(December 7, 2018) --
Italian National holidays in December and January:
Dec. 25: Christmas
Dec. 26: St. Stephen's Day, the first Christian martyr
Jan. 6: The Epiphany -- This holiday celebrates the visit of the Magi (The Wise Men) to the infant Jesus. It's also known as La Befana, who is a kind, ugly and old hunchback witch. She is dressed in rags and travels straddling a flying broomstick, carrying a self-replenishing sack full of presents for children.
Festival dell'Oriente
Orient Festival
Dec. 7-9 and 14-16, 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m., Padova, Exhibit Center, Via Niccolò Tommaseo 59. Oriental contemporary and antique traditions; ceremonies, Samurais' armors, folklore, shows, health and wellness, holist disciplines; fine fabrics, from origami, to bonsai to shodo activities; ancient jewels, candles, essential oils, spices, kimonos, biological products and much more. Typical oriental food and cuisine. Entrance fee: €12 (10 years and older); reduced €8 (5 to 10 years). Tickets can be purchased at the cashier, credit cards are accepted.
Christmas Market
Dec. 7-24 (Fridays to Sundays), 10 a.m.--10 p.m. Corso Fogazzaro, Vicenza. Outdoor Christmas market: Vendors will be selling peculiar handcrafts, antique and vintage items, and typical holiday foods and specialties.
Outdoor Ice Skating Rink
Dec. 8-Jan 27, Christmas on ice at Piazza Biade, Vicenza.
From Dec. 8-21 and Jan. 7-27:
Monday through Thursday, 3:30-7:30 p.m. and Friday, 3:30-11 p.m.
Saturday, including Dec. 8 (Italian holiday), 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to midnight
Sunday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2-10 p.m.
From Dec. 22-Jan. 6:
Monday through Sunday, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and 2 p.m.-midnight
*On Christmas Day (Dec. 25) and New Year's Day (Jan. 1), open 3 p.m. to midnight, and on New Year's Eve (Dec. 31), 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and 2-8 p.m.
Prices: Monday through Friday €6 (€5 for 12 years and below)
Saturdays, Sundays and holidays €7 (€6 for 12 years and below)
Skate rental €2. Membership card for the whole season €140 (with skates) or €110 without skates. Ice skating lessons, 30 minutes: €7.
Christmas Concerts
Dec. 8, 8:30-10 p.m., Isola Vicentina, Via Chiesa 1, by the church. GPS location: 45.630074, 11.441765.
Dec. 9, 9 p.m., San Lorenzo Temple, Corso Fogazzaro, Vicenza. A Christmas Concert with music of Beethoven and Mozart. Free entrance. Donations accepted for Pangea Onlus for projects in Tanzania.
Dec. 16, 8:30 p.m., Gospel Choir with the "Blu Gospel" group at Salone Oratorio Don Bosco, via Ozanam, 5, Vicenza. Free entrance.
Holiday Music Events at Vicenza Theater
Teatro Comunale
All of the following events will take place at Viale Mazzini, 39, Vicenza. Tickets online at www.tcvi.it (click on biglietteria).
•Dec. 10, 8:45 p.m., piano performance by Emmanuel Ax, renowned international pianist. He will play Brahms, Chopin, Ravel and Schumann. Cost ranges from €22 adults, €16 senior over 60, and €12 for under 30.
•Dec. 17, 8:45 p.m., Olympic Theater Orchestra, directed by Alexander Lonquich, will perform symphonic music from Mendelssohn to Shostachovich. Cost ranges from €22 adults, €16 senior over 60, and €12 for under 30.
•Dec. 21, 8:45 p.m., Christmas Concert performed by the San Rocco Scuola directed by Maestro Francesco Erle. A great performance to celebrate the 25th year of the choir. Cost: €22 adults, €16 senior over 60, and €12 for under 30.
•Dec. 23, 5 p.m., Grace Gospel Choir in Vicenza. Cost: €18.25 adults and €14.75 under 12.
•Dec. 31, 10 p.m., New Year's Eve Great Concert with the Orchestra from Olympic Theater directed by Maestro Federico Guglielmino. The special traditional performance will be followed with a toast to the New Year. Cost: €50 adults, €40 senior over 65, and €20 under 30.
•Jan. 1, 5 p.m., the Russian State Ballet Lezginka in "Caucasian Passion," an exciting show suitable for the whole family. Cost: €29 adults, €23 senior over 65, and €15 under 30.
Christmas Street Market
Dec. 16-23, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Isola Vicentina, Piazza Marconi. Local crafts and workshops for everyone. Panettone cake, hot chocolate, frittelle (fried cakes) and vin brule` (mulled wine).
Corri Babbo Natale Corri
Run, Santa Claus, Run: 13th Edition
Dec. 21, 10 a.m., Piazza Matteotti, Vicenza. Registration fee €8 includes a lightweight Santa running suit, hot chocolate and pandoro cake at the finish; €3 includes Santa hat and refreshment. The non-competitive run (or walk) will start from Piazza Matteotti and will take place downtown from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Vicenza Military Community is invited to partic?ipate and donations are taken in support of "Villaggio SOS Vicenza" and a local Association for Cardiopathic Children. Individuals of all ages and groups are welcome, too. 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 SOS, Via G. Silvestri, Vicenza, or may sign up and pay the day of the event before 10 a.m.
Santa's Magic Village at Gardaland
Castelnuovo del Garda, Via Derna, 4, about 45 miles west of Vicenza, 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Dec. 8-Jan. 6, Experience a magical Christmas at Gardaland. Dress up like Santa on Dec. 8, and enter the park for €15. Meet and greet with Santa Claus, Dec. 8, 15 and 22. For detailed information in English and to buy tickets online, visit https://www.gardaland.it/en/.
VICENZA
Nativity Scenes in Vicenza 10th Edition
Dec. 8- Feb. 2. 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
Capodanno
New Year's Party in Vicenza
Dec. 31, To be determined. In Piazza dei Signori, Vicenza. Live music and dancing. Check the Comune di Vicenza websits, www.comune.vicenza.it.
TUSCANY
Find events for Tuscany at any of the following websites:
www.visittuscany.com
www.firenzeturismo.it
www.turismo.pisa.it
www.tuscany-excellence.com
CONCERTS/SPORTS
Dec. 25, New York Ska Jazz Ensemble, Florence
Dec. 25, A Christmas Carol Musical, Turin
Dec. 28, Harlem Gospel Choir, Rome
March 8, Slash, featuring Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators, Milan
March 18, Florence & The Machine, Turin
March 19, Blue Man Group, Milan. *Also March 28 and 29, Florence
March 21, Joe Jackson, Bologna
March 22, Maneskin, Padova
March 23, Shawn Mendes, Bologna. *Also March 24, Turin
May 8, Metallica, Milan
May 12, Lenny Kravitz, Bologna
May 29 & 30, Elton John, Verona. *Also July 7, Lucca
June 13, Tool, Florence
June 14, Ed Sheeran, Florence. *Also June 16, Rome
July 12, Muse, Milan (San Siro)
SPORTS/OTHER
Dec. 15, Torino Supercross (Motocross), Turin
Feb. 27, Harlem Globetrotters Italian Tour, Casale Monferrato. *Also Feb. 28 in Reggio Emilia; March 1 in Florence; March 3 in Assago (Milan); and March 3 in Venice
Tickets are available in Vicenza at Media World, Palladio Shopping Center, or online at www.ticketone.it and www.geticket.it
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