei Laici, Santa’s House awaits with workshops for kids and opportunities to snap a photo with Santa Claus. On weekends, don’t miss the side events: a parade of over 100 Disney fairytale characters (Sunday, November 18), the Xmas Circus street art festival (Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 November), the collective launch of 5,000 colorful balloons at the Prato (November 25), a Disney Princesses cosplay gathering (Saturday, December 8), and the flight of the “Christmas Balloons” from Piazza Grande (Sunday, December 9). There will also be guided tours to discover Arezzo’s old town center, thanks to the special “Arezzo and the Magic of Christmas” itinerary, plus spectacular light projections “Big Lights” and a Christmas video-mapping show in Piazza Grande every Saturday and Sunday at 5:00 pm and 5:45 pm.
“This is the first Christmas for the Fondazione Arezzo Intour, and the fourth in a row that Arezzo prepares to celebrate the most magical time of the year with an ever-growing calendar of events for young and old alike,” says Mayor Alessandro Ghinelli. “With rising visitor numbers each year, this edition will feature new attractions and special events even in the highest part of town, adding to our usual streets and squares. It’s a program designed to involve both locals and tourists, in line with our goal of making Arezzo ever more attractive and welcoming.”
“After the incredible success of previous years,” adds Marcello Comanducci, City Tourism Councillor and President of Fondazione Arezzo Intour, “with over one million visitors, double the usual occupancy for local hotels, and a clear rise in winter overnight stays, we’ve decided to make Arezzo City of Christmas 2018 even bigger and better. Our effort to develop the Prato area with permanent attractions open daily throughout the Christmas period is aimed at inspiring visitors to discover a unique Christmas in Italy. Today’s program is the result of close teamwork: we believe events like this are a great opportunity to promote the city and boost the entire local economy.”
Arezzo Christmas Markets
“Arezzo has become a sought-after destination for organized travel, with Piazza Grande providing a real alternative to classic Christmas markets north of the Alps—closer and more convenient in time and distance.
This success has far exceeded our expectations, showing again how a well-run event can help promote an entire city and its businesses. The old town—so bustling with people at the markets—is a sight rarely seen during the rest of the year, and this has been a real boon for both the city’s image and its local shops and eateries. For the first time ever, we’ve seen business pick up from mid-November—a usually quiet time—and that’s a welcome relief for local retailers in this challenging period.”
For Arezzo City of Christmas, Atam spa offers a special deal: from December 8th to 25th, parking in Mecenate and Baldaccio lots will cost just 1 euro for the whole day.
During the holidays, the entire city will be animated with spectacular lights, markets with local products, festive decorations, concerts, and shows, all creating unique, unforgettable atmospheres that blend perfectly with Arezzo’s artistic and cultural heritage.
Arezzo City of Christmas is a project conceived and promoted by Fondazione Arezzo Intour, with the Municipality of Arezzo and the Arezzo province’s Confcommercio, and realized in collaboration with cultural associations, local businesses, and artists.
