Christmas in Polignano a Mare
Lights, markets, and nativity scenes in the village perched above the sea
Edition 2026 not confirmed to date
This edition has not been confirmed by the organiser to date. We recommend checking before going.
About Christmas in Polignano
Christmas in the village perched above the sea
Among the most evocative holiday destinations in Puglia, Polignano a Mare (province of Bari) adorns its historic center with spectacular lighting, wooden stalls, and traditional decorations. The ancient village, perched on the Adriatic cliffs, becomes a Christmas trail where lights weave through whitewashed alleys and reach the viewpoints overlooking the sea, creating one of the most photographed settings in the Apulian festive season.
Christmas Lights
The heart of the event is the Christmas Lights project, which stretches across the entire old town with illuminated arches and displays reflecting off the Adriatic. Access is completely free: strolling through the historic center after sunset is an experience in itself, with the official lighting ceremony marking the start of the festivities in early December.
Scattered markets
The Christmas markets are not concentrated in a single area, but spread out across squares and alleys: Piazza Aldo Moro, Via San Vito, Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, Piazza San Benedetto, and the narrow streets of the historic center host exhibitors and artisans. Among the stalls, you will find Apulian ceramics, wooden objects, handmade decorations, and local culinary specialties: cartellate, pettole, candied almonds, focaccia, and panzerotti, accompanied by hot chocolate and mulled wine.
Living nativity and events
Between Christmas and the Epiphany, the historic center hosts a living nativity scene, with costumed actors reenacting the Nativity along the alleys, while other performances take place near the Abbey of San Vito by the sea. Weekends are enlivened by small concerts, street performers, creative workshops for children, roaming performances, and the arrival of Santa Claus. The calendar continues with the major New Year's Eve event in Piazza Aldo Moro and concludes with the Epiphany celebration, dedicated to children with games and the arrival of the Befana.
Why it's worth it
More than just a market, Christmas in Polignano is an immersive experience: it combines the magic of lights with the beauty of one of Puglia's most famous villages, with the added value of the sea panorama. It is the ideal opportunity to discover the historic center of Polignano a Mare in its winter attire, away from the summer crowds, amidst tradition, gastronomy, and festive atmosphere.
Christmas in Polignano — edition 2026
The dates for the 2026 edition of Christmas in Polignano a Mare have not yet been announced. Based on previous editions, the holiday season usually runs from early December to January 6th, featuring the lighting of the Christmas Lights, artisan markets spread across the squares and alleys of the historic center, a living nativity scene, and activities for children. The detailed program with times and event schedules will be published on the official Facebook page and the channels of the Municipality of Polignano a Mare.
Practical information — Christmas in Polignano
When
From the beginning of December until January 6th (Epiphany). Markets are open daily, generally from late afternoon until evening; events and shows are concentrated on weekends.
Where
Historic center of Polignano a Mare (BA), Puglia. Displays are spread across Piazza Aldo Moro, Via San Vito, Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, Piazza San Benedetto, and the alleys of the old town.
How to get there
By train: the Polignano a Mare station is on the Adriatic line (Bari-Lecce), a few minutes' walk from the center. By car: from the SS16, take the Polignano a Mare exit. By plane: Bari-Palese airport, about 45 km away.
Admission
Free access to lights and markets.
Information
Municipal Infopoint, tel. +39 080 4252336. The detailed calendar is published on the official Facebook page "Natale a Polignano a Mare".
Festival-goer photos
No photos yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Noticed an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Every proposal is verified by our team before publication.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community.
Where does it take place — Christmas in Polignano
Centro storico di Polignano a Mare
Piazza Aldo Moro, 70044 Polignano a Mare