Christmas at the Fort
Edition 2026 Sacred music Gastronomy Local produce

Christmas at the Fort

Holiday festivities in the pearl of Versilia, featuring lights, markets, and a Christmas that arrives from the sea.

Forte dei Marmi — Lucca (046)
Dates 28 Nov — 06 Jan 2027
Location Forte dei Marmi (046)
Prices Free
Status Confirmed

About Christmas at the Fort

From November 28th to January 6th, Forte dei Marmi transforms into a festive village overlooking the Versilia sea. Christmas at the Fort brings sparkling illuminations to the town center, the Christmas market in Piazza Dante, the Santa Claus Kingdom at the Fortino Leopoldo I, an ice skating rink at the Pineta Tarabella, and a grand illuminated tree on the famous Pier. Concerts, street performances, and workshops for children bring the entire holiday season to life in one of the most elegant towns on the Tuscan coast.

The most sparkling Christmas in Versilia

Every winter, the center of Forte dei Marmi, the seaside pearl of Versilia in the province of Lucca, dresses up for the holidays with Christmas at the Fort, a series of events that accompanies the town from the end of November until Epiphany. Promoted by the Municipality of Forte dei Marmi together with the Villa Bertelli Foundation and the Forte Forte Tutto l'Anno association, the event transforms squares, streets, and the famous Pier into a grand festive village overlooking the sea.

A Christmas that arrives from the sea

The distinctive feature of Christmas at the Fort is its connection to the sea. The opening evening features a suggestive torchlight procession that moves from the water to the Pier, with the Forte lifeguards leading the ritual of lighting the illuminations. It is an image that encapsulates the town's identity, where the beach and seaside life remain central even in the heart of winter. The lighting of the grand tree and the decorations officially kicks off the festivities.

Markets, ice rink, and Santa Claus Kingdom

The commercial and social heart of the event is the Christmas market in Piazza Dante, with wooden stalls dedicated to handicrafts, gift ideas, and gourmet products. At Fortino Leopoldo I, the ancient fortress that is a symbol of the town, the Santa Claus Kingdom comes to life with immersive installations and experiences designed for families. At the Pineta Tarabella, an ice skating rink is installed, one of the most beloved attractions, which remains open until mid-January.

Concerts, shows, and entertainment

  • Street performances, parades, and light shows in the town center
  • Gospel concerts and live music throughout the holidays
  • Creative workshops, face painting, and entertainment for the little ones
  • The grand New Year's Eve celebration in Piazza Garibaldi, with live music and DJ sets
  • The New Year's Day Concert on January 1st and the Befana festival on January 6th

An elegant and familiar atmosphere

Christmas at the Fort combines the worldly charm that has made Forte dei Marmi famous with an authentically familiar and village-like atmosphere. Between a stroll under the lights, a hot chocolate, and a spin on the ice, the holidays become an opportunity to discover Versilia in an intimate and luminous guise, far from the summer tourism. An unmissable event for residents, vacationers, and visitors arriving from all over Tuscany.

Christmas at the Fort — edition 2026

The 2026-2027 edition of Christmas at the Fort is confirmed on the official website: from November 28, 2026, to January 6, 2027, Forte dei Marmi lights up for the holidays. The Piazza Dante market, the Santa Claus Village, the ice skating rink, the grand tree on the pier, and the New Year's concerts in Piazza Garibaldi (December 31 and January 1) have already been announced. The detailed day-by-day program will be published in the weeks preceding the event.

The 2026-2027 edition of Christmas at the Fort takes place in Forte dei Marmi from November 28, 2026, to January 6, 2027, with dates already confirmed by the official website visitforte.com.

What has already been announced

  • Christmas Market in Piazza Dante (November 28, 2026 – January 6, 2027)
  • Santa Claus Village at Fortino Leopoldo I
  • Ice skating rink and illuminations in the center
  • The grand Christmas tree on the pier and lights on the town streets
  • New Year's Eve Concerts in Piazza Garibaldi: December 31, 2026 (10:00 PM) and January 1, 2027 (12:00 PM)

Upcoming program

The complete calendar of street performances, gospel concerts, light parades, and children's workshops is being finalized and will be announced on the official website in the weeks leading up to the holidays.

Programme Christmas at the Fort 2026

The dates for the 2026-2027 edition are official, but the detailed day-by-day program is still being defined (the official website indicates "program currently in progress"). Below are the already confirmed events.

Attractions for the entire period (November 28, 2026 – January 6, 2027)

  • Christmas Market — Piazza Dante
  • Santa Claus Village — Fortino Leopoldo I
  • Ice skating rink — dedicated area in the center
  • Illuminations and grand Christmas tree on the pier

New Year's Eve in Piazza Garibaldi

  • December 31, 2026, 10:00 PM — Concert and year-end party with live music and DJ set
  • January 1, 2027, 12:00 PM — New Year's Concert

The calendar of street performances, gospel concerts, parades, and children's workshops will be published closer to the event on the official website visitforte.com/natale-al-forte.

Highlights Christmas at the Fort 2026

Piazza Dante market, Santa Claus Village at Fortino Leopoldo I, ice skating rink, and the New Year's concerts in Piazza Garibaldi (December 31 and January 1).

Prices Christmas at the Fort 2026

Illuminations, markets, and concerts in the square are free to access. The ice skating rink and some attractions of the Santa Claus Village may require a ticket; rates to be defined.

Practical information — Christmas at the Fort

Location

Historic center of Forte dei Marmi (LU), Tuscany. Events take place mainly in Piazza Dante (market), Piazza Garibaldi (concerts and New Year's Eve), at Fortino Leopoldo I (Santa Claus Kingdom), at the Pineta Tarabella (ice rink), and along the Pier.

How to get there

By car: A12 Genoa-Livorno motorway, Versilia exit. By train: Forte dei Marmi-Seravezza-Querceta station, a few minutes from the center. Nearest airports: Pisa and Florence.

Admission

The illuminations, markets, and events in the squares are free and open to the public. The ice skating rink and some attractions at the Santa Claus Kingdom may require a ticket.

Information

Official website: visitforte.com/natale-al-forte. Email: [email protected].

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Where does it take place — Christmas at the Fort

Centro storico di Forte dei Marmi

Piazza Dante, 55042 Forte dei Marmi

Contact Christmas at the Fort

Christmas at the Fort in brief

Sacred music Gastronomy Local produce Folk traditions Folklore Family Children Art crafts Crafts Outdoor Free Lucca

History of Christmas at the Fort