Roberta Agosti: “The Bolzano Christmas Market is all about solidarity”
The Bolzano Christmas Market is looking to Milan to kick off its 35th edition, but its appeal extends far beyond regional borders. From November 26, 2026, to January 6, 2027, the South Tyrolean city will be decked out for the holidays with a packed schedule of events, cultural initiatives, music, sports, and charitable projects. Over the years, this event has become a staple of winter tourism and continues to evolve while maintaining a strong connection to tradition.
Roberta Agosti, acting director of the Bolzano Tourist Board, shared the latest updates during the event’s presentation in Milan: “The Bolzano Christmas Market begins in Milan—it has come a long way—and this year it brings exciting new features. The Milanese public is fond of the Bolzano Christmas Market and those in South Tyrol, which will kick off on November 26 at 5 p.m. and run through January 6, in a festival that celebrates tradition, Advent, scents, and colors. It’s an aspect of our tradition that is well-known and, above all, deeply cherished in our city,” explained Agosti.
There will be more than just the traditional wooden huts and food and wine offerings. The program for the 35th edition will feature numerous events throughout the city center, including musical performances, cultural events, and light installations: “We have a wealth of events, plenty of music, and even a book presentation on December 14. There will also be a very special, refined, and elegant light show that will help make the city’s atmosphere even more enchanting,” the acting director revealed.
There’s also room for sports with one of the most anticipated events on the end-of-year calendar: the BOclassic, the traditional international road race scheduled for December 31, which will bring some of the world’s most famous athletes to the historic center: “We also have sports, with the classic race on December 31—which, not coincidentally, is called the BOclassic. It will fill the historic center with world-famous athletes, who will compete in thrilling 10,000-meter races. It will be a special way to celebrate the end of the year,” emphasized Agosti.
Among the event’s central themes is a focus on social issues. Alongside the Solidarity Market in Piazza del Grano—which hosts organizations engaged in supporting people in vulnerable situations—this year marks the debut of the “Bolzano Mondo Comune” project: “The Bolzano Christmas Markets are also synonymous with solidarity. It has been an important aspect of the event since its inception, not only because of the market dedicated to organizations focused on solidarity, but also because of new initiatives,” explained Agosti.
The project will directly involve the vendors: certain products will be marked with a special sticker, and for every item sold, one euro will be donated to a charitable project: “Starting this year, many vendors will have access to a sticker called ‘Bolzano Mondo Comune.’ By purchasing the marked products, you’ll contribute one euro to an organization or cooperative. The winning project will be selected through a call for proposals by the City, with the results to be announced in the early months of next year,” added the director.
The event is no longer confined solely to Piazza Walther, the historic heart of the Christkindlmarkt, but over the years has expanded to include other areas of the city: “For several years now, the Christmas Market has spread out. It has expanded from Piazza Walther—the heart of the event for the past 35 years—to Viale della Stazione and other squares, such as Piazza del Duomo and Piazza del Grano, where associations also have a presence,” concluded Agosti. This evolution confirms the desire to transform the entire city of Bolzano into a grand Christmas setting, capable of welcoming visitors with a blend of tradition, culture, cuisine, and solidarity.
