Merano Christmas Markets: A Green Event

The Christmas Markets of Merano stretch along the scenic promenade beside the Passirio river, right in the heart of the city. Not only can you browse unique objects and gifts, but you’ll also watch local artisans at work: from the blacksmith forging metal in an open flame, to wood carvers, and masters of felt slippers.

Merano Christmas Markets 2021

In South Tyrol’s wellness capital, Christmas is a blend of innovation and tradition, true to the city’s spirit. The Merano Christmas Market shines with its beautifully designed huts lining the Passirio, each with its own unique look. Inside, you’ll find high-quality regional crafts and delicacies—from freshly baked bread and traditional dishes to wooden objects, scented candles, sheep wool creations, and artful glass or ceramic decorations.

What makes the city’s festively lit streets even more magical is the life-size Advent Calendar at Palais Mamming in Piazza Duomo. Starting from December 1, a new item from the museum’s collection—including never-before-seen pieces—is unveiled daily in the calendar’s windows.

Merano Christmas Markets 2020

This year, like the rest of South Tyrol, Merano’s Christmas markets have been cancelled.

Christmas in Merano 2020

This will be a different kind of Christmas—more heartfelt and intimate. The focus returns to the original spirit of Christmas: family, love, and respect. Merano’s Advent will be all about atmosphere and genuine emotions.

The city has reimagined the pre-Christmas period without the traditional markets: Advent will be illuminated by hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights, creating a warm, festive embrace. Even without the markets, Merano offers a magical atmosphere, coloring the town and even its lesser-known corners—such as the Steinach district—with dazzling displays. The Tappeiner Promenade is now lit for evening strolls, thanks to a new lighting system installed in October between Torre Polveriera and the Serpentine above Via Galilei. Nighttime torch-lit walks are also on offer, and special Christmas Walks itineraries lead visitors to Merano’s most beautiful and hidden spots. Lanterns can be picked up (and returned) from the Tourist Office for a romantic evening wander.

Merano Christmas Markets 2018

The Christmas Markets in Merano announce the start of the festive season! From November 23 to January 6, the Passirio banks in the city center fill with stalls, warmth, and delight.

Choirs, live instrumental music, and the bustling market stalls kick off winter, featuring regional specialties and authentic crafts—perfect festive gifts. The Merano Christmas Markets not only offer shopping but also let you witness artisans at work: forging, carving, and crafting felt slippers.

Merano Markets 2018: What to Eat

Speck, apple strudel, spicy gingerbread milk, wines, and grappas abound on the food stalls.
A standout hut pays homage to Merano’s past as Tyrol’s capital: at the “Schlossbeck” oven, traditional “Dinnede”, a rustic stuffed bread with onions and speck or potatoes and truffles, is baked following an old recipe.

You’ll also find dishes and drinks inspired by medieval times, such as grilled buckwheat dumplings, cinnamon “snow milk,” and honey wine.
Children will love the “Club Stellina” activities, including a Christmas train, carriage rides, visits with Santa Claus, and fun at the Loacker pastry shop.

Merano Markets: Saint Nicholas

In line with local tradition, on December 5 and 6, kids can meet Saint Nicholas, Merano’s patron, and his loyal companion Knecht Ruprecht—who hands out sweets or lumps of coal depending on the child’s behavior.

Every day at 4:45 pm, an Advent calendar window opens in Piazza Duomo, with a festive surprise for the children.

Merano Christmas Markets: Over 200,000 Visitors

Every year, over 200,000 people stroll along the Passirio to shop or enjoy the Christmas market’s stands.

The Merano Market is a certified Green Event by the Ecoistituto Alto Adige, having been designed to respect the environment, manage waste responsibly, and prioritize local, seasonal products.

Merano Christmas Markets: Green Event

Wooden stalls combine modern architecture and tradition, offering outstanding local crafts and cuisine. The many children’s activities make Christmas by the Passirio even more special.

Since 2014, all five South Tyrolean Christmas Markets along the Christmas Star Trail have been illuminated green, thanks to the Ecoistituto Alto Adige’s commitment to sustainable Advent events.

Key Green Event measures include:

• Regional, seasonal, organic, and vegetarian food offerings
• Reusable tablecloths and crockery
• Local alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks; no plastic or canned beverages
• Waste reduction and efficient recycling
• Energy conservation
• Sustainable transport: shuttles, trains, and tips for eco-friendly travel
• FSC paper and climate-neutral printing
• Training staff on the “Green Event” initiative.

Merano Market Huts

Handcrafted goods, regional food specialties, and a world of South Tyrolean tradition: every exhibitor at the Merano Christmas Markets is a journey of discovery, mixing old customs and new, to find the perfect gift. Expect creativity, craftsmanship, and originality everywhere you look.

