10 Things to do in Bologna at Christmas

Bologna is always lively and full of life, but when Christmas comes, it is transformed into a great celebration that is experienced in a special way in the streets. Strolling through the medieval and Renaissance city decorated with thousands of lights and garlands, visiting one of its nativity scenes or enjoying the many events scheduled for the festive season are plans not to be missed.

Afterwards, nothing like recovering your strength with a hot chocolate and a slice of delicious pandoro, or with a glass of wine and a tapa of local sausages, whichever you prefer. There is still plenty to do, such as browsing the Christmas markets for nativity figurines and handmade gifts, or taking part in traditions that may surprise you as a Bolognese. There are plenty of things to do in Bologna at Christmas time. Do you want to know what they are?

If strolling through Bologna at any time of the year is a real pleasure, doing so at Christmas leaves unforgettable postcards to remember.

It's well worth wrapping up warm, wearing comfortable shoes and walking around the city after dark because it's a real visual spectacle. Take your mobile phone or camera with a full battery because you won't get tired of taking photos.

The whole city is decked out in millions of lights to celebrate the festivities. The medieval porticoes, the palaces, the streets and squares of Bologna and even the Garisenda and Asinelli towers are filled with lights and decorations.

And, of course, the big Christmas tree is not to be missed. It is placed in the historic heart, next to the basilica of San Petronio, the patron saint of Bologna.

When talking about Italy, you might think of Nativity scenes in Naples, which have a long tradition, but in Bologna they are also important. Did you know that Bologna is home to one of the oldest nativity scenes in the world?

You will find it in the basilica of Santo Stefano. It is an adoration of the Magi in polychrome wood from the 13th century. It is a life-size representation of the scene. It is really beautiful.

But if you want to fully immerse yourself in Bologna's nativity scene tradition, there are other important events in the city. In the Basilica of San Francisco, the Basilica of San Petronio and the Pinacoteca Nazionale you can also see these little gems that are so dear to the city's inhabitants.

Take the opportunity to buy some figurines for your nativity scene.

On this tour you can get ideas for designing your own nativity scene, or expand the one you have at home with some of these figurines. All you have to do is visit one of the Christmas markets that are set up around the city. You will find figures of all types and sizes on stalls and in shops.

At this point, I would like to tell you some really curious anecdotes related to nativity scenes. The first is that the authentic Bolognese nativity scene is completely handmade, made of terracotta and the figures do not wear cloth.

The second curiosity is that it has some typical figures. One of them is the "marvel", which represents a woman with a gesture of astonishment in front of the crib. The other is the sleeper, a man with a bottle in his hand who is oblivious to everything.

Bologna is home to several markets where you can find everything from ornaments to local culinary delights. Spending a few hours strolling around them is one of the best things to do in Bologna at this time of year.

Santa Lucia Fair

The Santa Lucia Fair has been an unmissable part of Christmas in Bologna for centuries. It has no less than four centuries of history and an incredible atmosphere. Where does it take place? In the Strada Maggiore and the portico of the church of Santa Maria dei Servi.

There are dozens of stalls where you can find everything you need to decorate your home for Christmas, as well as gifts for your loved ones. Not only that, but you can also buy typical sweets, such as torrone, made with almonds and honey, a calorie bomb that is hard to resist.

Fiera di Natale

The second Christmas market I recommend is the Fiera di Natale. At its stalls you can also buy decorations, original gifts and sweets. You won't have any trouble finding it. It's located in the heart of Bologna, on Via Altabella, just a stone's throw from the Basilica of San Petronio.

Other Christmas markets

There are still a few more stops to make on this tour of Bologna's Christmas markets. If you are one of those who enjoy searching and rummaging for little gems, I recommend you don't miss the Antiques Fair. Here you can find antiques, curiosities and maybe even some original gifts.

But if you're looking for really special pieces, make time for a stroll around San Giuseppe COLORART. What is it? It's a market that only offers handcrafted pieces in materials as varied as leather, fabrics and metals. You'll find this market on Via San Giussepe, just a stone's throw from the historic heart of Bologna.

Yes, you don't have to travel to the French Alsace to stroll through one of these beautifully decorated villages. Just head for Piazza Minghetti. There you'll find a village of small wooden houses decorated for the occasion. As you can imagine, it is in fact another street market, although very different from the others.

If you are a lover of good food, you will enjoy yourself here much more than you imagine. Your mouth will be watering at the displays filled with some of the best delicacies of French cuisine. See and also taste, because that's what it's all about, offering a little Christmas gift to the palate.

Let yourself be enveloped by the aroma of brioches or the best French cheeses, try the oysters and champagne, warm up with a mulled wine or buy macarons to give as a gift on your return home. And all of this in a typical festive atmosphere. What more could you ask for?

Bologna has a long gastronomic tradition and Christmas is a fabulous time to discover it. A good idea to warm up and feast while you're at it is to take one of the gastronomic tours of Bologna. You will discover a whole world of flavours and aromas.

What delicacies await you? One of the most typical dishes in Bologna is crescentine, a kind of pastry filled with mortadella (from Bologna, of course), salami or cheese. You can also try tagliatelle al ragù, passatelli (a thick noodle soup perfect for warming up) or cotoletta (breaded veal with slices of Parma ham and cheese on top).

