Christmas in Valdaora / Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas Market)

Dolomite Christmas in Valdaora

In the heart of the Puster Valley, at the foot of Plan de Corones, the municipality of Valdaora/Olang celebrates Advent with a widespread Christmas project known as "Christmas in Valdaora". Rather than a traditional market with dozens of stalls, it is an atmospheric journey that blends art, light, and Alpine tradition, turning the center of Valdaora di Mezzo (Mitterolang) into an open-air gallery. It is the authentic, understated Christmas of South Tyrol, far from the crowds of large city markets.

holzART: Wood and light through the streets

The artistic heart of the event is the holzART exhibition: illuminated wooden installations that reinterpret Christmas symbols are set up along the village streets and squares. Sparkling stars, angels, and glowing hearts guide visitors on a charming evening stroll, where wood—the signature material of the Dolomites—interacts with light. The works, created with the ingenuity of local artisans, give the village a warm and intimate character.

dolomites.light.zoo

A few steps away, the park of Valdaora di Mezzo hosts the dolomites.light.zoo luminous trail: twelve corten steel steles, inspired by the Dolomite peaks and dedicated to the animals of the Fanes-Senes-Braies Nature Park. The glowing silhouettes tell stories of mountain life and become a true adventure for children, who discover Dolomite fauna by playing with hidden buttons and animal sounds. An installation that combines nature, art, and sustainability.

St. Nicholas and Advent traditions

True to South Tyrolean tradition, Advent in Valdaora is marked by the figure of St. Nicholas (Hl. Nikolaus): the festival animates Piazza Floriani (Florianiplatz), where the Saint meets children in an atmosphere of warmth and anticipation. In the neighboring villages of the valley, the ancient custom of the Krampus—the masks that legend says accompany St. Nicholas—also comes to life.

A Christmas at the foot of Plan de Corones

Valdaora is an ideal starting point for discovering Christmas in the Plan de Corones Dolomite region, including the markets of Brunico, Dobbiaco, San Candido, and the Anterselva Valley. The "Christmas in Valdaora" project is part of the broader South Tyrolean Christmas calendar, offering an intimate, family-friendly experience immersed in the snowy landscape of Trentino-South Tyrol.

Useful Information

• Municipality: Valdaora/Olang (Autonomous Province of Bolzano)
• Location: Valdaora di Mezzo/Mitterolang, Piazza Floriani and village center
• Admission: Free
• Period: Advent, during the Christmas season of the Plan de Corones region