In Italy, starting at the middle of November, many Christmas markets open their gates. Here is a list of Christmas markets and other events happening in Veneto and nearby regions (events are listed by town in alphabetical order):
Arco
Nov. 17-Jan. 7: Christmas markets downtown; food booths feature local specialties, entertainment for children; Christmas train and camel rides, street artists. Open: Fridays-Sundays, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. and Dec. 7, Dec. 21, Dec. 26-28, Jan. 1-2 and Jan. 4. Closed on Dec. 25
http://www.mercatini-natale.com/arco-mercatini-di-natale/
Altavilla Vicentina
Dec. 2-3: Christmas market in Piazza Rimembranza. Live music and entertainment; horse-drawn carriage rides; Dec. 2, 3 p.m. parade with Santa Claus; Dec. 3, baby-dance, face-painting and Santa Claus' elves; 5:30 p.m. Christmas carols and Christmas tree lighting. Open: 3-7 p.m.
Asiago
Nov. 11-Jan. 7: I Giardini di Natale -- Christmas Gardens. Wooden booths feature a large variety of Christmas items and gifts ideas; food booths with local specialties and vin brulè (mulled wine). Open: Nov. 25, Dec. 2, and Dec. 16, 10:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. and 3-7 p.m.; Nov. 26, Dec. 3, Dec. 7-10, Dec. 22-Jan. 7, 10:30 a.m.- 7 p.m.; Dec. 1, Dec. 15, 3-7 p.m.
Bassano del Grappa
Nov. 18-Dec. 27: Christmas market and entertainment for children.
in Piazza Garibaldi, Tuesdays-Sundays, 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m.; Mondays (in December) 2-7 p.m.
in Piazza della Libertà. Tuesdays-Wednesday, Fridays, Sundays, 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m.; Mondays (only in December), Thursdays, and Saturdays, 2-7:30 p.m.
Bolzano
Nov. 24-Jan. 6: Piazza Walther. More than 80 stallholders in their typical little huts offer traditional seasonal gifts (handmade wooden, glass and ceramic products along with Christmas tree decorations, delicious seasonal pastries and many original gifts), plenty of food specialties available plus mulled wine; children's Christmas market where kids can take an active part baking Christmas cookies and making small Christmas decorations and presents. Open: daily, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Dec. 1, 10 a.m.-midnight; Dec. 24, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; Dec. 31, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Jan. 1, 2018, noon-7 p.m.; Dec. 25, closed.
Bressanone (Bolzano)
Nov. 24 -- Jan. 6: Christmas market in Piazza Duomo; food booths; live music, horse-drawn carriage tours; exhibits and carnival rides.Open: Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m.; Sundays and Italian holidays, 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m.; Dec. 24 and Dec. 31, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Jan. 1, noon-7 p.m.
Brunico (Bolzano)
Nov. 24 -- Jan. 6: Suoni di Natale -- Christmas Sounds. Christmas markets on Via Bastioni, Parco Tschurtschenthaler and Oberstadt. Open: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Dec. 24, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Closed Dec. 25.
Bussolengo (Verona)
Nov. 4-Jan. 7: Villaggio di Natale Flover -- Flover Christmas Village on Via Pastrengo 16. 1; Christmas Village where Santa Claus and his elves wait for children to play and offer them snacks; every Monday from 4-6 p.m. free bread making workshop for children; all children who give a letter to Santa Claus will receive a free Magic Christmas key. Entrance fee: €2 on weekends and Italian holidays; free on weekdays. Open: daily 9 a.m.-7:30 p.m.; closed Dec. 25.
Camisano Vicentino
Dec. 10, Dec. 17, Dec. 24: Christmas Market, caroling, roasted chestnuts and vin brulè (mulled wine). Dec. 17, free candies and hot chocolate donated by Santa Claus to all children; holiday parades. Open: 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Castello di Godego (Treviso)
Dec. 8: Christmas market and local product exhibit and sale in Piazza XI Febbraio. Christmas train rides; entertainment for children. Open: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Caldogno
Dec. 17, in Villa Caldogno, Via Giacomo Zanella 3. Christmas decorations and creative crafts; nativity set, live music, games and entertainment for children; hot chocolate and vin brulè (mulled wine). Free entrance. Open: 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Gallio (Vicenza)
Dec. 8-10, Dec. 16-17, and Dec. 22-Jan 7: Christmas market in Piazzetta dei Giardini, with wooden outdoor booths featuring local holiday sweets, hot chocolate, hot spiced wine, local crafts and gift items; entertainment with jugglers, musicians, fire-eaters, street artists, gnomes, elves, and acrobats. Shows and workshops for children. Open: 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 3:30-7 p.m.
