Christmas in Rimini
The programme below is the one from the last edition, running from November 2025 to Epiphany 2026.
The calendar for the coming Christmas is not out yet: we update this page as soon as Rimini city council publishes it, usually in November. In the meantime the fixtures that come round every year, from the lights to the Sand Nativity and the Ice Village, give a reliable idea of what to expect.
Rimini over the holidays is one long story made of lights, the winter sea, markets and traditions, mixed in with modern installations, shows, exhibitions and cultural events.
This guide takes you month by month through the city's Christmas atmosphere, in a simple, warm and down-to-earth way.
November: The Magic Begins
November is the spark that sets everything off. It is the perfect month for anyone who wants to enjoy Rimini at a gentler pace, when the wait for Christmas is still a whisper and the city is just beginning to glow.
23 November: switching on the lights, "Il Sogno del Natale"
This is the symbolic moment that opens the season. Rimini lights up with:
- Over 90 km of lights
- Stars, moons, planets and comets
- Installations in the old quarters, the centre and along the seafront
- Set pieces at the Arch of Augustus and in Piazza Cavour
- Giant architectural trees in the main squares
- Warm, traditional overhead decorations
A genuine "planetarium sky" wrapped around the whole city.
The Sand Nativity and the Ice Village, from 30 November
At the end of the month two pillars of Christmas in Rimini take shape: the Sand Nativity, the largest installation of its kind ever built here, with imposing sculptures modelled by professional artists, and the Ice Village with its skating rink, circus shows, craft market and lights along the sea.
Markets and the first fairs
- 23 November to 6 January: the Mercatino dei Sogni di Natale in via Poletti, with wooden chalets and the splendid French carousel in Piazza Malatesta
- 24 November: Rimini Antiqua, vintage pieces, mid-century design and collectors' curiosities
- 24 November: Domeniche ad Arte, a small fair of local crafts along Corso d'Augusto
December: The Heart of the Season
December is when Rimini is at its best. The city literally lights up under a glowing sky that ties together the centre, the old quarters and the seafront. Every corner offers music, lights, art and the flavours of Romagna.
Art, museums and discoveries
The ART CARD lets you visit three landmarks of the city: the Fellini Museum, the Museo della Città and the Domus del Chirurgo. A perfect option if you want to mix the festive mood with cultural discoveries. For admirers of Rimini's great director there are special dates such as the Fellini Experience, which retraces the places and the inspirations behind his work.
The nativity scenes of Rimini
The Sand Nativity (Marina Centro): an artistic giant unlike anything else, with 450 sq m of space, 15 sculpture groups and figures over 4 metres tall, in a marquee open every day.
The wooden nativity at Torre Pedrera: at Bagno 65, a handmade Nativity of figures carved in wood, with echoes of the seafaring life.
The Darsena nativity: striking and eagerly awaited, with divers arriving by torchlight at night.
Nativity scenes in the churches: at the Tempio Malatestiano, an exhibition of nativities from around the world; at the church of San Bernardino, a show of fine pieces made in olive wood, cherry wood and plaster.
Rimini Ice Village
The Christmas village by the sea offers:
- A covered skating rink of 600 sq m
- Skate hire and "penguin" supports for younger children
- Craft chalets
- Circus shows by the Happy Circus
- A glowing setting thanks to the seafront installations
A perfect spot for families, couples and groups of friends.
Christmas markets and fairs
- The Sundays of December: the old town turns into one big open-air market
- Christmas Fair (15 December to 6 January): the hub of Christmas shopping in Piazza Tre Martiri
- Christmas Tree Fair (11 to 24 December): firs, arrangements and seasonal plants at the Tiberius Bridge
- Artigiani al Centro (1 and 8 December): designers and makers from the area
- Borgo Natale (14 and 22 December): Borgo San Giuliano welcomes craftspeople and small antique dealers
The taste of Romagna tradition
December is the ideal time to discover the local food: steaming cappelletti, passatelli in broth, rustic lasagne, traditional sweets and the good humour of the Arzdore, the "queens of the Romagna kitchen".
Among the more elegant options: breakfast and afternoon tea at the Caffè del Teatro Galli, a refined spot that over the holidays looks like something from an old postcard.
