Christmas from the Village to the Sea (Christmas markets)
Markets, local flavors, and entertainment between the historic center of Vibonati and the Villammare seafront
About Christmas from the Village to the Sea
Two souls, one holiday festival
In December 2025, the Municipality of Vibonati, in southern Cilento in the province of Salerno (Campania), launched the first edition of Christmas from the Village to the Sea: a widespread festival that brings together the two souls of the municipal territory. On one side, the ancient village perched in the hills, known as the 'village of portals' for its elegant stone entrances; on the other, Villammare, the coastal hamlet overlooking the Gulf of Policastro, with its seafront that takes on a completely different atmosphere in winter. The event's title perfectly captures this journey: starting from the village and arriving at the sea.
Markets in the courtyards of ancient palaces
The format chosen by the organizers avoids the classic wooden stalls lined up in the square, opting instead for the existing spaces of the historic center. Exhibitors are hosted in the courtyards of ancient palaces, under historic portals, in small squares, and along the narrow streets of the village, with light installations and Christmas-themed artistic projections that transform the facades into backdrops. The result is a walking itinerary where every corner holds a surprise.
- Wood, fabric, and plaster artisans
- Local farmers, breweries, and wineries
- Chestnut producers and Christmas gift ideas
- Food stalls with holiday specialties
The flavors of Cilento
The food and wine experience accompanies the entire route: roasted chestnuts, local cured meats, zeppole prepared according to tradition, Christmas sweets, and tastings of typical products. There is no shortage of events built around the Mediterranean diet, which in Cilento is not just a tourist slogan but a recognized heritage: lagane and chickpeas, bruschetta with local extra virgin olive oil, and artisanal panettone and pandoro from local pastry chefs.
Music, shows, and entertainment
Every weekend features concerts, street performers, creative workshops, and shows for children. Schools in the Sapri area are directly involved, with the music high school orchestra and student choirs performing in the village churches, while students from the hospitality school manage the tastings. The final weekend features the living nativity scene, bagpipers, and fireworks to close the festival.
The Logos Museum and Santa's Village
One of the event's highlights is the opportunity to visit the Logos Museum during the holiday weekends, set up in the former convent at the entrance to Vibonati: 2,500 years of history told in 27 scenes with about 3,500 statues. Inside the museum, you will find Santa's Village, a must-see for families with children. The guided tour also includes the Sanctuary of Sant'Antonio Abate, historic churches, and the house where, according to local tradition, Garibaldi stayed, complete with its ancient olive press.
Sundays on the Villammare seafront
If Fridays and Saturdays belong to the village, on Sundays the focus shifts to the coast. On the Villammare seafront, stalls remain open from morning until evening, with music, tastings, fashion shows from local boutiques, and family activities. It is one of the few opportunities to experience the Gulf of Policastro outside the beach season, with the winter sea as a backdrop for toasts and concerts.
A community project
The festival was born from an idea of the Municipality of Vibonati, realized in collaboration with 105 TV and the Logos Museum, and involving local associations, merchants, and producers. Exhibition spaces are provided free of charge to operators, with the stated goal of promoting local craftsmanship and offering residents and visitors a full month of events. For a town of a few thousand inhabitants, it is also a concrete way to enliven the historic center during the months when Cilento's beach tourism is at a standstill.
Christmas from the Village to the Sea — edition 2026
Five weekends between village and sea
Promoted by the Municipality of Vibonati together with 105 TV and the Logos Museum, the first edition of the festival occupied every weekend of the holidays. In Vibonati, stands opened on Fridays and Saturdays from 4:00 PM, among the alleys, stone arches, small squares, and courtyards of historic palaces, illuminated by light installations and artistic projections. On Sundays, the event moved to the Villammare seafront, from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM, with markets, music, and tastings overlooking the Gulf of Policastro.
Craftsmanship and local products
Wood, fabric, and plaster artisans participated, along with beer and wine producers, agricultural companies, and chestnut producers, together with food stalls offering roasted chestnuts, Cilento cured meats, zeppole, and Christmas sweets. Exhibition spaces were provided free of charge by the Municipality, with only the setup costs borne by the exhibitors.
Visits and attractions
During the weekends, it was possible to participate in guided tours to discover the village, including the Sanctuary of Sant'Antonio Abate, historic portals, churches, and the Logos Museum, which tells 2,500 years of history in 27 scenes with about 3,500 statues and also hosted Santa's Village.
