Magico Parco di Natale

A Christmas village inside a natural oasis

Magico Parco di Natale is the winter highlight at Parco del Grassano, a natural oasis nestled around the clear springs of the Grassano river in the municipality of San Salvatore Telesino, in the province of Benevento, Campania. Between late November and late December, the meadows, paths, and ponds are adorned with fairy lights and wooden chalets; the result is an open-air Christmas village that, in just a few editions, has become one of the most popular destinations in the Sannio region during the holidays. The formula works because it combines two things that don't usually go together: a stroll through a river park and the atmosphere of a Christmas market.

Markets and Sannio craftsmanship

The heart of the event is the exhibition area, with about twenty chalets managed by local artisans and producers. In the 2025 edition, there were twenty-four accredited exhibitors offering handmade items, decorations, gift ideas, and gastronomic specialties from the Valle Telesina and the Sannio area. It is the kind of market where you buy a little and taste a lot: charcuterie boards, festive sweets, mulled wine, and hot chocolate accompany your walk between the stalls.

• Wooden chalets with local crafts and traditional products
• Food and bar area with Christmas street food
• Garden of Lights and luminous displays along the paths
• The Christmas Path, a scenic route introduced in 2025

Attractions for families and children

The event is built around younger visitors. There is Santa's House, complete with a mailbox, and a cookie workshop where children can knead and decorate treats to take home. The ice rink set up in the park is one of the most popular attractions, while the Grinch roams among the crowd all afternoon with his roaming entertainment. Early editions also featured a Christmas train that toured the area.

Shows, music, and street performers

The performance schedule is packed and repeats multiple times throughout the day, ensuring that both morning and evening visitors find something to watch. In the 2025 edition, the resident companies were I Giullari di Davide Rossi, with juggling, balancing acts, and grand fire shows, and Mago Loran, featuring Christmas magic, illusionism, and interactive tricks. On Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, a Christmas street band and a Christmas parade were added, while the gospel choir and the Christmas concert gave the evenings a more intimate tone.

A young but already established event

The first edition of Magico Parco di Natale dates back to December 2023, with a calendar that concluded in the first days of January 2024. The second edition, in the winter of 2024, repeated the format between late November and late December. The third, in 2025, confirmed its growth: local press reported about ten thousand visits during the opening weekend alone. This figure speaks volumes about the role the event has assumed for Telese Terme, San Salvatore Telesino, and the towns of the valley, during a time of year when the tourism offer of the inner Sannio is traditionally more fragile.

The context: the Valle Telesina

Parco del Grassano is located just minutes from Telese Terme, an area known for its thermal waters, Sannio wines, and the archaeology of ancient Telesia. Visiting the Christmas village can therefore become the perfect excuse for a broader day out in the province of Benevento, among wineries, villages, and spas. The park remains a naturalistic oasis even during the holidays: the vegetation, canals, and springs remain the protagonists of the setup, which illuminates the landscape rather than covering it.

Tips for your visit

• Weekends and the days around December 8th are the most crowded: it is best to arrive at opening time
• The path is outdoors and on natural terrain: comfortable shoes and winter clothing are recommended
• Some activities, such as the ice rink and the cookie workshop, require an extra fee
• Reservations with special rates are available for groups and school trips