Bologna Christmas Market 2024: Fiera di Santa Lucia

If you’re in Bologna this winter or nearby, the Christmas market is worth visiting. The city has at least five markets. Fiera di Santa Lucia is one of Italy’s oldest. The smaller Fiera di Natale is near Piazza Maggiore, and the French Christmas Village features French products. The Epiphany Festival takes place along via dell’Indipendenza.

Read on for 2024 dates, locations and opening times.

Bologna Christmas Market Events in 2024

Dates – Confirmed

Bologna dates (Fiera di Santa Lucia): 17th November to 26th December 2024 (confirmed).
Location: Strada Maggiore at Portico dei Servi.

Christmas Fair dates (Fiera di Natale): 22nd November 2024 to 6th January 2025 (confirmed).
Location: Via Altabella at St Peter’s Cathedral, near Piazza Maggiore.

Porta Galliera dates: 18th November 2024 to 9th January 2025 (confirmed).
Location: Piazza XX Settembre.

French Christmas Village dates: 23rd November to 24th December 2024 (unconfirmed).
Location: Piazza Minghetti.

Antiques Fair dates: 12th to 24th December 2024 (confirmed).
Location: Piazza Maggiore.

Epiphany Festival dates: 2nd to 6th January 2025 (unconfirmed).
Location: Via dell’Indipendenza, via Rizzoli and via Ugo Bassi.

Update: This year’s schedule was released in September. Sign up for our newsletter for future updates.

Source: Information obtained directly from the organiser is available here.

Plan Your Visit

Opening Hours

Location: Strada Maggiore at Portico dei Servi.
Opening hours: 9am to 8pm.
Christmas Day: Possibly open.

Travel and Accommodation

Recommended tour: A food tour is highly recommended in Bologna.
Public transport: Widely available and accessible.
Parking: Please take public transport to help limit congestion.
Bologna weather in winter: Temperatures average 7°C / 2°C (high / low) in December.
Where to stay: Art Hotel Commercianti is a highly-rated hotel, steps from the event.

Amenities and Attractions

Admission: Free.
Lights: No announced switch on date.
Ice skating: Not, but at the FICO food theme park.
Santa: No.
Reason to visit: Bologna is all about the food.

Dietary Options

Vegetarian: Yes, plenty of options.
Vegan: Yes, plenty of options.
Gluten-free: Limited. Ask individual vendors, but beware of cross-contamination.
Food specialties: All the regional cuisine like tagliatelle with ragù, tortellini en brodo, parmigiano reggiano, balsamico di Modena, piadina, parma ham and mortadella.

Accessibility

Accessible: Yes.
Pet-friendly: Yes, dogs are allowed on a lead.

Convenient Hotels

The most convenient area to stay in Bologna is the historic city centre near Piazza Maggiore, the main square and location of many events, including some markets.

My top recommendation is Art Hotel Commercianti, located directly opposite the famous basilica. I have stayed in this area, and most of the city’s sights are within walking distance.

If this option isn’t right for you, I curated a list of conveniently located hotels in Bologna.

Recommended Tours

I recommend this city tour of Bologna to see the main highlights. You’ll visit iconic landmarks like Piazza Maggiore, the Fountain of Neptune, and the Basilica di San Petronio.

A food tour is also a must in this foodie city, perhaps even more than a regular city tour. There are many options, but this popular food tour is a great choice.

Find more places to visit this year with my Italian Christmas Markets List.

Location of Fiera di Santa Lucia

Captured a moment that embodies the holiday season? Tag your photos with #UltimateChristmasMarkets — we can’t wait to see your festive finds!

Bologna Specialities

You can find all the typical market specialities here, but you should really try foods local to the Emilia-Romagna region.

Look for local products protected under European law. These must be from the originating city or region and produced according to strict guidelines.

