The program of initiatives that will enliven the city of Pisa during the Christmas season, from December 5th to January 6th, begins on Friday, December 5th with a series of events organized by the Municipality of Pisa to brighten the holidays for residents and the many tourists who choose to visit the city at this time of year.
In addition to Christmas events, Christmas Markets will be spread throughout the historic center: Piazza Vittorio Emanuele will host 18 stalls from December 5th to January 6th, where you can purchase artisanal products and gift items.
In Logge dei Banchi, again from December 5th to January 6th, there will be a special market with 17 stalls that will also host the artisanal nativity scene (curated by artist Antonio Baragone) and Santa's House, where every weekend boys and girls can deliver their letters to Santa Claus to his elf sidekick.
The Scotto Garden area will host a craft market on weekends from December 13th to 14th and from December 20th to 21st, where initiatives and shows will also be organized. Finally, other craft market stalls will be hosted in Piazza Garibaldi and Via San Francesco from December 13th to 24th.
In addition to the large tree decorated in Piazza XX Settembre, which will be lit as per tradition on Monday 8 December, other trees and installations will illuminate various areas of the city, from the centre to the neighbourhoods: in Piazza Cairoli, Via Fiorentina, the roundabout Viale delle Piagge, the church of Sant'Apollinare a Barbaricina, Cep, Putignano, San Giusto in the green area Elsa Ghezzi, Gagno, Sant'Ermete, Riglione in Piazza Pertini, Via Bargagna, Via di Cisanello, I Passi, Isola Verde via Amendola, Church of San Michele in Borgo, Oratoio Piazza Garibaldi, Eliopoli Calambrone, Church of San Sisto.
PROGRAMME
FRIDAY 5 DECEMBER
The festival kicks off on Friday at 5 pm with the inauguration of the Christmas markets, starting from Piazza Vittorio Emanuele, with the Santa Claus band “Gli ottoni matildici” who will accompany the authorities to Piazza XX Settembre, where Santa Claus will arrive with his Elf to open the house in Logge di Banchi, with the ability to write letters and put them in Santa's mail.
SATURDAY 6 DECEMBER
From 3 pm from Piazza Vittorio Emanuele to Piazza XX Settembre: Workshop presented through LUDOBIKE. Free of Games and Emotions by Artehttps://dl.reverso.net/desktop-app/windowsPlaying about 50 games of skill, balance, fantasy and logic, studied designed in 15 years of research.
From 4 pm from Piazza Vittorio Emanuele to Via Oberdan: Bagpipers with bagpipes and shawm, a two-hour traveling show featuring traditional Christmas music.
3:30 pm and 5 pm in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele: two events with the Puppet Theatre featuring Christmas stories by the Musicomio.
SUNDAY 7 DECEMBER
From 5 pm from Piazza Vittorio Emanuele to Via Oberdan: Codex Naturae traveling performance freely inspired by the fantastic encyclopedia Codex Seraphinianus by Luigi Serafini, Italian artist, architect and designer. With visionary mutations the body is transformed, man changes skin in an eternal symbiosis with nature. The passage of these ethereal and multifaceted hybrid figures enchants, with light, sound and movement. Figures perhaps from another planet, or perhaps from a distant ancestral history of which we perceive faint but insistent memories, edited by Antitesi circo di Pisa.
From 3 pm in Largo Ciro Menotti: workshop presented through LUDOBIKE. Free of Games and Emotions by ArtePlaying about 50 games of skill, balance, fantasy and logic, studied designed in 15 years of research.
MONDAY 8 DECEMBER
From 4 to 6 pm from Piazza Vittorio Emanuele to Via Oberdan: a Christmas costume parade of stilt walkers and jugglers, with stops to interact with the public.
From 3:30 pm in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele: the soap bubble fairy and an original wooden cart spectacular for the continuous production of gigantic bubbles that fascinate both adults and children. It is a true magical chariot that dresses every corner with new light and beauty, giving the wonder of the unexpected to all passers-by
As per tradition, December ’8th will be the day of the lighting of the large tree decorated in Piazza XX Settembre. At 5 pm, the "Scuola Bonamici" will perform Christmas carols with a traveling choir that will depart from Piazza Vittorio Emanuele and arrive in Piazza XX Settembre, where, at 6 pm, the large decorated tree will be lit.
SATURDAY 13 DECEMBER
Scotto Garden: opening of a market selling handmade crafts, ancient traditions, arts, crafts, and intellectual.
From 3.30 pm in Piazza XX Settembre:
Dalle ore 15.30 in piazza XX Settembre: the soap bubble fairy is an original wooden cart spectacular for the continuous production of gigantic bubbles that fascinate both adults and children. It is a true magical chariot that dresses every corner with new light and beauty, giving the wonder of the unexpected to all passers-by.
SUNDAY 14 DECEMBER
4.30 pm in Piazza XX Settembre: Gospel Choir performs a live show featuring Christmas carols and repertoire.
A parade will start from Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II.
From 3.30 pm in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele: the soap bubble fairy and an original wooden cart spectacular for the continuous production of gigantic bubbles that fascinate both adults and children. E’ a true magical chariot that dresses every corner with new light and beauty, giving the wonder of the unexpected to all passers-by.
Scotto Garden: Handmade craft market, ancient traditions, arts, crafts and intellectual works, Christmas items.
Scotto Garden from 11 am: Day and night raptor display and raptor free flight demonstration with glove christening for all interested children and the awarding of a diploma as an aspiring falconer with a free Christmas hat.
SATURDAY 20 DECEMBER
Piazza dei Cavalieri at 3.30 pm: Staffetta di Natale – Aspettando la Regata delle Antiche Repubbliche Marinare, non-competitive demonstration on remergometers, https://www.turismo.pisa.it/en/eventi/Christmas-Relay-2025.