Merano Markets: Opening Hours

Merano Christmas Market Opening Times

Traditional crafts and South Tyrolean specialties
The Merano Christmas Market is open daily from November 23, 2018 to January 6, 2019 (closed on December 25, 2018).

The official opening is on November 22.

Merano Christmas Markets Trading Stalls Hours

• Sunday–Thursday: 10 am–7 pm
• Friday, Saturday & public holidays: 10 am–8 pm

Special Opening Hours – Merano Christmas Markets

• 24.12.2018: 10 am–3:30 pm
• 31.12.2018: 10 am–3:30 pm
• 01.01.2019: 10 am–8 pm
• 06.01.2019: 10 am–6 pm
• Closed on 25.12.2018

Food & Drink Stalls

• Sunday–Thursday: 10 am–9 pm
• Friday, Saturday & holidays: 10 am–10:30 pm

Special Food Stall Hours – Merano

• 24.12.2018: 10 am–5 pm
• 31.12.2018: 10 am–5 pm
• 01.01.2019: 10 am–9 pm
• 06.01.2019: 10 am–6 pm
• Closed on 25.12.2018

Merano Markets: How to Get There

By Train

Visitors traveling with Trenitalia’s FRECCE trains can enjoy exclusive offers. Discover details and participating accommodations offering ticket refunds!
All Munich–Verona regional trains stop in Bolzano; from there, a train leaves for Merano every half hour.

By Coach

Tour coaches follow dedicated signage into the city center. The designated parking lot is on Via Palade near the Meranarena ice rink. For loading and unloading, 15-minute stops are allowed in Via Piave by the Therme—accessible via Via Roma and Viale delle Terme or Via Piave.

By Car

Take exit A22 (Brenner Motorway) BOLZANO SUD, then continue on the Merano–Bolzano expressway (MEBO), leaving at MERANO MAIA BASSA or MERANO CENTRO. Directional city panels display the availability of central parking spots.

Parking options include the free Prader lot (opposite the train station), Blue Park zones (marked by blue lines, pay at meter), and numerous paid underground garages (indicated on the city map):

• Terme Merano Garage
• Plaza – Via Goethe
• Cantina Sociale di Lagundo – Via Galilei
• Karl Wolf – Via Verdi
• Bristol Shopping Center – Via Ottone Huber
• Parkhaus Obermais – Via Scena
• Meranarena – 15 minutes’ walk from the center

Free parking is also available at Piazza Prader (across from the main station). On market days (Tuesdays and Fridays), the area is only accessible after 5 pm. On Tuesdays, half the lot is used for the market; on Fridays, the entire area. The city center is a 10-minute walk away.

By Camper

Camping Merano, minutes from the center, has space for 300 people and 120 vehicles. Facilities include hot water, showers/WC, and electrical hookups.

Prices (22.11.2018–07.01.2019): Caravan + 1 car/camper including 2 people €28.00, additional adult €10.00, child (4–13 years) €5.00. Check-in: 8:00 am–9:00 pm. No reservations. Info: Camping Merano, Via Piave 44, tel. 0473 231249, info@merano.eu.

Alternative parking areas (about 10 minutes’ walk from the center) for campers:

• Prader Square at the main train station (free, undeveloped area). On market days, available after 5 pm. On Tuesdays, half the lot is used for the market; on Fridays, the whole area
• Via IV Novembre, near Prader Square
• Via Bersaglio, in the parking lot of the Combi sports complex (over 100 spaces) from 6.12.17 to the morning of 11.12.2017 and from 29.12.2017 to the morning of 2.01.2018 and every Saturday and Sunday.

By BlaBlaCar

BlaBlaCar connects drivers with available seats and people looking for rides. The platform has over 20 million members across Europe. Users can specify preferences—no smoking, pets, talkativeness (“Bla”, “BlaBla”, or “BlaBlaBla”)—for a better match. For details visit BlaBlaCar.

Merano Markets: Panoramic Shuttle

A fun train connects key city locations and the Christmas Markets—a quick, original way to get around and take in Merano’s charm.
Route: Hotel Terme – Via Garibaldi – Via Petrarca – Via Piave – Piazza Teatro – Corso Libertà – Via A. Hofer – Via Goethe – Via delle Corse – Via Piave – Via Petrarca – Via Roma – Via Ortwein – Via Garibaldi – Hotel Terme.
Info: tel. 339 5694694. Prices: adults €5.00, children €3.00.

Merano Markets: What’s Nearby?

Seen from above, Merano and its surroundings look like a star, with the city at the center and rays stretching into Val Venosta, Val Passiria, and Val d’Adige.

Idyllic villages and towns dot these valleys, all thriving on tourism and the region’s unique blend of town and country, Mediterranean and Alpine flora, and a mix of architectural styles—contrasts that make Merano’s area a year-round destination.

With over 6,000 beds available region-wide, there’s something for every traveler, offering a wide range of quality and attention to detail across all services and accommodations.