Appiano Advent / Eppan Advent

An Advent celebration across the villages of Appiano

Appiano Advent, known in German as Eppan Advent, is the widespread Christmas festival of the municipality of Appiano sulla strada del vino / Eppan an der Weinstraße, located in the province of Bolzano, the heart of South Tyrol and its famous Wine Road. From late November until Epiphany, three of the local villages dress up for the holidays each weekend, showcasing sparkling lights, local handicrafts, and gastronomic specialties, each with its own unique character. Far from the hustle and bustle of large city markets, the Appiano Advent offers an intimate and genuine atmosphere, nestled among the vineyards and historic villages of South Tyrol.

San Michele: the Christkindlmarkt

In the center of San Michele, around the Town Hall Square decorated with glowing stars, a small but curated Christmas market comes to life. The wooden stalls offer artisanal creations by South Tyrolean masters—many signed by exhibitors of SelberGMOCHT Südtirol (the handmade crafts initiative)—alongside local products, sweets, and mulled wine. The market is open on Advent weekends as well as December 8th and 24th, and also hosts a visit from St. Nicholas.

Cornaiano: where wine meets Christmas

In Cornaiano (Girlan), the Advent is titled Wei(h)nachten in Girlan, where wine meets Christmas: approximately 35 works of art created from old wine barrel staves transform the streets of the wine village into an evocative open-air museum, becoming even more enchanting at night when the installations light up. One of the most anticipated moments here is the parade of St. Nicholas and the Krampus by the Wildmonn-Tuifl, featuring torches and traditional alpine masks.

San Paolo: nativity scenes around the cathedral

In San Paolo, the Advent (Paulsner Advent) takes on a more contemplative tone: until January 6th, handcrafted nativity scenes, illuminated every evening, adorn the spaces around the majestic cathedral, known as the "cathedral in the countryside." During the third weekend of Advent, the "Handwerk am Dom" market and a living nativity scene are added to the village square.

For families and children

The program dedicates plenty of space to the little ones with KidsXmas, typically held on the second weekend of Advent in San Michele: pony rides, creative and drawing workshops, puppet shows, and trekking with alpacas and llamas. There is no shortage of concerts, Christmas choirs, and, in some villages, carriage rides.

A South Tyrolean Christmas in the municipality of Appiano

Located just minutes from Bolzano in the Oltradige area, the municipality of Appiano sulla strada del vino is one of the most characteristic villages in South Tyrol, famous for its wines and its landscape of castles and vineyards. Its widespread Advent allows visitors to discover the culture, craftsmanship, and gastronomy of South Tyrol in an intimate and authentic setting, ideal for those seeking a Christmas market experience away from the large crowds.