Christmas Tales
The medieval village of Sermoneta lights up with nativity scenes, illuminations, and Santa's House
About Christmas Tales
The village of tales: Christmas in Sermoneta
With "Christmas Tales," the historic center of Sermoneta, one of the best-preserved medieval villages in Lazio, transforms for an entire month into a widespread Christmas setting. From the beginning of December until Epiphany, squares, alleys, and historic palaces light up with artistic illuminations and fill with nativity scenes created by local artisans and associations, while a packed calendar of concerts, exhibitions, guided tours, and children's events brings the town and its hamlets to life. The event is promoted by the municipal administration of Sermoneta, in the province of Latina, with the support of the Lazio Region and the collaboration of the Pro Loco, the Meraviglia association, and parish committees.
Santa's House at the Giardino degli Aranci
The heart of the festivities for families is Santa's House, set up at the Giardino degli Aranci, the viewpoint overlooking the Pontine Plain: an interactive path featuring light displays and elves, with face painting, stilt walkers, and the chance to meet Santa Claus and deliver letters. On weekends, the program is enriched with roving entertainment such as the "Gift Hunt" through the alleys, the "Night tour of the districts," and the "Instagram tour" for photography in the most picturesque corners of the village, with guided tours led by fantastical characters curated by Pro Loco and Meraviglia aps.
Nativity scenes, lights, and art exhibitions
Nativity scenes are the true stars: scattered throughout squares and alleys, they culminate in the collective exhibition set up in the church of San Giuseppe, which is awarded in early January. The Loggia dei Mercanti hosts local artistic crafts, while Palazzo Caetani, the church of San Michele, and the Abbazia di Valvisciolo host exhibitions of contemporary sacred art. In recent editions, an exhibition path dedicated to the painter Girolamo Siciolante da Sermoneta has connected the Castello Caetani, the church of San Giuseppe, and the Diocesan Museum of Sacred Art.
Music, flag-wavers, and performances
The soundtrack of the Sermoneta Christmas is provided by the "Fabrizio Caroso da Sermoneta" Band, conducted by Maestro Michele Secci, with the traditional Epiphany Concert closing the festival. There is no shortage of notable guests: the 2025-2026 edition featured singer-songwriter Roberto Casalino, who has written hits for Marco Mengoni, Tiziano Ferro, and Alessandra Amoroso, and accordionist Marco Lo Russo in a charity concert at the Abbazia di Valvisciolo. The program is completed by the flag-wavers of the Ducato Caetani, street artists, theater, and book presentations.
From Christmas Eve to the Befana, even in the hamlets
"Christmas Tales" involves the entire municipal territory: in Doganella di Ninfa, the Befana bingo, the "Burning of the Befana" bonfire, and the final concert at the parish theater take place, while Monticchio, Pontenuovo, Pontenuovo, and Sermoneta Scalo host entertainment and the distribution of stockings for children. On January 5th, the historic center comes alive with "At the Befana's House," a guided hunt through alleys and palaces.
Why visit Sermoneta at Christmas
The village of the Caetani, dominated by its imposing castle and located a few kilometers from the famous Giardino di Ninfa, offers an intimate and authentic atmosphere in December, far from the most crowded circuits: free events, genuine craftsmanship, religious and popular traditions, and illuminated medieval vistas that alone are worth the trip to the Pontine Lazio.
Christmas Tales — edition 2026
A month of events from December 6 to Epiphany
Promoted by the municipal administration with the support of the Lazio Region and the collaboration of Pro Loco, Meraviglia aps, and parish committees, the 2025-2026 edition opened on Saturday, December 6, with an artistic craft exhibition at the Loggia dei Mercanti and the presentation of the exhibition path dedicated to Girolamo Siciolante da Sermoneta across the Castello Caetani, the church of San Giuseppe, and the Diocesan Museum. Every weekend, the Giardino degli Aranci hosted "Santa's House," while the village was enlivened by themed guided tours, flag-wavers of the Ducato Caetani, concerts, and exhibitions at Palazzo Caetani and the Abbazia di Valvisciolo, leading up to the Epiphany Concert by the "Fabrizio Caroso" Band in Doganella di Ninfa.
Programme Christmas Tales 2026
The 2025-2026 program
Opening on Saturday, December 6, 2025, with an artistic craft exhibition at the Loggia dei Mercanti, local artisans' nativity scenes, and the lighting of the historic center. Main events:
- Every weekend — "Santa's House" at the Giardino degli Aranci (11:00 AM - 6:00 PM), with elves, face painting, and stilt walkers
- Exhibitions — "Contemplation Gardens" at Palazzo Caetani (10:00 AM - 1:00 PM / 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM), "Under the Gaze of the Sky" at the Abbazia di Valvisciolo (from Dec 14), collective nativity scene exhibition in the church of San Giuseppe, artistic crafts at the Loggia dei Mercanti
- Sunday, December 14 — Performance by the Ducato Caetani flag-wavers (9:30 AM) and National Dialect Poetry Prize at Castello Caetani; guided tours of Palazzo Caetani (11:00 AM)
- Saturday, December 20 — "Gift Hunt" with Santa and the elves (11:00 AM); arrival of the Peace Light from Bethlehem in Doganella (5:30 PM); Christmas concert by the "Fabrizio Caroso" Band (5:45 PM); acoustic concert by singer-songwriter Roberto Casalino at the Loggia dei Mercanti (6:30 PM); "Humbly Francis" show at the Doganella parish theater (7:00 PM)
- Sunday, December 21 — Christmas Street Dance through the village streets (10:00 AM); "Music that Warms the Heart" charity concert with Maestro Marco Lo Russo and opera singers at the Abbazia di Valvisciolo (6:00 PM)
- Saturday, January 3 — Awards ceremony for the nativity scene exhibition in the church of San Giuseppe, organized by Pro Loco
- Sunday, January 4 — "Let's Follow the Star" by parish children in the church of Santa Maria Assunta; Befana bingo at the Doganella parish theater
- Monday, January 5 — "Art and Trades Workshop" with Clementina Corbi; entertainment and stockings for children in Monticchio and Sermoneta Scalo; "At the Befana's House," guided hunt through the historic center; "Burning of the Befana" bonfire in Doganella
- Tuesday, January 6 — Epiphany Concert by the "Fabrizio Caroso da Sermoneta" Band, conducted by Maestro Michele Secci, at the Doganella parish theater
Highlights Christmas Tales 2026
- Santa's House at the Giardino degli Aranci, with elves and light displays
- Acoustic concert by Roberto Casalino, songwriter for Mengoni, Ferro, and Amoroso
- Artisanal nativity scenes and artistic illuminations throughout the medieval village
- Charity concert with Marco Lo Russo at the Abbazia di Valvisciolo
- Befana events with a bonfire in Doganella and the Epiphany Concert
Prices Christmas Tales 2026
Practical information — Christmas Tales
How to get there
Sermoneta is located in the province of Latina, about 80 km from Rome. By car: SS7 Appia or SS148 Pontina, following signs for Sermoneta; parking is available at the foot of the historic center. By train: Latina Scalo station (Rome-Naples line), about 7 km from the village, from where you can continue by taxi or car.
Admission and reservations
All events are free. Guided tours require reservations at +39 324 8821981 (Pro Loco and Meraviglia aps). Information: Municipality of Sermoneta, tel. +39 0773 30262.
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Where does it take place — Christmas Tales
Centro storico di Sermoneta e frazioni