Christmas in Lanciano

Christmas in the Frentano city

Every year, from the beginning of December until Epiphany, Lanciano transforms into a vast, widespread stage for festivities. The "Christmas in Lanciano" program, promoted by the Municipality of Lanciano in collaboration with numerous local cultural associations, artists, and writers, features over sixty events animating the city's squares, churches, museums, and theaters. Located in the heart of the Province of Chieti, in the hilly hinterland of Abruzzo, Lanciano experiences these weeks as one of the most significant moments of identity for the year.

Markets, nativity scenes, and Christmas Village

The Christmas atmosphere comes to life with the Christmas Markets, food stalls, and workshops scattered between Piazza San Lorenzo, Largo San Giovanni, and the historic districts, accompanied by the arrival of Santa Claus for the little ones. There is also the Christmas Village along Corso Trento e Trieste, the lighting of Christmas trees in Piazza Plebiscito, San Giuseppe, and Santa Rita, and nativity scene art exhibitions set up in city churches and museums, ranging from the Artistic Nativity Scene in Piazza Plebiscito to the "Riscopriamo il Presepe" (Rediscovering the Nativity) exhibition.

The Squilla, the heart of tradition

The most intense moment is the evening of December 23rd, when the Squilla rings out—the small bell located at the top of the Civic Tower in Piazza Plebiscito. The tradition has its roots in 1607, when Archbishop Paolo Tasso began a penitential pilgrimage to the small church of Iconicella to commemorate the journey of Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem. Still today, the torchlight procession leaves from the square toward the Iconicella and returns; at the sound of the Squilla, people exchange greetings, and the bells of all the city's churches join in.

Concerts, shows, and culture

The program alternates between gospel and choral concerts, theatrical performances, book presentations, and creative workshops for children and teenagers. One of the highlights is the reopening of the Teatro Fenaroli with the traditional New Year's Concert by the Estate Musicale Frentana, performed by the "Fedele Fenaroli" Orchestra. The program thus confirms itself as a journey that combines spirituality, popular memory, and cultural offerings, capable of engaging both residents and visitors to Abruzzo.

A celebration for the whole city

With a municipal investment of tens of thousands of euros and an even broader overall value thanks to the contribution of local associations, "Christmas in Lanciano" is a collaborative project spanning forty days of events. Culture, sports, gastronomy, music, and devotion create a mosaic that makes this Frentano city one of the most vibrant Christmas destinations in the Chieti area.