Solofra Christmas Markets - The Magic of Christmas

Christmas in the City of Leather

Every year, between early December and Epiphany, Solofra—a town renowned for its leather industry in the province of Avellino, in the heart of western Irpinia—dresses up for the holidays. "The Magic of Christmas" is the festive program promoted by the municipal administration together with Pro Loco Solofra and local associations: a widespread program that brings together markets, light installations, theater, concerts, games, and workshops, designed for all ages. The result is a local, family-friendly Christmas that brings the squares and streets of the center to life for over a month.

The Christmas Markets

The heart of the event is the Christmas markets managed by the Pro Loco: stalls and booths featuring decorations, gift ideas, crafts, and typical Irpinian products, set up in the town center. In recent editions, the opening has been set for December 8th, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, continuing on weekends through the holidays. Typical opening hours are:

• Friday and Saturday from 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM;
• Sunday and public holidays from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM and from 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM.

Santa's Village

Alongside the markets, Santa's Village takes shape, known in Solofra as "That Magical Place". In the edition that concluded on January 6, 2025, the village was set up at Parco Sorbo and accompanied the entire holiday period, from December 1st to Epiphany. A station for letters, Santa's house, roving entertainment, and shows for the little ones are the usual ingredients, while the lighting of the illuminations marks the official start of the calendar each year.

The White Night

The most anticipated event for the locals is the White Night, organized by the Solofra Merchants Association together with the Pro Loco and the Municipality: shops open until late at night, discounts and promotions, street artists, roving bands and majorettes, dance schools, DJ sets, and food stands along the streets of the center and on Viale Principe Amedeo. Recent editions have featured the Grinch's Palace, Santa's House, bubble shows, and fire performances.

Concerts, Theater, and Family Events

The program goes beyond the markets. Recent editions have included:

• Classical and chamber music concerts in city churches, such as "Vivaldi between strings and bows" at the Church of Santa Chiara;
• Theatrical performances in the Municipality's Main Hall, ranging from the Eduardo De Filippo repertoire with "Gennariello" to comedy nights;
• Christmas workshops, puppet shows, tombola games, and activities for children;
• Art exhibitions at the Santa Chiara Monumental Complex;
• Epiphany events, with "Waiting for the Befana" and the closing on January 6th.

Why visit Solofra in December

Solofra is known for its leather craftsmanship and a very lively community life: the same community that celebrates its patron saint, Saint Michael the Archangel, in the summer gathers in December around the Christmas program. Visiting the city during the holidays means combining a walk through the illuminated historic center, purchasing crafts at the markets, and tasting the gastronomic products of Irpinia. For those traveling in Campania, the Municipality of Solofra is a convenient stop between Avellino and Salerno and an intimate, authentic alternative to large commercial Christmas villages.

Information and Updates

The full program is released every year at the end of November by the Municipality of Solofra and the Pro Loco through official channels and social media. At the time of writing, the calendar for the next edition has not yet been published: dates and appointments should therefore be verified on official channels before traveling.