Natale Veliterno
Christmas markets, an Elf Village, and an ice rink in the heart of the Castelli Romani
About Natale Veliterno
Christmas in the heart of the Castelli Romani
From December 8th to January 6th, the Natale Veliterno festival transforms Velletri, a town in the Castelli Romani area south of Rome, into a grand holiday village. Promoted by the Municipality of Velletri and coordinated by the Department of Commerce, Tourism, and Entertainment, the event weaves together markets, children's attractions, choirs, concerts, and charity initiatives throughout the entire month, from the Feast of the Immaculate Conception to Epiphany. Festive lights illuminate the historic center, guiding visitors through Corso della Repubblica, Piazza Cairoli, and the monumental Porta Napoletana.
The Elf Village and Santa's House
The enchanted heart of Natale Veliterno is Porta Napoletana, where the Elf Village and Santa's House come to life from December 8th to 24th. These free activities welcome little ones every afternoon from 4 PM to 7 PM, with additional morning sessions from 10 AM to 1 PM on Saturdays and Sundays. Between entertainment, workshops, and letter drop-offs, children can meet Santa Claus in a setting curated down to the smallest detail.
Piazza Cairoli: ice rink, markets, and rides
Throughout the holiday season, Piazza Cairoli hosts an ice skating rink—which saw over seven thousand visitors in the 2024 edition—alongside Christmas markets and children's rides. The square also serves as a stage for Christmas carols performed by local schools, filling the center with music in the weeks leading up to Christmas.
Music, choirs, and charity
The program alternates between festive celebrations and charity events: shows at the Teatro Artemisio supporting local associations, Christmas concerts in the Cathedral of San Clemente featuring organs and bagpipes, children's choirs in the parishes, and the Santa's sleigh parade along Corso della Repubblica. Original initiatives, such as a special philatelic cancellation at the Elf Village, are also featured.
From Pasquella to Befana
Natale Veliterno is deeply rooted in the popular traditions of the Lazio region: the holiday cycle concludes with the songs of the Pasquella, a traditional musical quest for Epiphany, and the traditional Descent of the Befana, a historic event in Velletri that has surpassed forty editions. A finale that blends folklore and community spirit.
Velletri, a city to discover
Located in the Metropolitan City of Rome Capital at the foot of the Alban Hills, Velletri is known for its wine, the Cathedral of San Clemente, and the historic center clustered around Piazza Cairoli. Natale Veliterno is the perfect opportunity to discover the city in its most evocative setting, less than an hour by train from Rome Termini.
Natale Veliterno — edition 2026
Natale Veliterno 2025-2026 opened on Monday, December 8th, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, with the arrival of Santa Claus and mascots in Piazza Mazzini at 4:30 PM. Until December 24th, Porta Napoletana hosted the Elf Village, curated by Egi Stella with entertainment by Bee My Party, and Santa's House created by Alessia Centorrino, with free activities every afternoon and on weekend mornings.
In Piazza Cairoli, throughout the holiday period, the ice skating rink, Christmas markets, and children's rides were operational, accompanied by carols from local schools. The program, coordinated by the Councilor for Commerce, Tourism, and Entertainment Paolo Felci with the company PlayAll, combined music and charity: the LolloXMAS charity show at the Teatro Artemisio, the Christmas concert in the Cathedral of San Clemente with organ and bagpipes in support of Emergency, the Santa's sleigh parade along Corso della Repubblica, and, at the end of December, the living nativity scene and the musical instrument exhibition at the House of Cultures and Music. The festival concluded on January 6th with the Pasquella and Befana celebrations.
Programme Natale Veliterno 2026
2025-2026 Program
- Monday, December 8 — Inauguration: arrival of Santa Claus and mascots in Piazza Mazzini at 4:30 PM; opening of the Elf Village and Santa's House at Porta Napoletana (until Dec 24: weekdays 4-7 PM; Sat/Sun also 10 AM-1 PM) and the ice rink with markets in Piazza Cairoli
- Saturday, December 13 — LolloXMAS 2025, charity show for the Lollo 10 non-profit, Teatro Artemisio at 8:30 PM
- Sunday, December 14 and 21 — Santa's sleigh parade along Corso della Repubblica, 5 PM
- December 14-20 — Christmas carols by local students in Piazza Cairoli, 5 PM and 7 PM
- Friday, December 19 — Prayer vigil in the Cathedral
- Saturday, December 20 — Children's choir concert, San Clemente parish, 4 PM
- Sunday, December 21 — Christmas concert in the Cathedral of San Clemente with organ and bagpipes, supporting Emergency
- Monday, December 22 — Special philatelic cancellation at the Elf Village, 11 AM-7 PM
- December 27-28 — House of Cultures and Music: musical instrument exhibition and "Nativity of the Peoples" living nativity scene in the cloister
- Tuesday, January 6 — Closing with Pasquella and Befana celebrations
Highlights Natale Veliterno 2026
- Elf Village and Santa's House at Porta Napoletana, with free activities for children
- Ice skating rink and Christmas markets in Piazza Cairoli
- Santa's sleigh parade along Corso della Repubblica
- Concerts and charity events at Teatro Artemisio and the Cathedral of San Clemente
- Closing with Pasquella and Befana on January 6th
Prices Natale Veliterno 2026
Practical information — Natale Veliterno
How to get there
By train: FL4 regional line Rome Termini-Velletri (approx. 55 minutes); the station is a few minutes' walk from the historic center. By car: Via Appia (SS7) or Via dei Laghi from Rome, heading towards Velletri.
Admission
Access to squares and markets is free; activities at the Elf Village and Santa's House at Porta Napoletana are free of charge. Information and rates for the ice rink are available on-site.
Opening hours
Elf Village and Santa's House (until December 24th): weekdays from 4 PM to 7 PM; Saturdays and Sundays also from 10 AM to 1 PM. Ice rink and markets in Piazza Cairoli are open throughout the holiday period.
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Where does it take place — Natale Veliterno
Centro storico — Piazza Cairoli e Porta Napoletana
Piazza Cairoli, 00049 Velletri