The events and news of this year
Also, this year the magic of Christmas returns to Verona! At this time of the year, the city dresses up for a party, it is coloured with lights and the atmosphere is invaded by the warm smell of sweet pancakes and mulled wine. Lots of appointments scheduled for this 2018. Here is the complete calendar of the Christmas of the records!
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11th edition of the Christmas Market: from November 16th to December 26th, 2018
In collaboration with the “Christkindlmarkt” (the Baby Jesus Market) in Nuremberg, the characteristic wooden houses will be back, always full of Christmas decorations, garlands, wood, glass and ceramics, and exquisite food and wine specialties.
And here is the first news plate 2018: unlike the past few years, will not be involved only Piazza dei Signori, but the entire city! You will find wooden houses and stalls also in Piazza Cortile Mercato Vecchio, Via della Costa, Piazza Indipendenza, Piazza Viviani, Lungadige San Giorgio, Ponte Pietra, Ponte di Castelvecchio and Piazza San Zeno, for a total of over 100 exhibitors. The gift ideas for the whole family will certainly not fail!
Even Torre dei Lamberti and the Funicular of Castel San Pietro will take part in the event: during the many happy hours you will be able to observe the colourful banquettes from above, tasting hot chocolate, mulled wine and delicious desserts and almond biscuits. In Lungadige San Giorgio, then, fun will be guaranteed for adults and children: there are over 100 events planned, while children can send their letters to Santa Claus and try the new “Merry Christmas” Joust, a fantastic attraction in shape of Christmas tree that will also meet the needs of those who are sitting in a pram.
The appointment for the Christmas Market will be from 10.00 to 21.30 from Sunday to Thursday and from 10.00 to 23.00 on Friday, Saturday and holiday eve, except for 24, 25 and 26 December in which the houses will close respectively at 5.00 pm, 4.00 pm and 6.00 pm.
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35th edition of the International Crib Rally: from 25th November 2018 to 20th January 2019
In this case too, the Arena Foundation has organized for you a record show: 400 cribs coming not only from all over Italy but from museums and private collections all over the world. Also, the imposing Star Comet that “was born” from the Arena and “falls” in Piazza Brà, always the symbol of this event, for 2018 it will be from Guinness World Record: the 88 tons of steel that reach a maximum height of 100 meters will make it the largest archisculpture in the world.
The International Crib Rescue will be waiting for you every day at the Palazzo della Gran Guardia, in Piazza Brà, from 9.00 to 20.00. The ticket price will be 7 € full or 6 € reduced (for groups of minimum 20 people, children between 6 and 12 years and adults over 65 years). Admission is free for children aged up to 6 years.
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Review of cribs in recycled material: from December 7th to December 26th, 2018
Thanks to the collaboration with Amia (Azienda Multiservizi di Igiene Ambientale), you will see exhibited in the Giustizia Vecchia Gallery (near the Basilica of San Zeno) and in the Loggia di Frà Giocondo (in Piazza dei Signori) a series of beautiful cribs made with recycled material. A very original and above all ecological idea! Admission will be completely free.
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21st edition of Santa Claus on motorcycles: 15 December 2018
The Christmas motorcyclists will leave from Villafranca around 4.30 pm and arrive in Verona at 8.00 pm, passing from Via Mantovana, Stradone Santa Lucia, Viale Piave, Porta Nuova, Corso Porta Nuova, arriving at Piazza Brà, where you will find a refreshment with tea hot, soft drinks and pandoro.
The event, aimed for obvious reasons also for fun and socialization, aims above all to raise awareness on the topic of safe driving and alcohol-free. The registration fee will be 5 euros and all proceeds will be donated to charities to non-profit associations that deal with people with autism and Down Syndrome.
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Melegatti Verona Christmas Run: December 16th, 2018
“Alone you walk, together you change a life” will be the motto of the hundreds of Santa Claus who, starting at 10.00 on Sunday, will invade the streets of Verona centre with this non-competitive race for charity.
Both routes of 5 and 10 km, starting from Piazza Brà, will be suitable for the whole family. If you want to join you too, the registration fee will be 7 euros, including bib and gastronomic products, or 15 euros including a Santa Claus dress. All children up to 10 years, if accompanied by a parent, can participate for free and will also get a free Santa Claus hat.
A portion of all the proceeds will be donated to the paediatric intensive care unit of the Verona University Hospital.
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AGSM Christmas on Ice: from 18 November 2018 to 6 January 2019
After last year’s break, the ice rink will return for Christmas 2018. For the first time, the setting will be Piazza San Zeno, in front of the famous Basilica del Santo.
The track will not only host fans of funny skating in the family, but also real champions of this sport, which will give life to exciting shows. All shows will be free.
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Banquets of Saint Lucia: from 10 to 13 December 2018
The feast of Saint Lucia has always been one of the oldest and most heartfelt occurrences in Verona. In the night between December 12th and 13th, Saint Lucia, helped by her faithful donkey and her friend Gastaldo, will bring sweets and gifts to all the good children and coal to those who did not behave well and did many whims. When the Saint arrives, the children must already be in bed and with their eyes closed, to prevent the ashes from blinding them. This legend derives from a serious illness spread in the XIII century, which struck the children above all.
In the days that precede the feast of Saint Lucia, you will discover in the heart of Verona 260 banquets with regional gastronomic specialties and handicrafts, as well as the inevitable sweet pancakes of Santa Lucia.
What are you waiting for then? Book your stay in one of the structures of the International Europe Hotel group and immerse yourself in this Christmas fairy tale. Believe me, you will not want to wake up anymore!