Marcé da Nadé - Christmas Market

A Christmas market in the heart of the Dolomites

The Marcé da Nadé is the Christmas market of Corvara in Badia, a Ladin municipality in the Autonomous Province of Bolzano, in Trentino-Alto Adige. Set in the Town Hall square along Str. Col Alt, at an altitude of 1,568 meters in the heart of Alta Badia, it is a cozy and authentic gathering, quite different from the large city markets: few stalls, an intimate atmosphere, and a strong bond with the valley's identity.

Ladin culture as a guiding theme

The name itself, in the Ladin language, means "Christmas market." The event was created to celebrate the Ladin traditions of Val Badia: the wooden huts are inspired by the architecture of typical mountain cabins and house local artisanal products. It is a way to experience Christmas by following the slow pace and values of the Ladin community, surrounded by the peaks of the Sella and Sassongher groups.

The nativity scene by Leo Moroder

The symbol of the Marcé da Nadé is an extraordinary life-sized nativity scene, hand-carved from wood by master craftsman Leo Moroder. Every year, the nativity scene is enriched with new figures, becoming increasingly elaborate and one of the most photographed attractions of the market.

What to see and taste

• Wooden huts decorated with lights and Christmas ornaments
• Alphorns, accordion music, and local choirs performing on select evenings
• Handcrafted wooden items, textiles, and handmade decorations
• Pony rides for children
• Local gastronomic specialties: speck, jams, and grappa
• Traditional sweets like krapfen, strudel, and blueberry buckwheat cake, accompanied by a warm mulled wine

A charitable and sustainable event

The Marcé da Nadé is recognized as a "Going Green Event" for its commitment to sustainability. By tradition, a portion of the proceeds from every mulled wine sold is donated to Aiüt Alpin Dolomites, the Dolomite mountain rescue service: a small gesture that combines celebration with solidarity for those who work in the mountains.

Organization

The market is organized by the Alta Badia Tourist Consortium and takes place every year during the Christmas season, from Advent until the first days of January, making Corvara one of the most charming destinations for those seeking Christmas at high altitude in the Dolomites.