Christmas Under the Starry Sky

A cozy Christmas under the arcades of Egna

In the historic center of Egna/Neumarkt, one of the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy located in the Bassa Atesina along the Wine Road, the "Christmas Under the Starry Sky" market (known in German as Weihnachten unter dem Sternenhimmel or Laubenweihnacht) lights up the Advent season with an intimate and contemplative atmosphere. The typical Venetian-style houses and the long medieval arcades of the village—located in the province of Bolzano, in Trentino-Alto Adige—provide the perfect backdrop for a Christmas trail far from the crowds, designed for those seeking authenticity and tranquility.

Huts and South Tyrolean specialties

Along the arcades, you will find wooden huts offering artisanal products, decorations, and local gastronomic specialties. Egna is known as the "village of cookies," and there is no shortage of homemade sweets, wines from the Wine Road, spit-roasted bread, and typical South Tyrolean delicacies. The focus is on the quality of local products and craftsmanship, all in a refined and understated setting.

The living nativity scene and attractions

The emotional heart of the event is the living nativity scene, staged for over thirty years by the Heimatbühne Neumarkt, the local theater company, which brings the Nativity to life on select December afternoons with Mary, Joseph, the Baby Jesus, and the village artisans. Other attractions include horse-drawn carriage rides through the village streets, choirs, alpine horn players, and the extraordinary miniature city by Ivo Radakovich, a work of great detail beloved by visitors. Families with children will find workshops and entertainment throughout the weekends.

A community-driven event

Alongside the market, the Lions Club Egna charity initiative is hosted in the courtyard of Palazzo Zenobio Albrizzi. Admission to the market is free, and the event, organized by Neumarkt Marketing & Entwicklung, remains one of the most charming destinations in the South Tyrolean Advent for those wishing to experience Christmas in an authentic, historic village.