Xmas80057 — The City of Christmas

Xmas80057, the Christmas named after a postal code

In Sant'Antonio Abate, a town in the metropolitan city of Naples nestled at the foot of the Lattari Mountains, Christmas has a very specific name: Xmas80057 — The City of Christmas. The number is no coincidence; 80057 is the town's postal code, chosen as the signature for an event that, edition after edition, has become one of the most popular Christmas gatherings in this corner of Campania.

The event is organized by the All Party association with the patronage of the Municipality of Sant'Antonio Abate. Over four weekends, it transforms the town's civic heart into a continuous trail of lights, games, attractions, shows, and markets. This is no ordinary Christmas fair: it is a themed village built from scratch every year, drawing visitors from across the area south of Mount Vesuvius.

Three locations, one unique path

The event spans three adjacent areas in the town center. Piazza della Libertà is the symbolic heart: here, the grand Christmas tree is lit to officially kick off the season. Largo Sandro Pertini hosts the main stage, the ice skating rink, the Ferris wheel, and a portion of the markets and food and drink area. Finally, the local Natural Park houses the village itself, which becomes an enchanted park for the occasion, featuring scenic paths and light installations.

Village attractions

• The Ferris wheel, standing several meters high, offering a bird's-eye view of the illuminated park and the entire town.
• The ice skating rink, one of the most popular attractions for younger visitors.
• The elf village and Santa's house, featuring interactive experiences and the letter-writing workshop, where children can write their wishes and deliver them by hand.
• The artistic lighting trail, which in past years has included reproductions of the famous Regent Street angels from London.
• The Fairy Tale Forest, with trees adorned in shimmering lights and sets inspired by classic fables.
• Christmas markets, offering local crafts, gift ideas, and regional products.
• Food and drink areas, dedicated to seasonal specialties and local flavors.

Parades, shows, and themed weekends

The highlight of the event is the Santa Parade: Santa's float travels through the town center accompanied by a marching band, stilt walkers, skaters, street performers, giant mascots, and fairy-tale characters, eventually converging on Piazza della Libertà for the countdown to the tree lighting. The parade is repeated on key dates throughout the calendar, leading up to the grand finale.

In previous editions, weekends have been themed: a magic gala, creative workshops for children, a weekend dedicated to comics, anime, and cosplay with a costume contest, a Harry Potter-themed area animated by Hogwarts-style cosplayers, and finally, the classic Christmas week. The closing ceremony on December 26th, Boxing Day, features a final celebration with fireworks and a farewell from Santa Claus.

An event designed for families

Xmas80057 was explicitly created for children: the calendar alternates between stage shows, roaming entertainment, and workshops, while the operating hours are tailored to family needs, with evening openings on event days and some morning openings on holidays. Access to the Largo Sandro Pertini area is traditionally free, while individual attractions like the Ferris wheel and the ice rink require a separate ticket.

Sant'Antonio Abate and Christmas in Campania

Campania treats Christmas as a distinct cultural season, from Neapolitan nativity art to the illuminations in its historic villages. In this context, Sant'Antonio Abate has built a modern, family-friendly offering that blends a Northern European-style themed village with the traditional Southern Italian town festival atmosphere. Its location is ideal: the town is just a few kilometers from Pompeii, Castellammare di Stabia, Angri, and Gragnano, making it easily accessible for those visiting the Vesuvius area or the coast. For many families in the province of Naples and the nearby Salerno area, visiting the City of Christmas has become a staple of the Advent season.