Este City of Christmas
From Nov. 29, 2025, to Jan. 6, 2026, Este will once again transform into the City of Christmas, with appointments and events capable of restoring a bright, lively and magic-filled atmosphere to the City. For more than a month, streets and squares will be enlivened by markets, shows, music, exhibitions, workshops, concerts and all those traditions that are part of the Atestino Christmas.
The heart of the festival will be, as always, Piazza Maggiore, where from November 22 the eco-skating rink returns, enlarged compared to previous years, open every day with extended hours on holidays. On weekends it will also be enlivened by music and theme nights. Next to it, the traditional Horse Jousting for the little ones.
There will be no shortage of nativity scenes, with the new edition of the traditional “Este nei Presepi” exhibition at the Sala Pescheria, the evocative Porta Vecchia Nativity Scene, suspended over the Bisatto Canal, and the always beloved Mechanized Artistic Nativity Scene in Motta d’Este.
The historic center will come alive every weekend with traditional Christmas markets, as well as street bands, bagpipes, bagpipes, street performers and traveling performances. Families and children will find a wealth of activities: creative workshops in the House of the Elves (Palazzo Sartori Borotto in Trento Square), dance performances and small performances inspired by Christmas.
Not to be missed is the Great Santa Claus Parade on Dec. 7, arriving on a vintage truck accompanied by folk bands and the Vespa Club. Events also include the now traditional Santa Claus Run on Dec. 21 and the original “Reindeer in the Saddle” pedaling ride on Dec. 28, now in its third year.
Music will be a big feature: from the Summertime Choir concert at the Cathedral, to the Orchestre d’Harmonie Christmas Concert. – Banda Comunale di Lozzo Atestino, passing through the traditional Christmas concert of the San Filippo Neri Chorale, to musical performances in churches and squares.
Also on the program are theatrical performances, such as those of the “Metti una sera a…teatro” and “A Teatro con Mamma e Papà” festivals, appointments dedicated to the youngest children in the Library, and the traditional New Year’s Eve events, such as the Festa della Befana in Piazza Guariento and the Epiphany Concert.