Programme Christmas from the Village to the Sea 2026
Friday, December 5, 2025 — Vibonati, historic center
- From 4:00 PM: Ribbon cutting and opening of the markets in the village alleys
- 6:00 PM: Concert by the Sapri music high school orchestra, with tastings by hospitality school students
- Children's projections and entertainment with mascots
Weekend of December 12-14, 2025
- Friday 12, 4:00 PM — Palazzo De Nicolelis: Traditional preparation of Christmas zeppole
- Friday 12, 6:30 PM — Palazzo De Nicolelis: Meeting with chef Maria Rina of the restaurant Il Ghiottone
- Friday 12, 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM — Palazzo Gerbasi: Screening of the film "Home Alone"
- Debut of artisanal panettone and pandoro from the restaurant Zi Filumena of Caselle in Pittari (traditional, chocolate, apricot)
- Saturday 13, 6:30 PM — Church of the Santissima Annunziata: Christmas concert by students of the Istituto Comprensivo Santa Croce of Sapri
- Sunday 14: Markets, music, entertainment, and traditional flavors
Weekend of December 19-21, 2025
- Friday 19, 4:30 PM: Opening of the markets with roasted chestnuts and music by Alessandro Gaudio
- Friday 19, 5:30 PM — Piazza Olmo: Meeting "Mediterranean Diet and Sustainable Development", with tasting of lagane and chickpeas and bruschetta with oil from La Valle del Lupo
- Saturday 20, 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM: Felt workshop "The art of DIY gifting" by Aps Auss
- Saturday 20, 4:30 PM: Markets and local flavors
- Saturday 20, 5:30 PM: "Solidarity Christmas" with first aid demonstration by the Carmine and Francesco Speranza Association
- Saturday 20, 8:00 PM: Christmas toast at the Lovers' Bench
- Sunday 21, 10:30 AM to 7:00 PM — Villammare seafront: Markets, with fashion shows from Martorelli, Betty Ben, and Idexè boutiques from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM and a toast in the small square by the sea
Final weekend, January 2-4, 2026
- Friday 2 — Vibonati: Music by accordionist Alessandro Gaudio and tombola in the alleys
- Saturday 3, from 5:00 PM — Vibonati: Living nativity scene and bagpipers in the village
- Saturday 3, 8:00 PM: Fireworks display
- Sunday 4, from 10:30 AM — Villammare seafront: Markets and music by Tornino Speranza
- Sunday 4, 7:00 PM: Closing of the festival with fireworks by the sea
Highlights Christmas from the Village to the Sea 2026
- Markets set up in the courtyards of ancient palaces and under historic portals in Vibonati
- Christmas-themed light installations and artistic projections in the village
- Living nativity scene and bagpipers during the Epiphany weekend
- Two fireworks displays: in the village on January 3 and by the sea on January 4
- Sundays on the Villammare seafront, with views of the Gulf of Policastro
- Santa's Village and visits to the Logos Museum (27 scenes, about 3,500 statues)
- Roasted chestnuts, zeppole, Cilento cured meats, and artisanal panettone
Prices Christmas from the Village to the Sea 2026
Practical information — Christmas from the Village to the Sea
How to get there
By train: the reference station is Sapri, on the Salerno-Reggio Calabria line, also served by long-distance trains; from there, Villammare is about 3 km away and connected by local buses. By car: take the SS 18 Tirrena Inferiore, which crosses the municipal territory; those arriving from the A2 del Mediterraneo motorway should exit at Padula-Buonabitacolo and continue towards the Gulf of Policastro. The historic center of Vibonati is pedestrian-only: it is best to leave your car in the parking lots at the entrance to the town.
Admission and hours
Admission to the markets and shows is free. In Vibonati, stands open on Fridays and Saturdays from 4:00 PM, while on Sundays the event moves to the Villammare seafront, from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Tastings and purchases at the stalls are paid.
Tips
The village is characterized by narrow alleys, stairways, and stone arches: comfortable shoes and clothing suitable for winter evenings are recommended. Combine your visit with the Logos Museum, the Sanctuary of Sant'Antonio Abate, and a walk along the Villammare seafront. For updated information on the program and how to participate as an exhibitor, you can contact the Municipality of Vibonati (tel. +39 0973 301611).
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Where does it take place — Christmas from the Village to the Sea
Centro storico di Vibonati e lungomare di Villammare