herawärts – Laas Winter Solstice Festival of Light

The festival of light on the shortest day of the year

On December 21st, when the night is at its longest and the sun reaches its lowest point, the village of Laas (Lasa in Italian) in Val Venosta celebrates the gradual return of the light with herawärts – Laaser Lichtfest der Wintersonnwende. It is one of the most characteristic events of the Laaser Advent, the Christmas calendar that brings the village to life throughout December. The dialect name "herawärts" evokes the movement towards the light, the moment when the days slowly begin to lengthen again.

A village of white marble in Val Venosta

Laas is known throughout South Tyrol as the village of marble (Marmordorf): the precious white Laas marble, extracted from the quarries of Monte Sole, is world-famous. This identity of stone and light makes a festival dedicated to the solstice, celebrated among the streets and squares of the historic center, even more evocative. The village is located in the western part of the Autonomous Province of Bolzano, in the Trentino-Alto Adige region, in a German-speaking territory where alpine Advent traditions are deeply rooted.

The daily program

The festival unfolds throughout the day on December 21st, with an intimate and familiar atmosphere:

• Live music through the village streets all afternoon, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere;
• In the late afternoon, the We-Acoustic CoverBand from Prad am Stilfserjoch performs Christmas carols and evocative songs;
• At 6:00 PM, an Advent concert in the parish church;
• At 7:30 PM, the spectacular torch dance (Fackeltanz) by the folk dance group from Eyrs, the highlight of the evening;
• An exhibition set up in the small church of St. Marx (Marxkirche), open throughout the day.

Gastronomy and market

Taste is a protagonist of the festival: at the Laasr Liachtl-Standl stall, hearty soups and hot drinks are served to warm you up during the cold winter hours. From 6:00 PM onwards, local merchants and innkeepers offer traditional sausages accompanied by Laas sauerkraut, a local specialty. Village shops remain open throughout the day, inviting you to stroll past the festively decorated windows.

An experience for the whole family

herawärts is both a contemplative and convivial moment: the light of the torches, the Advent carols, and the warmth of the community make this solstice festival an unmissable event for those visiting Val Venosta during the Christmas season. Admission is free, and the event is designed for families, residents, and visitors alike.