Roncone in Presepe

A village that becomes a nativity scene

Roncone in Presepe is the most cherished Christmas event in Roncone, a district of the Municipality of Sella Giudicarie, in the heart of the Giudicarie region, in Trentino-Alto Adige. Every year, from the first ten days of December until Epiphany, the historic center of the village fills with Christmas atmosphere thanks to a traditional competition of nativity scenes set up by the inhabitants among the streets, windows, courtyards, and most characteristic corners of the village.

The event was born as a community initiative: it is the citizens themselves, families, and associations who build their own nativity scenes, bringing to life a scattered trail that winds through the entire town. Each edition features more than fifteen nativity scenes, which visitors can discover by following a map distributed by the Pro Loco.

The competition and the awards ceremony

The heart of the event is the nativity scene competition organized by the Pro Loco of Roncone. The works created by the participants are evaluated, and in the final days of the event, the awards ceremony takes place. In recent editions, the presentation of awards has been held during the Christmas concert of the Banda Sociale di Roncone, a moment that combines music and nativity tradition. In some editions, an online vote for photographs of the nativity scenes has also been offered, with the possibility of casting preferences until the first days of January.

A trail of lights and tradition

Walking through Roncone during the event means immersing yourself in an itinerary made of small scenes, carefully curated displays, and details that tell the story of the community's creativity. From the central square to the more peripheral districts of the village, such as the Pra di Bondo neighborhood, the nativity scenes follow one another, creating an authentic Christmas landscape, far from commercial logic and close to the more intimate and familiar dimension of mountain Christmas.

Christmas in the Giudicarie

Roncone in Presepe is part of the broader Christmas calendar of the Giudicarie and the Valle del Chiese, a territory in the Autonomous Province of Trento particularly linked to the nativity tradition. The event represents an ideal opportunity for a family trip during the holidays, to be combined with discovering Lake Roncone, the mountain huts, and the alpine landscapes that surround the village. Admission to the nativity scene trail is free.