WhatsOnAbruzzo – 29th December – 4th January

An exciting WhatsOnAbruzzo for the close of 2025 and the beginning of 2026!  As always, don’t forget to check our monthly calendar and reviews of events

CHILDREN & FAMILY

• Christmas Kids Village – Tortoreto [TE] · Wed 31 Dec–Sun 4 Jan – Enchanted square for children with shows, games and festive set-ups in Piazza Berlinguer. VIEW ➝
• Natale Teramano – Terramè – Teramo [TE] · Mon 29 Dec–Sun 4 Jan – City Christmas village with ice rink, children’s theatre and family activities running until Epiphany. VIEW ➝
• Natale a Pescara – Family Events – Pescara [PE] · Mon 29 Dec–Sun 4 Jan – City programme with parades, street artists, kids’ shows and festive corners in the centre. VIEW ➝
• Pescara Christmas Village & Santa’s Post Box – Pescara [PE] · Mon 29 Dec–Sun 4 Jan – Enchanted woodland, Santa’s post box and decorations around Piazza Sacro Cuore. VIEW ➝
• Natale a L’Aquila – Family Ice Rink – L’Aquila [AQ] · Mon 29 Dec–Sun 4 Jan – Ice rink, wheel, lights and family attractions around Piazza Duomo. VIEW ➝
• Natale tra arte e tradizione – Museo delle Genti – Pescara [PE] · Mon 29 Dec–Sat 3 Jan – Family activities and workshops over the holidays in this ethnographic museum. VIEW ➝
• Natale a Popoli – Special Openings – Popoli [PE] · Mon 29 Dec–Sun 4 Jan – Holiday openings of the Ducal Castle and village events (family-friendly). VIEW ➝
• Natale Cellinese – Cellino Attanasio [TE] · Mon 29 Dec–Sun 4 Jan – Lights, markets and children’s entertainment in a hill village above the Vomano. VIEW ➝
• Natale Tortoretano – Tortoreto [TE] · Mon 29 Dec–Sun 4 Jan – Full Christmas calendar with kids’ events, shows and markets between borgo and lungomare. VIEW ➝
• Living Nativities for Families – various villages [CH][TE] · Thu 1–Sun 4 Jan – Many presepi viventi continue into early January (Giulianova, Casalbordino, Brecciarola etc.). VIEW ➝

CHRISTMAS MARKETS & VILLAGES

• Mercatini di Natale – Pescara [PE] · Mon 29 Dec–Sun 4 Jan – Central Christmas market with chalets and festive food in Piazza Sacro Cuore. VIEW ➝
• Villaggio di Natale – Caramanico Terme [PE] · Mon 29 Dec–Sun 4 Jan – Mountain Christmas village with wooden huts, music and lights. VIEW ➝
• Mercatini di Natale – Penne [PE] · Mon 29 Dec–Sun 4 Jan – Hill-town markets in the centro storico. VIEW ➝
• Mercatini di Natale Magici – L’Aquila [AQ] · Mon 29 Dec–Sun 4 Jan – Enchanted markets, lights and attractions around Piazza Duomo. VIEW ