Santa Claus on a Vespa

A caravan of Santas on two wheels

On Christmas Day, while the rest of the country gathers with family, the streets of San Marco in Lamis fill with the unmistakable rumble of the Vespa. It is the signal that Santa Claus on a Vespa is about to begin, the colorful Christmas parade organized by the Vespa Club San Marco in Lamis that turns the famous Italian scooter into a two-wheeled sleigh every year. Dozens of Vespa enthusiasts, strictly dressed as Santa Claus with red suits, white beards, and hats, gather in Piazza Madonna delle Grazie to kick off a parade that winds through the town's historic center and neighborhoods.

Motorcycling passion and a spirit of solidarity

Much more than just a gathering of enthusiasts, the event has a strong charitable focus. At the end of the parade, participants visit local nursing homes and healthcare facilities, where they deliver gifts and spend time with the elderly and patients who are spending the holidays away from home. Over the years, the initiative has seen the collaboration of local associations, such as the Lions Club and the Associazione Cuori Blu, confirming a charitable vocation that pairs a love for two wheels with the spirit of sharing typical of Christmas.

A staple of the Gargano Christmas

Born as a small initiative by a group of Vespa-loving friends, the parade has become one of the most anticipated Christmas traditions in San Marco in Lamis, a town in the Gargano National Park in the province of Foggia, in the heart of the Capitanata region. The December 25, 2025 edition marked the twelfth anniversary, proving how deeply rooted the event has become in the local holiday calendar, alongside living nativity scenes, the screppedde festivals, and other events in the town's rich Christmas program.

Why it's worth a visit

• An unusual and free spectacle on Christmas Day, perfect for both adults and children.
• The atmosphere of the historic center of an authentic Gargano village during the holidays.
• A charitable event that unites the community around values of solidarity.
• The setting of the Gargano and the Daunian Mountains, amidst sanctuaries, ancient sheep tracks, and folk traditions.