Natale della Civetta / Winter Park of Galatina

Natale della Civetta in Galatina

Every winter, the center of Galatina, a town in the Province of Lecce in the heart of Salento, transforms to host Natale della Civetta, the rich program of Christmas events promoted by the Municipality of Galatina. The name refers to the town's symbol, the owl (civetta), which also features in other major Galatina events like the Summer and Carnival of the Civetta. For over a month, from the first days of December until Epiphany, squares, streets, and courtyards are filled with lights, music, shows, and shopping opportunities.

Over forty scheduled events

The program includes more than forty events ranging from concerts and live performances to family entertainment, cultural moments, and tastings of local products. The Sundays in December are dedicated to shopping in the city center, enlivened by street artists and light installations, while the tree lighting ceremony and light shows mark the most anticipated evenings. There is also a city nativity scene and musical appointments in historic churches, starting with the splendid Basilica of Santa Caterina d'Alessandria, a masterpiece of Apulian medieval art.

The Winter Park at Villetta San Francesco

The beating heart of the festival is the Winter Park, set up at Villetta San Francesco: an authentic Christmas village with an ice skating rink, a play area, inflatable games, creative workshops for children, street performers, and Santa Claus's house with his elves. The village also offers a market, tastings, and gastronomic evenings, such as "Birra in Corte" featuring craft beers and street food. It is a place designed especially for children and families, with free admission.

A Christmas in the spirit of Salento

Natale della Civetta is much more than a series of events: it is how Galatina experiences the holidays, blending tradition, conviviality, and the promotion of its historic center. For those visiting Salento in winter, it is the ideal opportunity to discover one of the most beautiful art cities in Puglia in a warm and luminous atmosphere.