Jesolo (Venice)
Dec. 2-Jan. 7: More than 45 stands with Christmas gift ideas and holiday specialties in Piazza Mazzini and Via Trentin. Open: Mondays-Fridays, 2-8 p.m.
Dec. 8-Feb. 12: Presepe di Sabbia-Sand Nativity in Piazza Marconi. A huge sand nativity set sculptured by the best sand artists in the world. Free entrance. Open: 9:30 a.m.- 6 p.m.
Levico Terme (Trento)
Nov. 25-Jan. 6: Christmas caroling, Santa Claus, horse-drawn carriage tours in Parco degli Asburgo. Open: Dec. 1, Dec. 3, Dec. 7-8, Dec. 10, Dec. 15, Dec. 17, Dec. 22-24; Dec. 26-Jan. 6, 10 a.m.-7 pm.; Dec. 2, Dec. 9, and Dec. 16 it closes at 10:30 p.m.
Longare
Dec. 16, Via Roma; Christmas market; food booths feature typical holiday products, wellness items and local crafts. Open: 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
Merano (Bolzano)
Nov. 24-Jan. 6: Christmas market, workshops for children, horse rides, and food booths in Piazza del Duomo and surrounding downtown streets. Open: Sundays-Thursdays, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Fridays, Saturdays, and Italian holidays, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Dec. 24, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; Dec. 31, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Jan. 1, 10:30 a.m.07 p.m.; Jan 6, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; closed on Dec. 25.
Noventa Vicentina
Dec. 17: Christmas market on Corso Matteotti; Christmas train rides for children; caroling; food booths feature holiday sweets; stores open all day long. Open: 9 a.m.-8 p.m.
Padova
Nov. 25-Jan. 7: Il Villaggio Lappone-The Lappish Village in Piazza Eremitani; Christmas market, gospel choirs, entertainment for children with shows, Santa Claus and his elves; free entrance. Open: 9 a.m.-8 p.m.
Dec. 8-Jan. 6: Villaggio Ghiacciato -- Ice Village in Piazza Sartori. Ice-skating ring. Free entrance. Open: 9 a.m.-8 p.m.
Dec. 31: Capodanno - New Year's Wonder Company in Prato della Valle. Live music and dancing; fireworks at midnight. Free entrance. Open: 10 a.m.-2 a.m.
Rovereto
Nov. 24- Jan. 6: Christmas markets in Piazza Erbe, Piazza Malfatti and Via Roma. This year, a special section feature artistic nativity sets from Naples; local and international crafts exhibit and sale; food booths featuring holiday specialties and gluten-free delicious products for celiacs. Open: Mondays, noon-8 p.m.; Tuesdays-Sundays, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Dec. 24 and Dec. 31, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; closed on Dec. 25; Jan. 1, noon-7 p.m.
Thiene
Natale di Fiaba
Fairytale Christmas
Dec. 9-10 and Dec. 16-17, Christmas markets downtown Thiene. The city will be transformed in a charming place with areas reserved to Santa Claus, to the Pinocchio's world, and more than 300 fairytale characters. Free entrance. Open Saturdays 3-7 p.m. and Sundays 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Trento
Nov. 25-Jan. 6: Christmas market in Piazza Fiera and Piazza Cesare Battisti. Open: 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m.; closed Dec. 25; Dec. 26 and Jan. 1, noon-7:30 p.m.
Venice
Dec. 9-10, Dec. 16-17, and Dec. 23-24: Christmas market at Palazzo Zenobio, Fondamenta del Soccorso, Dorsoduro 2597. High-quality local craft exhibit and sale; clothing, bags, fashion jewelry, vintage items, sampling of local products; mask making workshop; readings for children. Open: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Verona
Nov. 17-Dec. 26: Mercatino di Norimberga -- Nuremberg Christmas Market in Piazza dei Signori, Cortile Mercato Vecchio and Via della Costa; more than 300 booths feature holiday sweets, gift ideas, toys and the traditional carousel; the square is lighted by a huge steel comet star sculpture surging from the Arena into Piazza Brà. Open: Sunday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, and holidays' eve: 10 a.m.-11 p.m.; closed Dec. 25 morning.
Dec. 10-13: Fiera di Santa Lucia-St. Lucia Fair in Piazza Brà, via Roma and Piazza Cittadella; 260 holiday booths from all over Italy feature holiday sweets, gift ideas, and toys. Open: 9:30 a.m.-11 p.m.
Dec. 17: Christmas Run, non-competitive 5 or 10 km marathon; it departs from Piazza Brà at 10 a.m.; the €10 registration fee includes a Santa Claus running suit, a racing bib and package with holiday products; €5 without the Santa suit; you can register on Dec. 17 from 7:30-9 a.m. in Piazza Brà.
