Illuminandia – Christmas Park

The first edition of Illuminandia opened on Friday, 5 December 2025, with the lighting of the great light tree on 6 December, and continued until 2 February 2026. For the first time, the entire historic centre of Monopoli was adorned with Apulian light displays in carved wood, created by Faniuolo Illuminazioni of Putignano.

The outcome was record-breaking: approximately 198,000 visitors from Italy and abroad, with a +29.6% increase in tourist arrivals and +28.3% in overnight stays compared to the previous year. A result that established Monopoli as one of the reference Christmas destinations in Puglia and prompted the Municipality to confirm the event for subsequent years.

Main events

• 5 December — Inauguration: small train through the streets of the village, elves and distribution of sweets, a cappella performance by the SoulKeys (guests of Italia's Got Talent 2025) and a concert by Sergio Sylvestre (Big Boy), with the lighting of the main tree.
• 6 December — Official lighting of the 22-metre-tall light tree.
• 20 December — «Santa Claus arrives from the sea»: maritime parade with sailboats and SUPs in the old port.
• 26 December — DJ set with Populous and Ivreatronic.
• 27 December — Concert by the Tebaide Symphony Orchestra conducted by Maestro Cosimo Mara.
• 2 January — Children's show with Lucilla (star of Alman Kids).

• 22-metre-tall light tree in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II
• The twelve Swings of the Stars, 5 metres high, dedicated to the zodiac signs
• 15-metre-tall Snow Dome in Piazza Palmieri
• 6-metre-tall Nativity of Light by master craftsman Domenico Galluzzi in Piazza Garibaldi
• Santa Claus village with illuminated boats at the old port
• 540 sqm ice skating rink