Naples reveals itself as a truly captivating city at any time of year, with countless activities to enjoy and attractions to explore. However, if you get the chance, we’d recommend visiting the capital of Campania during the Christmas season when the city is beautifully decorated with festive lights and ornaments, and festive events multiply, enchanting both adults and children alike.
Christmas is a deeply cherished celebration in Naples, where locals love to respect the many traditions of the season and embrace these special days with vibrant festivities and folklore. So, during the weeks of Advent, the city streets are bathed in truly magical atmosphere, with numerous Christmas markets organised alongside shows and musical events.
San Gregorio Armeno is undoubtedly a must-visit stop for anyone in Naples during the Christmas period. However, it’s worth noting that other areas of the city are also decorated with elegant nativity scenes, Christmas markets or host special events. Nativity enthusiasts shouldn’t miss the Presepe Cuciniello displayed at the Museum of the Certosa di San Martino, whilst children will enjoy visiting the Christmas village at Mostra D’Oltremare.
San Gregorio Armeno, known to all as “the Street of Nativity Scenes”, is located in the heart of Naples between Via dei Tribunali and Spaccanapoli. All year round, the street is characterised by artisan shops selling Neapolitan nativity figurines. Meticulously handcrafted by master artisans who pass their craft down through generations, the figurines of San Gregorio Armeno are a Neapolitan product now famous throughout the world. Here, alongside traditional nativity characters, you’ll also find figurines depicting famous personalities, politicians, sportspeople and international jet-set celebrities.
The Vomero is a leafy neighbourhood of Naples that some find romantically charming. The area is renowned for its historic and cultural sites but also for the magnificent views it offers over the Bay of Naples. The Vomero Christmas markets are popular with both locals and visitors, usually set up from early December until 6 January in Piazza degli Artisti, Via Enrico Alvino and the area around Via Kauffmann. You’ll find numerous stalls selling Italian handicrafts, nativity figurines, Christmas decorations and typical Neapolitan cuisine.
The National Railway Museum of Pietrarsa has in recent years become home to one of the city’s most beautiful Christmas markets. Usually from late November, the outdoor area is set up with charming wooden chalets decorated with festive lights and ornaments, selling local gastronomic products, clothing, homewares and decorations.
Plus, numerous activities are organised for both children and adults, including shows, cabaret and live concerts. Children can visit Father Christmas’s house, write and post their letters with their wishes, and admire the Polar Express locomotives. During December, the Museum and market are accessible via the Pietrarsa Express historic train which departs from central Naples and arrives directly at Pietrarsa.
Finally, a visit to the Christmas markets is an excellent opportunity to also explore the Pietrarsa Railway Museum, which recounts the history and evolution of Italian railways.
At the vast Mostra D’Oltremare venue, which normally hosts fairs, congresses and competitions, a large Christmas Village is organised during the festive season. Within this village, wooden chalets in Nordic style are set up selling products and gift ideas such as crockery, home decorations, clothing and much more.
Children will be transported into a magical and fairytale world thanks to numerous rides, an elf circus, face-painting activities and parades of famous storybook characters. The food area spans almost 2,000 sqm and showcases producers of the finest Campania specialities. Visitors also have access to a 300 sqm skating rink where you can hire skates and have fun with friends.
Just outside the historic centre, in the area known as Edenlandia, the Ice Kingdom is set up. This area features an ice skating rink as well as a unique setting with snow-capped mountains and glaciers. In addition to a small market, Christmas shows and musical events are organised here.
In the following map you can see the location of the main places of interest mentioned in this article.
Towns around Naples are also full of markets and activities to enjoy. If you’re in Naples during the Christmas period, you can’t miss a visit to Salerno, famous for the “Lights of the Artist” event which is now renowned throughout Italy. Towards the end of November, the historic centre, streets, squares and parks are adorned with artistic light displays that create truly magical atmosphere and attract thousands of visitors.