Scotto Garden: opening of a market selling handmade crafts, ancient traditions, arts, crafts, and intellectual works, and Christmas items.
Scotto Garden and downtown: the soap bubble fairy is an original wooden cart spectacular for the continuous production of gigantic bubbles that fascinate both adults and children. E’ a true magical chariot that dresses every corner with new light and beauty, giving the wonder of the unexpected to all passers-by.
SUNDAY 21 DECEMBER
Scotto Garden: Handmade craft market, ancient traditions, arts, crafts and intellectual works, Christmas items.
Scotto Garden at 3.30 pm: the soap bubble fairy is an original wooden cart spectacular for the continuous production of gigantic bubbles that fascinate both adults and children. E’ a true magical chariot that dresses every corner with new light and beauty, giving the wonder of the unexpected to all passers-by.
From 5 to 7 pm from Piazza Vittorio Emanuele to Via Oberdan: parade of luminous butterflies.
WEDNESDAY 24 DECEMBER
From 4 pm from Piazza Vittorio Emanuele to Via Oberdan: Christmas parade with stilt walkers and jugglers in Christmas costumes.
SATURDAY 27 DECEMBER
4 pm in Largo Ciro Menotti: Christmas Country Line Dance animation by the Western Soul dance school.
SUNDAY 28 DECEMBER
4 pm in Largo Ciro Menotti: Christmas Country Line Dance animation by the Western Soul dance school
From 3:30 pm, Piazza Vittorio Emanuele and Piazza XX Settembre: workshop presented through LUDOBIKE. Free of Games and Emotions by ArtePlaying about 50 games of skill, balance, fantasy and logic, studied designed in 15 years of research.
WEDNESDAY 31 DECEMBER
The City of Pisa will celebrate the arrival of 2026 with a large, free New Year's Eve event open to all in Piazza dei Cavalieri, where Alfa, one of the most beloved young Italian artists of the moment, will perform. The show will start at 10 pm, with Alfa starring until midnight. After the toast, the evening will continue late into the night with the DJ set by Demetra & Bianca, a Tuscan DJ and producer duo known for their combination of music, fashion, and artistic performances. At the stroke of midnight, the traditional fireworks will also be held, illuminating the city's Lungarni.
https://www.turismo.pisa.it/en/eventi/New-Year-s-concert-2025
TUESDAY 6 JANUARY
From Piazza Vittorio Emanuele to Via Oberdan: the traveling Befana will tour the streets of Pisa's city center, from Piazza Vittorio Emanuele to Via Oberdan, handing out sweets to the little ones and for selfies.
Piazza XX Settembre: at Santa's house, a meeting and photo with the Befana.
From 3:30 pm in Largo Ciro Menotti: "Impazza il Circo in Piazza," an animated and entertaining show to engage children and young people in an adventure of discovery, play, and fantasy through dynamic and interactive activities. Circus show, learning balancing, juggling, acrobatics, and clown techniques in a safe and fun way, curated by Antitesi circo.
INITIATIVES ON THE COAST
SUNDAY 7 DECEMBER
Car Expo with Christmas parade in red from 10 am to 12 pm in Piazza dei Fiori.
Ponies from 3 to 5 pm at the central park on Via Belvedere.
MONDAY 8 DECEMBER
Christmas party with crochet Tirrenia tree lighting from 4.30 pm at Church of San Francesco.
SUNDAY 14 DECEMBER
Via Belvedere: opening Non-professional market, handmade crafts, ancient traditions, arts, crafts and intellectual works, Christmas items.
Children's ponies by the In Battaglino Equestrian Center.
SUNDAY 21 DECEMBER
Pony from 3 pm to 5 pm at the central park via Belvedere.
Letters to Santa Claus with Elves from 3.30 pm to 5.30 pm at the central park via Belvedere.
MONDAY 22 DECEMBER
Christmas Concert (Junior orchestra Bonamici) from 7 pm to 8 pm at Church of San Francesco.
TUESDAY 6 JANUARY
Befana, bubble fairy, ponies, candy and sweets for children
MARINA DI PISA
SUNDAY 21 DECEMBER
Piazza Fratelli Pontecorvo – Brocantage in the Collectibles, Modernity, Antiques, and Vintage Square
TUESDAY 23 DECEMBER
Letters to Santa Claus with Elves from 3.30 pm to 5.30 pm in Piazza delle Baleari.
TUESDAY 6 JANUARY
Piazza Fratelli Pontecorvo Market with the Befana
Children's ponies by the In Battaglino Equestrian Center.
Befana will distribute candy and sweets to the children.
INITIATIVES IN THE PISA NEIGHBORHOODS: from December 13th to January 6th
SATURDAY 13 DECEMBER
4-6.30 pm Pisanova, via Bargagna 34
Waiting for Christmas – Decorations and Messes: Children's activities with neighborhood tree decorations, letters for Santa Claus, workshops, music, and hot chocolate.
SUNDAY 14 DECEMBER
4-6.30 pm Cep, piazzale Donatello
Waiting for Christmas – Decorations and Messes: Children's activities with neighborhood tree decorations, letters for Santa Claus, workshops, music, and hot chocolate.
MONDAY 22 DECEMBER
Piazzale Donatello al CEP from 10 am to 12 pm at Largo Ippolito Nievo a I Passi from 3 to 5 pm: Santa Claus accompanied by the Elf will collect the children's letters and distribute candy and sweets.
TUESDAY 23 DECEMBER
Piazza della Fornace di Riglione from 10 am to 12 pm: Santa Claus accompanied by the Elf will collect the children's letters and distribute candy and sweets.
TUESDAY 6 JANUARY
Piazzale Donatello al CEP from 10 am to 12 pm: Befana will distribute candy and sweets.