Things to do in Borgo San Giuliano
- Tastings of local olive oils on Wednesdays in December
- Workshops for children
- A Christmas market at weekends
- The Borgosolidale charity initiative, supporting social projects
- Traditional specialities such as Le Cantarelle
- The "Canta la Cantarella" choir festival
Along the coast
Viserba, Viserbella and Torre Pedrera put on full programmes for all ages: workshops, Father Christmas's house, little trains, carriages, marching bands, traditional tombola, ice skating by the sea and parties for the arrival of Christmas and of the Befana.
Theatre, cinema and big shows
The December calendar holds over 150 events: concerts, storytelling, film festivals, performances at the Teatro Galli, meetings with Italian and international artists, jazz seasons and live music.
Among the highlights: international dance, classical and modern theatre, festivals such as Amarcort and Luoghi dell'Anima, and the concert seasons of the Sagra Malatestiana.
Sport, wellbeing and the outdoors
The Parco del Mare, the new pedestrian seafront, is made for panoramic walks, outdoor fitness areas, cycle paths and quiet moments facing the sea. At the Bike Park near the station you can hire a bike and explore some 130 km of cycle routes.
The main sporting event: Ginnastica in Festa, Winter Edition (5 to 8 December), a national draw for athletes, families and fans.
January: Saying Goodbye to the Season
January brings the curtain down on the holidays, but Rimini keeps its energy. The start of the year is an ideal time to take the city slowly, enjoy the last markets, admire the nativity scenes and join the traditional Epiphany events.
1 January: a brave dip in the winter sea
Some call it madness, others a lucky ritual: in Rimini the New Year's Day swim is a small collective feat, full of enthusiasm and a dash of nerve. Both at Torre Pedrera (bagno 65) and in the Marina Centro area at piazzale Boscovich, groups of daredevils take on the freezing waves to start the new year with a symbolic gesture of renewal.
6 January: the city fills with tradition
Epiphany Grand Concert: the Teatro Galli hosts the concert of the Banda Città di Rimini, an elegant musical occasion that, after days of celebration and bustle, offers a calmer moment.
Travelling with the Three Kings: an absorbing re-enactment involving cultural groups and local communities. A small "festive migration" crosses the city, recalling the old tradition of the Magi and turning streets and squares into a living story.
Final markets and events
Some of the best-loved parts of Christmas in Rimini stay open until Epiphany:
- The Christmas Fair in Piazza Tre Martiri
- Markets in the historic quarters
- Roaming entertainment and workshops for children
- Closing events at Viserba, Viserbella and Torre Pedrera, with parties, tombola and visits from the Befana
January becomes the "sweet aftertaste" of the season: fewer crowds, more atmosphere.
Why visit Rimini at Christmas?
Christmas in Rimini is not simply a calendar of events: it is a shared story made of lights, the sea, traditions, creativity and taking part.
Visiting Rimini between November and January means walks under a glowing sky, nativity scenes unlike any others, markets and home cooking, shows, concerts and exhibitions, a seafront that stays welcoming even in winter, and an atmosphere that brings culture and good company together.
FAQ: Christmas in Rimini
The official switch-on is on 23 November, with the event "Il Sogno del Natale". From that moment over 90 km of lights illuminate the old town, the historic quarters and the seafront.
The lights stay on until 6 January, the feast of the Epiphany.
Yes, the Sand Nativity has an entrance ticket. It is at Marina Centro, in a covered marquee of 450 sq m with 15 sculpture groups and figures up to 4 metres tall.
It is open every day from 30 November to 6 January. For up-to-date prices, check the official Rimini city council website.
The Ice Village is on Rimini's seafront, near piazzale Fellini. The covered skating rink is 600 sq m and offers skate hire and "penguin" supports for children.
Entry to the village is free; skating is charged. The village also has craft chalets, circus shows and food areas.
Borgo Natale takes place on 14 and 22 December in Borgo San Giuliano, near the Tiberius Bridge. The quarter welcomes craftspeople and small antique dealers with their work.
Through December the quarter also hosts tastings of local olive oils (on Wednesdays), workshops for children and the Borgosolidale charity initiative.
Over the Christmas period the handiest car parks are those at the railway station and in the old town. At the Bike Park near the station you can hire a bicycle to get around easily.
For the seafront and the Ice Village there is parking in the Marina Centro area. On the busiest weekends it is best to come by public transport or on foot.