Viterbo Christmas Village

Christmas in the medieval heart of Viterbo

The Viterbo Christmas Village is the grand festive event that brings Viterbo’s historic center to life every winter in the heart of the Tuscia region. From mid-November until Epiphany, the medieval San Pellegrino district—one of the best-preserved 13th-century neighborhoods in Europe—dresses up for the holidays. With twinkling lights, wooden chalets, festive characters, and immersive attractions filling the squares, towers, and historic palaces, the City of Popes becomes one of Italy's premier Christmas destinations. The event’s slogan, «It’s not Christmas unless you come to Viterbo», perfectly captures the ambition of a festival that draws tens of thousands of visitors from across Lazio and Central Italy each year.

Village Attractions

What makes the Viterbo Christmas Village truly unique is its use of historic palaces as a backdrop for its attractions. Santa's House is hosted within the 13th-century Palazzo degli Alessandri, where children can meet Santa at the end of an enchanted tour. Nearby, you will find the Children's Post Office to drop off letters, and Rudolph's Stable, home to the Wishing Tree.

• The Grinch's Lair, located in the Torre Scacciaricci, dedicated to the mischievous green character;
• The Befana's House on Via San Gemini, featuring a sweets and candy workshop;
• The Ice World, an immersive experience of snow and ice inside the former church at Piazza San Carluccio;
• The Nativity Scene in Piazza San Carluccio, featuring life-sized statues;
• The VR Express Sleigh, a virtual reality journey on Santa's sleigh;
• The Ice Lake at Largo Benedetto Croce, perfect for ice skating;
• The Ferris Wheel at Prato Giardino, offering panoramic views over the city rooftops.

Christmas Markets

The heart of the festival lies in its Christmas markets. Traditional wooden chalets are scattered across Piazza San Carluccio and, starting in early December, along Via Marconi, where the market joins the «Christmas in Viterbo» program promoted by the local administration. Stalls feature local handicrafts, decorations, wooden toys, and gourmet specialties from the Tuscia region. On weekends, the streets come alive with gospel choirs, magic shows, ice sculptures, stilt walkers, jugglers, and traditional bagpipers, leading up to the arrival of the Befana on January 6th.

A Recent yet Deeply Rooted Tradition

Building on early local Christmas initiatives, the Viterbo Christmas Village in its current format was established in 2019 and has grown with every edition. The 2025-2026 season, its seventh, ran from November 15, 2025, to January 6, 2026, with weekend openings until mid-December and daily operations throughout the holiday period. The event is organized by a private entity with the patronage of the Municipality of Viterbo, the Province of Viterbo, and the Lazio Region, and is now one of the most significant Christmas events in the Lazio region.

Viterbo, the City of Popes

Visiting the village is the perfect opportunity to explore Viterbo: the Palace of the Popes, the Cathedral, the iconic spindle-shaped fountains, and the famous thermal baths. The San Pellegrino district, with its profferli (typical external staircases) and volcanic stone alleys, provides an authentic medieval setting that sets the Viterbo village apart from Nordic-style markets.

Next Edition

The official website has already announced the 2026-2027 edition, scheduled from November 2026 to January 2027. Exact dates, opening hours, and online ticketing details will be released in the coming months.