But as we are talking about Christmas, if you have the chance, don't miss the tortellini of capon in broth. Also typical are zampone and cotechino, pork sausages accompanied by a green sauce or purée.

And on New Year's Eve, of course, you must eat lentils, which are usually accompanied by these sausages. And for dessert? Panone or certosino, a spiced bread made with honey, nuts, chocolate and spices.

The DiMondi Festival is one of the great cultural events of the city of Bologna. In its winter edition it offers interesting events, many of them coinciding with the Christmas season. Music, sport, theatre, games and gastronomic proposals for all tastes and ages come together in this festival.

If any of the events organised as part of its programme coincide with your stay in the city, don't hesitate to stop by Piazza Lucio Dalla, where they take place. Not only are they interesting, they are also free.

By the way, in the same square, there is an ice rink that delights the little ones. A small curiosity: it is not really made of ice, but of a synthetic material that saves energy.

In Bologna you can experience a very different Christmas and participate as a local in traditions that are sometimes very old, sometimes very curious. If your visit to the city coincides with New Year's Eve, don't miss the Vecchione bonfire. What does it consist of? It consists of burning an enormous figure of an old man, the Vecchione, at midnight.

This enormous figure is the representation of the year that is leaving. The fire takes with it not only the puppet, but also all the bad things of the past year, in the hope that the coming year will be better and that it will be possible to live freely and without burdens. By the way, every year the figure of the Vecchione is commissioned to a different artist, so no two have ever been the same.

This is a relatively recent tradition, dating back to New Year's Eve 1922, but in barely a century it has become one of the almost inescapable events of Christmas in Bologna. However, it is not a new tradition; this huge doll used to be burnt at the same time as Carnival.

Where is the Vecchione placed? In Piazza Maggiore, where musical performances are also organised to welcome the new year in style. This is the place where thousands of Bolognese gather every year to celebrate New Year's Eve.

Epiphany is one of the most beloved festivities for Italians and in Bologna it is experienced in a special way with a small procession recalling the arrival of the Magi in Jerusalem. However, the main protagonist of the night is the Befana. You are sure to come across her in the streets on the evening of 5 January and you will find it difficult to identify her.

But fear not, the Befana is not a witch, even if she looks like one and carries a broom. Or, at least, she is a good witch, as she is the character who leaves sweets, sweets and presents for children who have behaved well.

By the way, while we're on the subject of presents, a little tip: if you have to shop, don't leave it to the last minute. In the days leading up to that magical night , the shops are usually quite busy and you can lose precious time to enjoy the city.

Visiting the best museums in Bologna is always a good idea. Not only are they open at Christmas time, but many of them have special exhibitions or activities that are always interesting. That's why it's worth setting aside a few hours to visit them or take advantage of a day when the weather is particularly inclement.

If you're travelling to Bologna with children, a good plan is to visit the Donini Prehistoric Museum. At Christmas, as well as finding out what this area was like thousands of years ago and discovering its inhabitants, they can take part in workshops and fun activities that will give them a great time.

But if there are museums that are equally popular with young and old alike, it is those dedicated to the world of the automobile. It should not be forgotten that this area of Italy is the birthplace of some of the great manufacturers of super-luxury vehicles, such as Ferrari and Lamborghini. Visiting the best car museums in Bologna will be an incredible experience for everyone, for sure!

And if you are looking for cultural experiences, you will have already realised that in Bologna there is art in almost every corner. That's why you can take refuge from the cold at the Pinacoteca Nazionale di Bologna, the Museum of Modern Art or the Museum of the History of Bologna. In any of them you will enjoy admiring all the treasures they hold.

If your visit to Bologna lasts several days, my advice is to take the opportunity to visit towns within easy reach of Bologna. There are many day trips from Bologna.

You will love the Christmas atmosphere of Modena, Ferrara or Ravenna, so similar but at the same time different from that of Bologna. And while you're at it, you'll discover these monumental cities, which are home to spectacular sights and monuments.

If you're thinking that this might be too tiring a plan, nothing could be further from the truth. Modena and Ferrara are only 50 kilometres from Bologna and can be reached in less than an hour. Ravenna is a little further, but not much more, only 80 kilometres away.

Bologna is always a welcoming city, so you will feel almost at home here. However, before travelling at Christmas, it is important that you take into account some tips:

• Take warm clothes because winters are cold. In fact, the average temperature in December is around 4ºC and the maximum temperature is around 8ºC. Add to that the humidity, which makes it feel quite cold.

• If you're planning to visit a museum, check the website for opening times and days. Take the opportunity to see if they organise any special activities or exhibitions, especially if you are travelling with children. Christmas is a busy time for tourists, so we recommend booking in advance for visits to museums and monuments as well as restaurants. If there is a great time to take a tour in one of Bologna's tourist buses, it is Christmas. Travelling in a panoramic vehicle is one of the best ways to enjoy the atmosphere and the magic of the city dressed in its finery - Bologna' s cultural agenda at Christmas is extensive. It includes everything from concerts of all kinds to theatrical performances, exhibitions and a host of activities for children. If you are staying in the city for several days, I recommend you check the programme, you are sure to find an event of interest to you.