A programme full of events
Around the traditional tree decorated in Piazza della Riforma, there will be many moments to enjoy in company with the Christmas markets that will animate the streets of the city centre, gastronomy, live music, entertainment proposals, festive Christmas decorations and the awaited New Year’s Eve Party in the square. Ciani Park will also light up and shine with magic, hosting the Enchanted Forest with many corners of light to discover.
The markets are also open in the event of rain or snow. Individual events and animations may, however, be subject to change depending on the weather situation. Please check the website for all updates.
Find out
HIGHLIGHTS
Villaggio Family
Christmas Edition
22.12.2023 – 07.01.2024 | Asilo Ciani
Monday - Friday 2 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Saturday - Sunday 11 a.m. - 18:00
**Closed on 25 and 26 December. On 24 and 31 December early closure at 4 p.m..
The Asilo Ciani will be transformed into a wonderful Christmas Village dedicated to families with many games for all ages. Admission is free.
Christmas Market
01.12 - 24.12.2023 | City Centre*
11 a.m. - 07 p.m., 24.12 closure at 5 p.m.
With over 60 traditional wooden booths, the Christmas market will animate the city centre, offering local handicrafts, Christmas decorations and seasonal gastronomic specialities.
*Piazza Manzoni, Via Nassa, Piazzetta Maraini, Piazza San Carlo and Piazza Dante
Chalet del gusto
01.12 - 07.01.2024 | Piazza della Riforma
lunedì - mercoledì 15:00 - 24:00
giovedì e venerdi 15:00 - 01:00sabato e festivi 11:00 - 01:00
domenica 11:00 - 24:00
Appuntamento sotto l’albero dedicato alla gastronomia. Una meta ideale per assaporare prelibatezze invernali, accompagnati da un piacevole sottofondo musical.
Magic of Christmas Video Mapping Show
2-3. / 9-10. / 16 -17.12, between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Piazza della Riforma
Miraculous light emotions create a fantastic scene on the waves of the Christmas atmosphere, through a combination of animated images, an immersion in the imagery of Christmas, with the colours and lights of the festivities and with background music.
Da Rudolph
01 - 24.12 | Piazza Manzoni
11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
24 December early closure at 5 p.m.
A little wooden house accompanies the days of Christmas in the Piazza, offering a moment of relaxation amidst the lights and decorations. At Rudolph's you can enjoy a cup of hot chocolate, American coffee, tea or mulled wine, while a variety of sweets await you at snack time. To take home a little piece of Christmas atmosphere, you can buy square Christmas mugs, moulds and biscuit cutters here.
La Baita
01.12 – 23.12.2023 | Piazza Manzoni
Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and public holidays
A warm and magical Christmas chalet with lots of fun activities for children: play area, workshops, stories, shows and animation.
Christmas shopping
Sunday 17 December, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday 24 December, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday 31 December, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
City Centre
Take advantage of the ordinary markets and special openings of the city centre shops for your Christmas shopping
Extraordinary openings on 17.12 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. - 24.12 - 31.12 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., including large retailers. Small retailers open on 3.12, 8.12 and 10.12.
Food and flower market every Tuesday and Friday from 07:30 to 14:30 (Piazzetta della Posta, Via Carducci, Piazza San Rocco and Via Canova). Antiques and crafts market on Saturdays from 08:00 to 17:00 (Via Carducci, Piazza San Rocco, Via Canova, Piazzetta Canova)
Advent Calendar
01 - 25.12 | Online
24 little doors full of surprises and fantastic daily prizes up for grabs! Make the countdown to Christmas more fun, find the box of the day and take part in the game!
Enchanted Forest and Storytelling Tree
01.12.2023 – 07.01.2024 | Parco Ciani
Lighting from 5 p.m., Park closing at 9 p.m.
Parco Ciani Ciani will be the setting for the atmospheric Enchanted Forest. .A light trail through trees and flowerbeds will accompany adults and children on a walk to discover wonderful corners of light. This year the park welcomes a special guest: a cheerful animated tree that will delight children with its Christmas stories (every half hour, last story at 8.30 p.m.). A unique experience just a few steps from the centre to experience the magic of Christmas in contact with nature.
New Year's Eve
31.12 from 10 p.m. | Piazza della Riforma and Piazza Manzoni
Una grande festa da Piazza della Riforma e Piazza Manzoni tutti insieme per celebrare l’arrivo del nuovo anno. In programma con la diretta RSI, DJ set d'atmosfera, un emozionante conto alla rovescia, e un esplosivo concerto dei Vad Vuc.
New Year's Eve Ceremony
01.01.2024 | City Center
from 11 a.m.
The New Year's Eve celebrations will begin on Monday, 1 January 2024 at 11 a.m., with a procession of the city's authorities and associations. The procession will start from Piazza della Riforma in the direction of Piazza Manzoni, will follow Riva Albertolli and will then reach Palazzo dei Congressi, where the official part and a convivial moment will be held. After the presentations of the Civic Fire Brigade and the Luganese Volunteer Corps to the Mayor of Lugano Michele Foletti and the performances of the Civic Philharmonic of Lugano, the ceremony will begin at 11.30 a.m. in the amphitheatre hall of the Palazzo dei Congressi. Speeches by Lugano Mayor Michele Foletti and Marco Solari, Lugano citizen and former president of the Locarno Film Festival, are scheduled, who will convey to all present a reflection and a wish that may accompany them in the New Year. The ceremony, conducted by Davide Riva, RSI journalist, will also be enlivened by artistic and musical interludes. At approximately 12.30 p.m. there will follow an aperitif offered by the City and the exchange of New Year's greetings in Hall B of the Palazzo dei Congressi.
MAP
Save the map on your device and discover all the attractions of Christmas in the Square.
CALENDAR
More than 90 events, concerts, workshops, markets and DJ sets. Discover all events at a click.
USEFUL INFO
Switzerland Tourism 2X1 Market Promo
20.11 - 20.12
With Switzerland Tourism's promo visit Lugano's markets from Italy for half the price
Offer for a Christmas in Lugano
01.12 - 07.01.2024
Book your Christmas holiday and take advantage of the 20% discount: Lugano Region gives you entry to the Splash & Spa Tamaro and a cruise on Lake Lugano.
Muoversi a Lugano
Tutte le informazioni su come arrivare a Lugano, trasporti pubblici, posteggi per mezzi privati e bus turistici.