Christmas in the Village

An authentic Christmas at the foot of the Gran Sasso

In the heart of Abruzzo, in the province of Teramo, the medieval village of Campli—recognized as one of the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy—celebrates the holidays with one of the most heartfelt Christmas festivals in the region: Christmas in the Village. For about a month, from the beginning of December until Epiphany, the cobblestone streets, squares, and historic palaces of the center are adorned with lights and host a packed calendar of events designed for all ages.

Village lights and festive atmosphere

The festival begins with The Village Lights, the lighting ceremony that officially kicks off the holiday season. The traditional sounds of bagpipers echo through the narrow streets, while Piazza Vittorio Emanuele hosts the awards ceremony for the "Christmas as seen by children" competition and an exhibition of works created by local schools. The calendar features a mix of concerts, performances, entertainment, and community gatherings that involve all the hamlets of the municipality.

Santa's Enchanted Village

One of the beating hearts of the event is Santa's Enchanted Village, featuring elves, fairies, games, and entertainment for the little ones. Santa Claus welcomes children, handing out gifts and sweets, turning the village squares into a fairytale setting where the magic of Christmas comes to life amidst the ancient brick architecture of Campli.

Sacred music and village concerts

Among the most anticipated events are the choral concerts hosted in the Auditorium of Santa Maria degli Angeli, often part of the "Concerts in Italy's Most Beautiful Villages" circuit. Performers have included the Sine Nomine choir and the Giuseppe Verdi Choir of Teramo, offering evenings of sacred and Christmas music in one of the town's most evocative settings.

The Living Nativity at the Capuchin Convent

The highlight of Christmas in the Village is the famous Living Nativity at the Capuchin Convent, one of the most popular re-enactments in all of Abruzzo. Across a path of about two thousand square meters, over ninety actors bring the scenes of the Nativity to life: artisan workshops (blacksmith, weaver, apothecary, potter, candlemaker, chair caner), the preparation of cheese, bread, and mulled wine, traditional taverns, shepherds with animals, travelers, and Roman centurions, leading up to the manger with the ox and the donkey. The event, organized by the Gli Amici del Convento APS association together with the Municipality of Campli and the BIM Consortium of Teramo, is free to attend.

Why it's worth the trip

Christmas in the Village is more than just a series of markets: it is an immersion into Abruzzese tradition, a way to rediscover the identity of a village that guards the Holy Stairs, the Archaeological Museum, and an intact medieval heritage. In Campli, in the Gran Sasso area of the Teramo province, Christmas is experienced at a slow pace, amidst the scent of local products, the sound of bagpipes, and the warmth of a community that opens the doors of its village.