Nov. 18-Jan. 21, Presepi dal Mondo in Arena-International Nativity Sets Exhibit, at the Arena; open daily 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; more than 400 nativity scenes from all over the world, designed by craftsmen and artists; shows of lights and music; entrance fee: €7; reduced €6 for children aged 6-12 and senior citizen older than 60.
Vicenza
Dec. 2-3, Dec. 8-10, Dec. 15-17, Dec. 22-24, Dec. 29-30 and Jan. 5-7: Fuori Mercato -- Christmas Craft and Art exhibit and sale, in Piazza delle Erbe. Open: 9 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
Collezionare/Christmas Collectibles & Secondhand Market
Dec. 2-3, in Vicenza, Corso Fogazzaro, Via Cesare Battisti, and Piazza delle Poste. Also local crafts exhibit and sale. Open: 9 a.m.-8 p.m.
Dec. 4-Jan. 7: Magico Natale, Magic Christmas, Corso Fogazzaro, Via Cesare Battisti, Corso Palladio; wooden chalets in Corso Fogazzaro, Piazza San Lorenzo, and Piazza Castello; on weekends, also entertainment with clowns, magic shows, and Santa Claus. Open: 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
Dec. 8: Festa di Santa Lucia - St. Lucia Fair, in Contrà Mure, Porta Santa Lucia; local products and crafts exhibit and sale; entertainment for children and live music. Open: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Dec. 8-10: Dec. 15-17, Dec. 22-24, and Jan. 5-7: Il Mercato delle Pulci, Christmas Flea Market, Piazzale Alcide De Gasperi. Vintage Remake and Handmade holiday items. Open: 8 a.m.-10 p.m.
Dec. 8-9: Bontà e Benessere - Delicious products and Well-Being, Piazza Castello.
Local specialties, biological products, and craft exhibit and sale. Traditional holiday sweets exhibit; free entrance. Open: 9:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
Dec. 9: Piazza San Lorenzo, live Celtic Harp Music. 3-6:30 p.m.
Dec. 10 and Dec. 17: Via Cesare Battisti, Corso Palladio, and Piazza dei Signori; Thierry Parmentier itinerant show. 3-6:30 p.m.
Dec. 16, Corso Fogazzaro, Via Cesare Battisti, Corso Palladio and Piazza dei Signori; Bernese Mountain Dogs' parade. 3-6:30 p.m.
Dec. 22-23: Piazza San Lorenzo, Boule de Neige, a giant holiday snowball where children and adults can have their holiday pictures taken. 3-6:30 p.m.
Dec. 30: Corso Fogazzaro, Via Cesare Battisti and Corso Palladio; Christmas bagpipe music itinerant show. 3-6:30 p.m.
Dec. 23: Corri Babbo Natale Corri --The 11th annual run will be held in support of "Villaggio SOS Vicenza" and a local Association for Cardiopathic Children. The event is from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Campo Marzo, the park near the main train station. Registration will be held at Villaggio SLS, Via G. Silvestri. The €8 participation fee includes a lightweight Santa running suit, hot chocolate and pandoro cake at the finish; €3 includes Santa hat and refreshment. Individuals of all ages and groups are welcome. There will be special recognition for largest group, awards for youngest and oldest Santa Claus, and for most creative Christmas outfit. The course is under two kilometers and may be easily completed by walking. Participants may pre-register to receive their outfit before race day at Villaggio SLS, Via G. Silvestri, Vicenza, or may sign up and pay the day of the event before 10 a.m.
Dec. 31: Capodanno- New Year's Party, in Piazza dei Signori, with live music and dancing. 8:30 p.m. -- 2 p.m.
Nov. 26-Feb. 4. Free entrance to admire nativity sets at the following locations:
Cathedral, Piazza Duomo
S. Michele ai Servi Church, Piazza Biade
Santi Felice e Fortunato Church, Corso SS. Felice e Fortunato
Sacra Famiglia Church, S. Lazzaro, Via P.L. Da Palestrina
Maddalene Church, Strada Maddalene
S. Croce dei Carmini Church, Corso Fogazzaro
Cuore Immacolato di Maria Church, S. Bortolo, Via Medici
S. Maria Ausiliatrice, Viale Cricoli
Chiesa di S. Lucia Church, Borgo S. Lucia
S. Giuliano Church, Corso Padova
S. Pio X Church, Via Giuriato
S. Maria Assunta Church, Strada di Casale
Monte Berico Church, Viale X Giugno
Vitipeno (Bolzano)
Nov. 24-Jan. 6. Christmas markets downtown. Open: Mondays-Fridays, 10 a.m.- 7 p.m.; Saturdays-Sundays and Italian Holidays, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; Dec. 24, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.; Closed on Dec. 25. From Dec. 26, open Sundays and Italian holidays, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Dec. 31, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Jan. 1, 3-7 p.m.
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