Waiting for Saint Nicholas

A festival that lights up Christmas in Ziano di Fiemme

Waiting for Saint Nicholas is the community celebration that officially kicks off the Christmas season in Ziano di Fiemme, a charming village in the Val di Fiemme, located in the province of Trento, in the heart of Trentino-Alto Adige. The event takes place in Piazza Italia, the town's main square, on the afternoon and evening of Saint Nicholas Eve, when Alpine tradition celebrates the Saint who precedes Christmas and brings gifts to the little ones.

The evening program

The festival is designed primarily for children and the entire community. The event opens with a lively baby dance to warm up the atmosphere in the chilly mountain December, leading up to the most anticipated moment: the arrival of Saint Nicholas accompanied by his little angels, who greets the children gathered in the square.

• Baby dance and entertainment for children
• Arrival of Saint Nicholas with his little angels
• Collective lighting of the Christmas tree in the square
• Hot tea and mulled wine for everyone
• Music and festive moments together

Lighting the tree

The symbolic heart of the event is the lighting of the Christmas tree: the whole community gathers to illuminate the fir tree that will stand in Piazza Italia for the entire holiday period. It is a simple, collective gesture that marks the beginning of Christmas in Ziano and transforms the square into a warm and welcoming meeting place.

Organized by the Youth Group

Waiting for Saint Nicholas is organized by the Ziano Youth Group, with the support of the Val di Fiemme Tourist Board. It is part of the valley's rich Christmas calendar, featuring markets, nativity scenes, choirs, and events dedicated to Alpine traditions, and represents one of the most cherished moments for the small community of Ziano di Fiemme.

The setting of Val di Fiemme

Val di Fiemme, famous for its fir forests and resonance wood, experiences Christmas as a special season: from the markets in Cavalese and Predazzo to the twinkling lights of the villages, the atmosphere is typical of the Trentino Dolomites. In this setting, Saint Nicholas Eve in Ziano is an intimate and family-friendly event, far from the crowds, ideal for those seeking the true Christmas spirit of the mountain valleys.