Christmas Markets and Santa's Village

A Sabina village that lights up for Christmas

With just under two thousand inhabitants, Montorio Romano is one of those towns in the Metropolitan City of Rome that seem suspended in time during winter: stone houses huddled together, narrow alleys, the silhouette of the Lucretili Mountains in the background, and the Tiber valley opening up in the distance. For one Sunday in December, however, this silence gives way to celebration: the Christmas Markets and Santa's Village fill Piazza Risorgimento and the streets of the historic center with lights, music, and festive aromas.

The initiative began in the mid-2010s at the behest of the municipal administration and has quickly established itself as the town's most anticipated winter event: by 2018, it was already celebrating its third edition. Since then, the event has returned every December, becoming a landmark for the entire Roman Sabina and neighboring towns in the province.

Over fifty stalls featuring crafts and local products

The heart of the event is the market itself, with over fifty stalls spread along the square and adjacent streets. The selection reflects the local vocation and the shops participating:

• typical Sabina products: extra virgin olive oil, cheeses, cured meats, honey, and preserves;
• festive sweets, nougat, and traditional Latium baked goods;
• local handicrafts, wooden items, ceramics, textiles, and handmade Christmas decorations;
• gift ideas and creations from small local producers and hobbyists.

Rounding out the offerings is a food area where you can stop for a warm snack, an essential element for a day spent almost entirely outdoors.

Santa's Village and the little ones

The second soul of the event is dedicated to children. Santa's Village is set up in the heart of the town and hosts the meeting with Santa Claus, the most anticipated moment of the day. Around it, there is entertainment, creative workshops, the scenic presence of a stilt walker roaming the market, and other activities designed for families. Everything is planned so that a Sunday in December becomes a cherished childhood memory for the little ones.

Music and solidarity

The day is accompanied by the marching band, which parades through the stalls with a repertoire of Christmas carols: a typical feature of Latium village festivals, where music is enjoyed while walking rather than sitting. The market is also associated with a charity drive for Caritas, inviting visitors to contribute with food and basic necessities. It is a detail that speaks volumes about the spirit of the event: not just a simple fair, but a moment of community.

The 'Christmas Enchantment' program

The markets are part of the municipal 'Christmas Enchantment' program, a calendar of events that the Municipality of Montorio Romano dedicates to the holidays, complementing the main event with other initiatives held between December and Epiphany. Admission to the market and activities is free.

When to go

The event traditionally takes place on a single Sunday in December, generally on the weekend preceding Christmas: December 22 in 2024, December 21 in 2025. The usual hours cover the entire day, from morning until evening, when the village lights look their best. As this is a municipal event with variable dates, it is advisable to check the official announcement on the Municipality's channels in the weeks prior.

Why it's worth the trip

Compared to the large Christmas villages in the capital, Montorio Romano offers something different: a human scale, affordable prices, direct contact with producers, and the authentic feeling of participating in a town festival rather than visiting a commercial attraction. For those living in Rome, it is a trip of just over an hour that also allows you to discover the village's heritage and the landscape of the Lucretili Mountains in their winter guise.