Nativity Scene Art Exhibition at the Villaggio dei Ragazzi
Professional, home-made, and school-crafted nativity scenes in the Chapel of the Villaggio dei Ragazzi
About Maddaloni Nativity Exhibition
Christmas in Maddaloni at the Santa Maria della Pace Chapel
Every year, from early December until Epiphany, the Santa Maria della Pace Chapel at the «Don Salvatore D'Angelo» Villaggio dei Ragazzi becomes the beating heart of Christmas in Maddaloni, in the Province of Caserta. The Nativity Scene Art Exhibition fills the nave and adjacent areas with dozens of crèches, ranging from traditional designs to miniature scenes built from recycled materials: an exhibition trail that has become a staple of the festive season for families in the city and the entire Caserta area.
Two sections: homes and schools
The exhibition is structured, edition after edition, into two sections. The first features home-made nativity scenes crafted by enthusiasts, often the result of months of patient work with cork, wood, papier-mâché, and lights; the second is reserved for works built by local schoolchildren, showcasing projects created in their classrooms. This choice reflects the spirit of the initiative: not just a show for specialists, but a community project that weaves together nativity art, education, and the passing of traditions between generations.
The «Il Presepe» Cultural Association
The event is promoted by the «Il Presepe» Cultural Association, founded by Dr. Mario Bove and now led by president Sebastiano Della Ventura, with the patronage of the Municipality of Maddaloni and the Department of Culture, in collaboration with the Villaggio dei Ragazzi Foundation. In December 2025, the exhibition reached the milestone of its twentieth edition, confirming its status as one of the longest-running and most popular Christmas initiatives in inland Campania.
More than just nativity scenes: bagpipers, music, and vintage cars
The exhibition is surrounded by a program of side events that brings the Village to life throughout the festive period: the bagpiper parade on opening day, the vintage car and motorcycle rally, Christmas musical performances on the Sundays leading up to Christmas, and the awards evening with poetry interludes that closes the event. The ribbon-cutting is traditionally performed by H.E. Msgr. Pietro Lagnese, Archbishop of Caserta and Capua, in the presence of the mayor and civil and religious authorities.
An appeal that reaches beyond Campania
Despite its intentionally local scale, the exhibition attracts impressive numbers: the edition that concluded on January 6, 2026, recorded about thirteen thousand visitors, with signatures in the guestbook from various Italian regions and abroad — Brussels, Dublin, Frankfurt, Lausanne, London, Lugano, Madrid, Malta, Spain, and England. This data speaks to how much Campanian nativity art continues to attract enthusiasts and collectors even beyond national borders.
The Villaggio dei Ragazzi, a symbolic place
The location is no coincidence. The Villaggio dei Ragazzi was founded in November 1947, when Don Salvatore D'Angelo (1920-2000), a priest from Maddaloni, established a home for war orphans and children in need in the former «Nino Bixio» barracks. It became a foundation in 1975 and is now a school and training center. Hosting the exhibition here means restoring social and cultural centrality to a place that is part of Maddaloni's identity.
Why it is worth visiting
The Nativity Scene Art Exhibition is a short, free visit suitable for all ages, perfect to combine with a stroll through the historic center of Maddaloni or a stop in nearby Caserta. Those arriving with children will find the school section an extra source of fun; those interested in craftsmanship will discover how much artisan work lies behind a home-made nativity scene, from cork scenery and water features to movement mechanisms and night lighting.
Maddaloni Nativity Exhibition — edition 2026
The 20th edition: a milestone for Maddaloni
From December 7, 2025, to January 6, 2026, the Santa Maria della Pace Chapel of the Villaggio dei Ragazzi hosted the twentieth Nativity Scene Art Exhibition, organized by the «Il Presepe» Cultural Association presided over by Sebastiano Della Ventura, with the patronage of the Municipality of Maddaloni and the Department of Culture, and in collaboration with the Villaggio dei Ragazzi Foundation.
The inauguration, on Sunday, December 7th at 6:00 PM, saw the participation of H.E. Msgr. Pietro Lagnese, Archbishop of Caserta and Capua, Mayor Andrea De Filippo, and Councilor for Culture Caterina Ventrone. «Compliments as always. I returned with great pleasure to participate in the inauguration of the nativity exhibition. Keep going!», commented the bishop.
The exhibition closed on Epiphany with a total of about 13,000 visitors, who arrived from various Italian regions and abroad: Brussels, Dublin, Frankfurt, Lausanne, London, Lugano, Madrid, Malta, Spain, and England. The awards ceremony took place on Saturday, January 10, 2026, in the Sala Chollet, with poetry interludes.
Programme Maddaloni Nativity Exhibition 2026
Opening hours
- December 7 to 19, 2025: 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
- December 20, 2025, to January 6, 2026: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
- Holidays and weekends: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Inauguration
Sunday, December 7, 2025, at 6:00 PM — opening ceremony with H.E. Msgr. Pietro Lagnese, Archbishop of Caserta and Capua, Mayor Andrea De Filippo, and Councilor for Culture Caterina Ventrone.
The two exhibition sections
- Section dedicated to home-made nativity scenes by enthusiasts
- Section reserved for nativity scenes made by children from local schools
Side events
- Sunday, December 7 — bagpiper parade
- Sunday, December 14 — vintage car and motorcycle rally
- Sunday, December 21 — Christmas musical performance
- Sunday, December 28 — Christmas musical performance
- Saturday, January 10, 2026 — awards ceremony with poetry interludes, in the Sala Chollet
Related initiatives
- 27th edition of the «Presepe in Casa» (Nativity at Home) competition
- «Maddaloni Living Nativity for world peace»
Highlights Maddaloni Nativity Exhibition 2026
The most popular moments were the inauguration on December 7th with the bagpiper parade and the blessing by Archbishop Pietro Lagnese, the vintage car and motorcycle rally on December 14th in the Village square, the two Sundays of Christmas music on December 21st and 28th, and the awards ceremony on January 10th in the Sala Chollet. Not to be missed, as always, is the school section: it is the one that engages the youngest visitors the most.
Prices Maddaloni Nativity Exhibition 2026
Practical information — Maddaloni Nativity Exhibition
Where
Santa Maria della Pace Chapel, inside the «Don Salvatore D'Angelo» Villaggio dei Ragazzi Foundation, Piazza Giacomo Matteotti 8, 81024 Maddaloni (Caserta).
How to get there
By car: Caserta Sud exit on the A1 or Caserta Est on the A30, then follow signs for Maddaloni; the Village is located near the city center. By train: the Maddaloni Inferiore station is served by the Naples-Caserta and Caserta-Benevento regional lines, with frequent connections; from Caserta, Maddaloni can also be reached by bus in about ten minutes.
Admission and opening hours
Free admission. The exhibition is open from early December until January 6th, with afternoon hours in the first part and double morning-afternoon shifts on holidays, weekends, and during the period between Christmas and Epiphany.
Groups and school trips
Visits for groups and classes can be booked by writing to the «Il Presepe» Cultural Association at [email protected]. Venue information: +39 0823 207301.
Tips
The evening hours, with the nativity scenes illuminated and night-lighting effects, are the most atmospheric; the influx is higher in the days between Christmas and Epiphany, so it is best to arrive when the shift opens.
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Where does it take place — Maddaloni Nativity Exhibition
Cappella di Santa Maria della Pace - Villaggio dei Ragazzi «Don Salvatore D'Angelo»
Piazza Giacomo Matteotti 8, 81024 Maddaloni