Magico Natale in Telese
A month of lights, Christmas markets, and an ice rink in Telese Terme
About Magico Natale
Christmas in Telese Terme: Lights and Thermal Waters
From early December until the Epiphany, the heart of Telese Terme undergoes a magical transformation. Piazza Minieri and Viale Minieri are adorned with festive lights, wooden market stalls, and music, turning this thermal town in the Province of Benevento into a premier holiday destination in the Telesina Valley. The event, titled «Magico Natale in Telese», is organized by the Pro Loco Telesia APS in collaboration with the municipality, offering a packed calendar of markets, performances, concerts, and activities for children over more than a month of daily events.
The Ice Rink and Viale Minieri Markets
The centerpiece of the festival is the ice skating rink in Piazza Minieri, open throughout the event and accompanied by fairground rides. Along Viale Minieri, the Pro Loco markets feature local Sannio products, artisanal crafts, and unique gift ideas. A Christmas cabin, a miniature train, and decorated carriages complete the festive atmosphere, creating a pedestrian-friendly path that connects the main square to the station area.
Santa Claus in a Railway Carriage
One of the program's most popular highlights is Santa Claus in a railway carriage: a vintage train car set up within the Telese Thermal Park, where children can meet Santa on various dates throughout December, including Christmas Eve. The area also hosts roaming entertainment, face painting, creative workshops, and themed shows, such as appearances by the Grinch to delight the little ones.
Music, Shows, and Tradition
The calendar balances popular festivities with cultural events. On December 8th, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, the grand Christmas Tree in Piazza Minieri is lit with a blessing from local priests and a greeting from the mayor, while a second tree is illuminated on Viale Minieri. The following weeks feature Christmas carols, a gospel concert in the church, a screening of The Nutcracker at the local cinema, children's readings at the bookstore, vintage car rallies, and a Santa Claus-themed fun run. Gastronomy is also a key feature, with a giant version of the caprese telesina cake and tastings of panettone offered during peak days.
A Community-Driven Celebration
«Magico Natale» is the result of the hard work of volunteers from the Pro Loco Telesia APS, led by president Vittorio Mucciacciaro and vice-president Roberto Palumbo, in collaboration with the municipal administration, local parishes, and community associations. The 2025 edition saw thousands of visitors during its opening weekend and was even featured on TG3 Campania, confirming the event's status as a signature celebration for the town and its neighbors.
What to See in Telese Terme During the Holidays
Visitors will find a town that is easy to explore on foot. Highlights include the sulfurous waters and park of the Telese Thermal Baths, the nearby Lake Telese, the vineyards of the Telesina Valley—home to the famous Falanghina del Sannio wine—and the historic villages of Cerreto Sannita, Guardia Sanframondi, and Sant'Agata de' Goti just a few kilometers away. In Campania, the Christmas season is a true tourist highlight: combining a day at the thermal baths, a stroll through the markets, and a gourmet food stop is the best way to discover this corner of the Sannio region.
Magico Natale — edition 2026
A Month of Events in Piazza Minieri
The event was inaugurated on Friday, December 5, 2025, at 5:00 PM with the ribbon-cutting of the ice skating rink, in the presence of civil, military, and religious authorities. During the first four days, the Pro Loco Telesia APS recorded over two thousand visitors, including skaters, families enjoying the rides, and shoppers strolling along Viale Minieri.
The Immaculate Conception and the Christmas Weeks
The most anticipated moment was Monday, December 8th: a miniature train for children and panettone tastings during the day, followed by Holy Mass and a procession in the late afternoon. The evening continued with the «Insieme si accende il Natale» violin performance by the Musica e Arte Association and the double lighting of the Christmas trees in Piazza Minieri and on Viale Minieri. The following weeks alternated between music, gastronomy, and shows, concluding with the Befana reading on January 4th and the Epiphany celebration on January 6, 2026.
Programme Magico Natale 2026
Attractions open throughout the period
- Ice skating rink in Piazza Minieri, open from Dec 5 to Jan 6.
- Pro Loco markets along Viale Minieri, from Dec 5: local products, crafts, and gifts.
- Christmas decorations: cabin, train, and decorated carriage in the town center.
- Roaming entertainment, face painting, creative workshops, and Grinch shows.
- Santa Claus in a railway carriage at the Telese Thermal Baths, from Dec 5 to 27.
Daily schedule
- Dec 5, 5 PM — Inauguration of the ice rink and opening of the markets.
- Dec 8 — Immaculate Conception: train for kids and panettone tastings; 6 PM Mass and procession; 7 PM «Insieme si accende il Natale» concert; 7 PM lighting of the main Christmas tree; 8 PM lighting of the second tree on Viale Minieri.
- Dec 13 — 4-meter long caprese telesina cake.
- Dec 14 — «Sing It's Christmas Time – Simple Singers Junior» at Sala Goccioloni.
- Dec 19 — Selma Exine Gospel Concert at the Church of Sant'Alfonso.
- Dec 20 — Santa Claus-themed Fun Run.
- Dec 21 — Porsche rally and Santa in a Fiat 500.
- Dec 28 — «The Nutcracker» show at Cinema Modernissimo.
- Jan 4 — Befana reading at Libreria Controvento.
- Jan 6 — Epiphany celebration with children's entertainment.
Highlights Magico Natale 2026
- Ice skating rink in Piazza Minieri, Dec 5 to Jan 6.
- Double Christmas tree lighting on Dec 8 with the «Insieme si accende il Natale» violin show.
- Santa Claus in a railway carriage at the Telese Thermal Baths, Dec 5 to 27.
- Selma Exine Gospel Concert at the Church of Sant'Alfonso, Dec 19.
- 4-meter long caprese telesina cake, Dec 13.
- Epiphany celebration on Jan 6.
Prices Magico Natale 2026
Practical information — Magico Natale
Location
Events are concentrated in Piazza Minieri (ice rink, Christmas tree, rides) and along Viale Minieri (markets), with additional activities in local churches, the Cinema Modernissimo, the Sala Goccioloni, and the Telese Thermal Park area.
Getting There
- By train: The Telese Terme railway station is just a short walk from Viale Minieri, where the markets are located.
- By car: Reach Telese Terme via the SS372 Telesina state road, which connects Benevento to the Caianello area; parking is available on streets adjacent to the center.
- By plane: Naples-Capodichino Airport is approximately a 90-minute drive away.
Tips
- The busiest evenings are December 8th, pre-Christmas weekends, and January 6th; arrive early to secure parking.
- Wear warm clothing and comfortable shoes, as most activities are outdoors.
- Telese Terme offers thermal hotels and accommodations that remain open throughout the holiday season.
Information
Pro Loco Telesia APS, Largo Giolitti 1 – Piazza Minieri, 82037 Telese Terme (BN). Phone: +39 388 5717864. E-mail: [email protected]. Updates and the full program are available on the Pro Loco social media channels.
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Where does it take place — Magico Natale
Piazza Minieri e Viale Minieri
Piazza Minieri, 82037 Telese Terme