• Balsamic vinegar from Modena: Aged for several years in wooden barrels, this well-known vinegar originates from Modena, not far from Bologna.
• Prosciutto di Parma: This world-famous, air-dried, cured ham comes from the Parma region. You can find Parma ham at almost every deli in the centre of Bologna.
• Mortadella from Bologna: Mortadella is a smooth, pink sausage made from finely ground pork and studded with fat cubes. It is seasoned with spices and sometimes includes pistachios. Typically served thinly sliced as an antipasto or in sandwiches.
• Grana Padano from Piacenza: Similar to Parmigiano-Reggiano, Grana Padano is a hard cheese with a slightly milder flavour and is used for grating over pasta, risotto, or salads.
• Tagliatelle a ragu: A traditional Bolognese dish, tagliatelle a ragu consists of long, flat pasta ribbons served with a slow-cooked meat sauce made from ground meat, tomatoes, onions, carrots and celery.
• Parmigiano-Reggiano: The most famous cheese in all of Italy, this hard cheese is produced in the Emilia-Romagna region. It’s aged for at least 12 months and is often grated over pasta or risotto (as we all know).
• Zuppa Inglese: A traditional Italian dessert, Zuppa Inglese is a layered trifle made with sponge cake, custard, and Alchermes liqueur, which gives it a distinctive red hue. It’s often garnished with whipped cream, chocolate shavings, or fruit.
• Lambrusco sparkling wine: Also from the Emilia-Romagna region, Lambrusco is a slightly sweet, sparkling red wine.
• Tortellini – A signature dish of Bologna, these small, ring-shaped pasta are traditionally filled with a mixture of pork, prosciutto, mortadella and Parmigiano Reggiano cheese.
• Lasagna alla Bolognese – A classic Italian dish.
• Tigelle – These small, round flatbreads are cooked on a griddle and filled with savoury ingredients like prosciutto, cheese and pesto.
• Panettone – A sweet, dome-shaped bread filled with dried fruit and nuts enjoyed at Christmas. Although this is from Milan, you’ll find it’s popular across the country.

Eating Out

Places where you might want to eat out or put on your list for another time:

• La Sorbetteria Castiglione: Start with the essentials and indulge in the best gelato in Bologna. Located at Via Castiglione, 44.
• Osteria dell’Orsa: This popular spot, located at Via Mentana 1, offers affordable lunch specials. Expect queues on weekends.
• Trattoria da Leonida: A crowd favourite on weekends, this trattoria is situated at Vitolo Allemagne, 2.
• Trattoria Anna Maria: This spot, located at Via delle Belle Arti, 17, is famous for its world-class Zuppa Inglese but also serves local specialties.
• Drogheria della Rosa: For high-end daily specials, head to this restaurant on Via Cartoleria.
• 10 Berbere: Enjoy top-quality gourmet pizza made with organic ingredients at Via Giuseppe Petroni, 9.
• Alce Nero: A sister restaurant to Berbere, this eatery focuses on seasonal, local, and organic dishes. Also located at Via Giuseppe Petroni, 9.
• Le Stanze: Experience the most beautiful location for an aperitivo at Borgo di San Pietro, 1.
• Cafe Zamboni: Treat yourself to incredible hot chocolate fondant at Via Zamboni, 6.
• Camera a Sud: A quirky, student-favourite cafe at Via Valdonica, 5.
• Eataly: For gourmet food, cookware, and cookbooks, visit this store at Via degli Orefici, 19.
• Mercato delle Erbe: A fruit and vegetable market located at Via Ugo Bassi, 25.
• Food Market and Shops: Discover various food options and shops behind Piazza Maggiore at Via Pescheria Vecchie.

Amazing Food Markets

Aside from the Christmas market, Bologna’s culinary scene shines during the festive period with food-related events, cooking classes, wine tastings and gourmet shops.

Even if the markets are closed, you can savour the region’s cuisine at various fresh food markets and shops around Piazza Maggiore.

As you wander through the arcades, explore tempting food shops, converse with store owners and hear about in-season produce and cooking tips.

