Pragser Bergsilvester / Braies New Year's Eve

A mountain New Year's Eve in Braies

The Pragser Bergsilvester, known in Italian as Capodanno a Braies, is the celebration that marks the transition into the new year in the village square of Ferrara/Schmieden, located in the hamlet of Braies di Dentro (Innerprags). We are in the municipality of Braies/Prags, in the province of Bolzano, in the heart of the Braies Valley and the South Tyrolean Dolomites. It is a simple, genuine local gathering that brings residents and visitors together around the fire for the conviviality of New Year's Eve.

An evening of Alpine tradition

The festival takes place entirely outdoors in the square of the small village of Ferrara and is brought to life by the traditional customs that define New Year's Eve in mountain villages. Guests can enjoy hot, spiced mulled wine, listen to music, and keep warm in good company while the village smithy shapes the lucky horseshoe—a South Tyrolean symbol of good fortune forged for the occasion by the local blacksmith.

The torchlight procession and the lighting of the year

The highlight of the evening is the nighttime torchlight procession, a walk with torches that winds through the darkness of the valley, open to everyone without the need for registration. The anticipation culminates at midnight with the lighting of the new year's digits, which illuminate the village to welcome the year ahead. It is a evocative finale that combines the charm of the snow-covered Dolomites with the warm, welcoming atmosphere of a mountain community.

Why attend

• An authentic, village-scale New Year's Eve, far from the crowds of large city square celebrations
• Alpine traditions including mulled wine, the village smithy, and the lucky horseshoe
• A nighttime torchlight procession open to everyone, with no registration required
• The lighting of the new year's digits at midnight, set against the backdrop of the Braies Valley
• A free event in the square of Ferrara/Schmieden, suitable for families

The event is organized by the Braies Valley Tourist Association and is a recurring celebration held every year on the night of December 31st. The dates for the 2026 edition have not yet been announced.