Christmas in Palestrina / Santa Claus Village in Carchitti

Prenestino Christmas, a festival that lights up the whole city

Every year, from December 6th to January 6th, the town of Palestrina — the ancient Praeneste, in the Province of Rome, Lazio — turns into a large, widespread Christmas village. Streets and squares sparkle with lights, while the program weaves together tradition, culture, entertainment, and family-oriented activities, highlighting the Monti Prenestini area. The initiative is promoted by the Pro Loco Palestrina APS with the patronage of the Municipality of Palestrina, the Lazio Region, and the Metropolitan City of Rome Capital.

The ice skating rink in Piazza Regina Margherita

The beating heart of the event is the ice skating rink set up in Piazza Regina Margherita, open throughout the holidays. It is the meeting point for local youth and families coming up from Rome for a day trip: around the rink, you will find DJ sets, artistic performances, and entertainment, in an atmosphere that blends a small-town feel with the scenic charm of a big city.

Markets, crafts, and local products

Along the streets of the historic center and in the squares, artisan markets open up, featuring local exhibitors, gift ideas, handicrafts, and gastronomic specialties from the Prenestino area. The route is designed to be experienced at a leisurely pace, and it is naturally integrated with the shops and venues of the center, which remain open in the evening.

• Christmas markets with crafts and local products
• Street performances and music along streets and squares
• Creative workshops for children
• Nativity scene exhibitions
• Christmas concerts in the city churches

The Santa Claus Village in Carchitti

The major novelty that has expanded the festival's footprint is the Santa Claus Village set up in the hamlet of Carchitti, inaugurated on December 7th with the arrival of Santa Claus. It is a village designed for children, featuring popcorn, hot chocolate, cotton candy, and, above all, photos with Santa. To close the festivities, the Befana also makes a surprise appearance. For the community of Carchitti — already known for its Strawberry Festival in the spring — this is the first true Christmas village, and the turnout has quickly made it one of the most anticipated events of the season.

Nativity scenes and religious tradition

The Prenestino Christmas maintains a strong devotional component. Among the most beloved events is the Nativity Scenes in the Cloister exhibition, set up in the convent of San Francesco, where artistic nativity scenes created by enthusiasts and associations fill the cloister. The city's churches, including the Church of Santa Maria dell'Acquedotto, host concerts and celebrations that mark the weeks leading up to Epiphany.

A Christmas just a stone's throw from Rome

Palestrina is one of the most convenient destinations for those looking for a traditional Christmas without straying too far from the capital: less than forty kilometers separate the town from Rome. The city is famous for the Sanctuary of Fortuna Primigenia, one of the most impressive sanctuary complexes of ancient Italy, and for being the birthplace of the composer Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina. Visiting the city during the holidays means combining the atmosphere of the markets with the discovery of top-tier archaeological and musical heritage.

Why it's worth visiting

The Prenestino Christmas is not just a single evening but a whole month of free, widespread events, well-suited for both a short visit and a full weekend. The combination of the illuminated historic center, the ice rink, the markets, and the Carchitti village ensures a program that works for all ages, from children to grandparents.