Not far from Naples, you’ll find Father Christmas’s village set up in the Valle dell’Orso area in the municipality of Torre del Greco. Here children can have fun meeting Father Christmas and his elves, as well as enjoying rides and numerous recreational activities suitable for different ages.
Other towns worth visiting include Apice (in the province of Benevento), which hosts “Christmas Markets at the Castle” at the Castello dell’Ettore, and the small village of Castellabate which features stalls and Christmas events. Finally, just a short distance from the Royal Palace of Caserta, the Enchanted Garden of Father Christmas is set up.
The city of Naples boasts numerous traditions and customs linked to the festive season. Even the days leading up to Christmas are celebrated with the folk spirit and gaiety that characterise this region. From typical dishes to characteristic items: here are some useful suggestions on dishes to try and articles to buy in Naples in December.
The Neapolitan culinary tradition is truly extraordinary and the Christmas season boasts several typical and characteristic dishes. Among the most famous dishes found in many markets is the “cuoppo napoletano“, a cone filled with bite-sized pieces of fried fish and battered vegetables. Another street food to try is “Scagliozzo”, a cone containing triangles of fried polenta often garnished with parmesan and pepper. This cone can also be served with savoury doughnuts or panzarotti. Don’t miss the famous Pizza a portafoglio and the Parigina, which is a pizza made with two types of dough. Another typical dish is the “cuzzetiello“, a hollowed-out roll with no crumb and filled with meatballs and ragù sauce. Other typical dishes eaten during the Christmas period include fried fish (such as cod and eel), tortellini in broth, minestra maritata and baked macaroni pie.
Also famous are friarielli, which are fried turnip greens or broccoli rabe sautéed with garlic, oil and chilli; these are often found as a side dish to meat or fish. “Friarielli” should not be confused with “friggitelli“, which are a type of pepper with a bitter rather than spicy flavour, fried in a pan. Those with a sweet tooth shouldn’t miss struffoli, rum babà and the celebrated Neapolitan pastiera. Sfogliatella and sweet zeppole are also true delicacies to savour.
Christmas markets in Naples are the right place to purchase splendid objects and articles from local tradition. The first place to find an original gift is San Gregorio Armeno, where you can buy beautiful handmade nativity figurines. In other areas of the city too, you’ll find artisan shops selling nativity representations.
There’s no shortage of items typical of the territory such as Capodimonte porcelain, Vietri majolica or Campania ceramics. Fashion lovers can find plenty of handmade items in Naples, as Neapolitan tailoring is a long-standing tradition of the region. In numerous shops and markets you can purchase or have made articles such as hats, gloves, ties and knitwear.
Those looking for something related to food and wine can find the classic Limoncello, made with lemons from Amalfi or Sorrento, or Nocillo (or Nocino), which is considered the quintessential “Neapolitan digestif” and is traditionally made at home with walnuts. Artisan pasta is also a very famous product. In particular, Gragnano pasta is one of the most renowned and has been produced in family workshops in the area since the eighteenth century. Finally, coffee lovers can purchase a “cuccumella“, the popular Neapolitan coffee pot that boasts a special coffee-making technique. This can be paired with a package of ground Neapolitan coffee.
It’s now a tradition for the entire night of 23 December to keep the Christmas fish market open at Porta Nolana, also called “mercato ‘ncopp e mura”. Here you can buy fish and other products for Christmas Eve dinner and Christmas lunch; however, other fishmongers in the area have now begun to do the same and stay open throughout the night between 23 and 24 December to sell fresh fish.
The city also holds centuries-old traditions regarding games and family activities. Among the most celebrated is certainly Tombola with the inevitable Neapolitan Smorfia, accompanied by the games of Mercante in Fiera and Saltacavallo.
Among the things to do in the city during the Christmas period is certainly taking part in concerts or operas held at theatres and churches. In particular, the San Carlo Theatre offers an extensive programme of operas and ballets for the Christmas season, whilst the Teatro Nuovo also boasts a rich offering of performances. Finally, many churches, such as the Basilica of San Lorenzo Maggiore, host classical music concerts or gospel choirs.
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