At the Market Stalls

Local Specialties:

• Piadina: A thin Italian flatbread made into a sandwich with various ingredients like sliced meat, cheeses, or vegetables.
• Frittelle: Small, deep-fried dough balls that can be sweet or savoury. Sweet variations are often dusted with powdered sugar or drizzled with chocolate or honey, while savoury versions can be filled with cheese or vegetables.
• Bomboloni: Italian doughnuts filled with custard, chocolate, or jam.
• Supplì: Fried rice balls with a gooey, cheesy centre, often served with a marinara dipping sauce. They are similar to Sicilian arancini but usually have a more elongated shape.
• Castagnaccio: A chestnut flour cake with a slightly dense texture, typically with rosemary, pine nuts, and raisins.

International Specialties:

• Bratwurst: The classic German sausage.
• Churros: Spanish elongated fried dough pastries served with chocolate dipping sauce.
• Mulled wine: Glühwein in German and vin brulé in Italian.
• Raclette: A Swiss dish with melted cheese scraped onto potatoes, bread, or charcuterie.
• Poffertjes: Mini Dutch pancakes, typically served with powdered sugar and butter.

What to Buy

• Ornaments: Artisan-crafted ornaments in various shapes and designs, often made from materials such as glass, wood, or ceramics.
• Nativity scenes: Intricate and beautiful nativity scenes or individual figurines, which may be hand-painted or carved from wood or other materials.
• Italian food products: Gourmet items such as those discussed above.
• Local crafts: Handcrafted items such as pottery, leather goods, textiles, and jewellery that highlight the talents of local artisans.
• Toys and games: Wooden toys, puzzles, and games for children.
• Seasonal clothing and accessories: Warm scarves, gloves, hats, and socks made from high-quality materials like wool or cashmere.
• Sweets and treats: Festive sweets, such as torrone (nougat), chocolate and assorted cookies.

What to Expect

Bologna is known as Italy’s culinary capital and for its gastronomic heritage. It’s worth visiting any time of the year when you can enjoy eating out, visiting museums and exploring the markets.

In December, the historic city centre is decorated with festive lights, decorations, wooden chalets and a large Christmas tree opposite the Fountain of Neptune.

Bologna’s exceptional architecture and historic sites, like the Basilica di San Petronio, the Two Towers, and the Archiginnasio, are beautifully decorated, creating a stunning visual experience.

Live music, theatre performances, and dance shows add to the lively atmosphere. Cultural events showcase the city’s history and artistic heritage, including art exhibitions, workshops, and lectures.

Sustainability Tips

• Shop mindfully: Purchase only what you genuinely need and consider buying local, handmade products to support artisans and the regional economy.
• Walk, cycle, and use public transport: Bologna is a compact, walkable city with a well-connected public transport system.
• Sustainable hotels: Choose a hotel prioritising sustainability by using renewable energy and implementing waste reduction practices.
• Avoid apartment stays: Avoid short-stay apartment accommodations, as they can contribute to a lack of affordable housing for locals.
• Reduce plastic usage: Carry reusable bags, bottles, and containers to minimise single-use plastic waste.
• Eat locally sourced organic food: Support local producers by dining at restaurants and cafes that use locally sourced, organic ingredients. This is very easy to do in Bologna!
• Limit meat and dairy consumption: Adopt a more plant-based diet during your visit to reduce your environmental impact and support more sustainable food systems.
• Explore beyond tourist areas: Venture into lesser-known neighbourhoods and attractions to gain a broader experience and help distribute tourism’s economic benefits.
• Support the arts: Attend local performances, exhibitions, and workshops to support the art scene.

If you visited Bologna in winter or would like to review the Xmas market, comment below. This helps others who are planning on visiting this year.

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Recommendations are independently chosen based on personal travel experiences and extensive research. While we make every effort to provide accurate information, the dates and details listed here should not be relied upon. Please consult the official website before booking your trip or planning a visit.