At the end of November, before the winter closure, the courtyard, loggias and halls of San Pietro in Cerro Castle host ‘La magia di Natale – Idee creative’(The Magic of Christmas – Creative Ideas). The 2026 edition is scheduled for 28 and 29 November.
Heading south and into the hills, further Christmas markets can be found in Vigoleno and Castell’Arquato. Now a regular fixture is the ‘Winterland’ market on 8 December, held in the streets of the village and in the monumental square of Castell’Arquato. The small village of Vigoleno, meanwhile, is hosting events on the weekends in late November and early December for the winter of 2026 with ‘Aspettando Natale(Waiting for Christmas)’.
Another event with a long-standing tradition is ‘La sagra della lumaca e mercatino di Natale’ (The Snail Festival and Christmas Market) in the village of Bobbio in the picturesque Val Trebbia. For 2026, the event is scheduled for 6 December.
On the border with Cremona, a special edition of the vintage market is held in Castelvetro Piacentino on 8 December.
In the province’s westernmost valley, the Alta Val Tidone municipality usually organises a number of events on weekends in December right up until Epiphany.
Whilst the villages provide a picturesque backdrop for the Christmas markets, there are also plenty of options for Christmas shopping in the town.
Every year, from late November until Christmas Eve, the traditional market is held in Piazza Cavalli, with wooden stalls hosting craftspeople and culinary delights. Every weekend, the square comes alive with events, music, choirs and Father Christmases to lead the town towards 25 December.
In the former Church of the Carmine, next to Palazzo Farnese, you’ll find the vintage and craft markets ‘Creare’ and ‘Abat-Jour’, whilst the ‘A/Mano Market’ takes place in the former Church of Sant’Ilario and beneath the arcades of Palazzo Gotico.
In the run-up to Christmas, the Pubblico Passeggio also traditionally hosts ‘Mercanti di Qualità’, who offer special Christmas selections throughout the winter season.