Christmas Village del Torrino

A village born from the neighborhood

The Christmas Village del Torrino is much more than just a market: it is a local tradition that has been accompanying the holidays for the residents of EUR-Torrino for decades. Set up in Piazza Cina, in the 9th Municipality of Rome (Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, Lazio), the village is unanimously described by the local press as the oldest neighborhood Christmas market in the EUR area, having started when Torrino was still under construction and grown alongside its inhabitants.

The stalls and vendors

The market path winds through the wooden huts surrounding the square and remains free and open to the public. The selection is traditionally divided into three main categories:

• Regional Gastronomy: Tonara nougat from Sardinia, products from Norcia and Amatrice, Apulian bread and taralli, Umbrian truffles, and sweets and preserves rarely found in supermarkets.
• Crafts: Original and personalized gift ideas, handmade jewelry, wooden toys, leather goods, and ceramics from Viterbo and the Maghreb.
• Charity Stalls: Local associations that donate their proceeds to charitable projects, a core element of the village since its inception, in collaboration with organizations like the Associazione Solidale Bambini nel Mondo.

A Christmas designed for children

The strength of the Christmas Village lies in its family-friendly focus. Throughout the weeks, the square hosts free late-afternoon shows: baby dance and Christmas discos for the little ones, 70s and 80s music DJ sets for parents, magic shows, bubble performances, face painting, and karaoke. There is also Santa's sleigh, which has become the most popular photo backdrop in the neighborhood over the years, and the meeting with the Befana on January 6th, who distributes sweets to children to officially close the season.

When to visit

The village follows the classic Roman holiday calendar: opening around December 8th, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, and closing on January 6th, open daily from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM. The best times to visit are weekend afternoons, when the shows are concentrated, and the evenings of the week before Christmas, when the Torrino lights make the square particularly scenic.

The context: Christmas in EUR

Torrino is part of the large southern quadrant of Rome that revolves around the EUR district, with its rationalist architecture, lake, and large tree-lined avenues. During the holidays, the area offers various Christmas initiatives, but the Piazza Cina market retains a different character: no tickets, no large paid attractions, just a local market where stalls are often managed by the producers themselves. For those visiting Rome, it is an opportunity to see an authentic Roman Christmas, far from the crowds of the historic center and the more touristy markets.

Why it is worth a visit

• Free admission for the entire duration of the event.
• Selected regional food products, ideal for Christmas gifts.
• Daily free entertainment designed for families with children.
• A charitable dimension that supports local non-profit associations.

A simple and heartfelt event that reaffirms the bond between the neighborhood and its square every year.