Christmas in Pisa

From 5 December to 6 January, Pisa becomes a Christmas town: travelling shows with bagpipers, creative workshops for children, Christmas markets in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele with 18 stalls, Logge dei Banchi with a market of 17 stalls and a handmade nativity scene, and Santa’s House. The Giardino Scotto will host a craft market on the weekends of 13-14 and 20-21 December, while other craft stalls will be set up in Piazza Garibaldi and Via San Francesco from 13 to 24 December.

The large decorated Christmas tree in Piazza XX Settembre will be lit up as usual on Monday 8, while other trees and installations illuminate other areas of the historic centre as far as the coast. Of particular note are the Gospel choir on 14 December and the Christmas relay race on 20 December in Piazza dei Cavalieri. This is a 250-metre relay race per athlete on a rowing machine and a 30-minute Indoor Rowing Masterclass set to music with a certified instructor. Free registration at: sport@comune.pisa.it

Another important event is the Christmas Concert by the Orchestra della Toscana on 23 December at 9 p.m. at the Teatro Verdi. The programme includes pieces by Rossini, Tchaikovsky, Stravinsky and Mozart.

Markets, ponies, car expo with Christmas parade also on the seafront: Sunday 7 December in Tirrenia, the Christmas Concert will be held on 22 December at 7 pm in the Church of San Francesco. In Marina di Pisa on 21 December in Piazza Fratelli Pontecorvo, modern antiques, antiques and vintage items.

On 31 December, the traditionally free New Year’s Eve celebration in Pisa, open to everyone in Piazza dei Cavalieri, with a concert by Alfa, one of the most popular young Italian artists. The show starts at 10 p.m. After the midnight toast and the fireworks on the Arno riverbanks, the evening continues with a DJ set by Demetra & Bianca.

On 6 January, the Befana will be travelling through the streets of the city centre, from Piazza Vittorio Emanuele to Via Oberdan, distributing sweets to children, while from 3.30 pm in Largo Ciro Menotti a show featuring entertainment and animation.