Christmas in Nusco
The holiday program on the Balcony of Irpinia
About Christmas in Nusco
A widespread Christmas in one of the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy
Christmas in Nusco is not just a single event, but a widespread program that, every year between December and January, brings the historic center of the town of Nusco, in the province of Avellino, to life in the heart of Irpinia (Campania). The village, nicknamed the Balcony of Irpinia for its panoramic position overlooking the Upper Calore Valley, is part of the 'Most Beautiful Villages in Italy' circuit: the setting is naturally perfect, with stone alleys, stairways, and viewpoints that fill with festive lights in winter.
The format is typical of small Apennine towns: no massive stages, but a succession of short, intimate events distributed between the Co-Cathedral, the Municipal Villa, the Pro Loco headquarters, the Misericordia, and the village squares. It is a community-driven Christmas, where participation matters more than spectacle.
What to expect in the program
The program changes from year to year, but some key elements return regularly, defining the identity of the event:
- Santa's House, set up by the Pro Loco Nusco in Piazza De Sanctis, dedicated to children in the days leading up to December 25th.
- Traditional bagpipers, who roam the village streets playing melodies from the Apennine pastoral tradition: one of the most iconic moments of the entire calendar.
- Concerts in the Co-Cathedral of Sant'Amato, dedicated to the town's first bishop and patron saint, featuring the 'Sant'Amato' Polyphonic Choir and performances by local school students.
- Tombolate (Bingo games), a true social ritual of the Southern Italian Christmas, organized in rotation at the Pro Loco, the Misericordia, and local districts like Ponteromito.
- Theatrical performances and entertainment evenings, generally held between New Year's Eve and Epiphany.
- Festive lights and nativity scene exhibitions, which remain open throughout the duration of the program.
A calendar that lasts until the Befana
The feature that distinguishes Christmas in Nusco from many similar initiatives is its duration: the program does not end on December 25th but continues throughout the holidays, concluding with the event dedicated to the arrival of the Befana on January 5th or 6th. This is a deliberate choice by the municipal administration and local associations, who aim to keep the village vibrant even during the days when small inland towns usually empty out.
It is no coincidence that the Nusco Christmas period ideally connects with another of the town's hallmark events, The Night of the Bonfires, which lights ritual fires dedicated to Saint Anthony Abbot in mid-January. Visitors to Nusco between December and January will find a territory in full cultural swing.
The village beyond the festivities
A visit to Nusco during the holidays is also an opportunity to discover a remarkable heritage for a town of just a few thousand inhabitants: the Co-Cathedral of Sant'Amato, the medieval historic center with its stone portals, the viewpoints over the valley, and the artisan workshops. Local gastronomy accompanies the visit with products from Upper Irpinia—cheeses, cured meats, fresh pasta, the famous Nusco mint (the star of the town's summer festival)—and traditional Campanian Christmas sweets, from roccocò to struffoli.
Why it's worth the trip
Christmas in Nusco is a family-friendly event, almost entirely free, that restores the authentic atmosphere of the holidays in a town in the Campanian Apennines. There are no huge crowds or long queues: just the sound of bagpipes echoing through the alleys, a choir singing under the vaults of a co-cathedral, and children waiting for the bingo draw. For those seeking a Christmas away from commercial tourist routes, the Balcony of Irpinia is one of the most compelling destinations in inland Campania.
Christmas in Nusco — edition 2026
A month of events on the Balcony of Irpinia
The Christmas in Nusco 2025 program ran from December 6, 2025, to January 5, 2026, covering the entire holiday period. The format confirmed the community-oriented nature of the event: short events distributed between the Co-Cathedral, the Pro Loco headquarters, the Misericordia, Piazza De Sanctis, and the district of Ponteromito, almost all with free admission.
The weekend of December 20th and 21st was the busiest, with Santa's House open to children and the bagpipers passing through the village streets. The musical highlight occurred on December 28th with the Verbum Caro Factum Est concert by the 'Sant'Amato' Polyphonic Choir in the Co-Cathedral.
The bingo games—three on the calendar, between Ponteromito, the Pro Loco, and the Misericordia—marked the central days of the holidays, while the Misericordia hosted a theatrical performance on January 2nd. The closing event on January 5th was dedicated to 'Waiting for the Befana', featuring a bingo game for children.
Programme Christmas in Nusco 2026
Christmas in Nusco 2025-2026 Program
- Saturday, December 6, 2025 — Launch of the Christmas program and installation of lights in the historic center.
- Saturday, December 20 and Sunday, December 21, 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM — Santa's House, Piazza De Sanctis, organized by Pro Loco Nusco.
- Sunday, December 21, 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM — Bagpipers through the village streets, playing traditional Irpinian Christmas melodies.
- Monday, December 22, 5:00 PM — Student concert at the Co-Cathedral of Sant'Amato.
- Monday, December 22, 8:30 PM — Bingo game in Ponteromito, at the Nursery School.
- Tuesday, December 23, 5:00 PM — Children's bingo at the Pro Loco Nusco headquarters.
- Sunday, December 28, 7:30 PM — Verbum Caro Factum Est concert performed by the 'Sant'Amato' Polyphonic Choir, Co-Cathedral.
- Tuesday, December 30, 5:00 PM — Bingo at the Misericordia.
- Friday, January 2, 2026, 8:30 PM — Theatrical performance at the Misericordia.
- Monday, January 5, 2026, 5:00 PM — Waiting for the Befana, children's bingo.
Program distributed by the Municipality of Nusco via the Sistema Irpinia portal of the Province of Avellino. Any changes to times or locations were communicated on the social media channels of the Municipality and the Pro Loco.
Highlights Christmas in Nusco 2026
- Santa's House in Piazza De Sanctis (December 20-21), the most anticipated event for families.
- Bagpipers in the village on December 21: the most iconic moment of the calendar, linked to the Apennine pastoral tradition.
- Verbum Caro Factum Est Concert by the 'Sant'Amato' Polyphonic Choir in the Co-Cathedral, December 28.
- Three bingo games distributed between the village and the district of Ponteromito, between December 22 and 30.
- Theatrical performance on January 2 at the Misericordia.
- Waiting for the Befana on January 5, with the closing event dedicated to children.
Prices Christmas in Nusco 2026
Practical information — Christmas in Nusco
How to get there
By car: Nusco can be reached via the A16 Naples-Canosa motorway, taking the Lioni-Grottaminarda exit, then continuing along the Lioni-Grottaminarda junction (SS 7 Ofantina) towards Nusco. From Avellino, the journey takes about 50 minutes; from Naples, a little over an hour and a half.
By train: the nearest useful stations are Avellino or Lioni; the final leg must be completed by car or regional bus lines.
By plane: Naples-Capodichino airport, approximately 120 km away.
Admission and prices
The events in the Christmas program are generally free and open to the public. Some initiatives organized by associations (bingo games, social lunches, workshops) may require a symbolic contribution or prior registration.
Practical tips
- Nusco is located at an altitude of over 900 meters: in December and January, temperatures are cold, and snow is not uncommon. Heavy winter clothing and shoes suitable for stone alleys are essential.
- The historic center is pedestrianized and hilly: it is best to park in the areas below the village and walk up.
- Event times are mostly in the afternoon and evening. It is advisable to check the updated program on the official channels of the Municipality of Nusco and the Pro Loco before setting off.
- For accommodation, the offer is concentrated in farmhouses (agriturismi) and bed and breakfasts in Upper Irpinia: it is best to book in advance during the period between Christmas and Epiphany.
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Where does it take place — Christmas in Nusco
Centro storico di Nusco
Via San Giovanni 2, 83051 Nusco