Christmas in Val Gardena is not only the period around December 25th but a whole preceding period, full of festive events ranging from the most traditional nativity scenes, to markets, to highly followed and anticipated ski races. Throughout the Advent season, from Ortisei to Santa Cristina, the Val Gardena is a single great valley of joyful appointments with the magic of Christmas.
If normally hospitality is sought after in hotels in Ortisei or hotels in Selva Val Gardena, as well as in hotels in Santa Cristina, during the Christmas and winter period Val Gardena gives its best, with a hospitality if possible even warmer and with the offer of typical Christmas dishes of the local cuisine.
Here are the main events of Christmas in Val Gardena.
Ortisei becomes the Christmas Village
The Ortisei Christmas market is very well curated, immersed in a special atmosphere where you can listen to Christmas melodies, taste homemade sweets, touch handmade wooden objects, admire the lights and the landscape, and smell the scent of food and wood that warm the environment. An Advent experienced with all five senses. Many products are offered by the stalls, all original and authentic, from wooden sculptures and dolls to Christmas wreaths, from lanterns to frames, from candles to felt products.
In Ortisei, in Val Gardena, throughout the Christmas period and until Epiphany (which takes all the festivities away, as a popular saying goes), nativity scenes made by the skilled hands of Gardena sculptors are on display. This is the area where wood is still worked according to old carving techniques. For many years, in fact, Gardena artisans have been showing their works of art to the whole world. These are simple objects or true works of art.
During this period, objects dear to nativity scene enthusiasts are exhibited along the main streets of Ortisei. This year, alongside many praises from local artisans, a special recognition has been added. The sculptors of Val Gardena have been included in the Guinness World Records for creating the largest nativity scene in the world. This “grand” nativity scene is displayed in Iman Square in Santa Cristina.
Tourists wishing to take advantage of this special event can make use of special guides such as members of the Association of Wooden Sculpture Producers themselves. The nativity scenes are found in small houses located throughout the alpine center. A larger exhibition has been set up inside the conference center. Here it will be possible to see the artisans at work.
For those staying in Val Gardena until Christmas Eve, we gladly highlight a musical event not to be missed. These are the small roaming concerts of the Christmas brass bands engaged in performing Christmas pieces according to local tradition.
Every day you can attend choir performances or listen to the sounds of alpine horns or even participate in courses to learn how to make many Ladin objects or dishes.
Finally, children can mail their little letters in a special mailbox in Stetteneck Square, sure that they will reach their destination… in Santa Claus’s house.
Santa Cristina Christmas Market
It traditionally offers many typical products, both from local crafts and gastronomy. Located in a panoramic spot, at the foot of the Sassolungo and Castel Gardena, it has always offered a special atmosphere and many good ideas for a Christmas gift.
There is a wide range of Tyrolean sweets and specialties that will delight visitors’ palates, who can also watch live performances by the Gardenese master sculptors and listen to mountain music and melodies. Every weekend and on weekdays, from 10:00 AM to 6:30 PM, gingerbread cookies and delicious “Spitzbuben,” jam-filled shortcrust cookies with apricot jam, will be freshly baked.
Val Gardena once again confirms itself as the “Valley of Christmas,” offering many events and happenings, all dedicated to the most important celebration of the year.
Selva di Val Gardena and “Mountain Christmas”
The mountain village is located in the heart of the Dolomites, at the foot of the Sella massif, and is the highest municipality in Val Gardena, right on the legendary Ski-tour “Sella Ronda,” where skiing means fun with over 500 km of slopes. Also this year, the ski slopes will be ideally transferred to the pedestrian street in the town center, from December 2nd to January 8th, thanks to a continuous strip of lights 350 meters long, 12 small wooden cable car cabins where you can enjoy gingerbread, mulled wine, homemade cakes, artisan chocolate, or buy unique items for the upcoming Christmas.
A multitude of baubles and sparkling lights together with Christmas songs will delight the hearts and bring joy and amazement to children’s eyes. Moreover, the traditional art of Val Gardena sculpture will find its place in a beautiful nativity scene exhibition.
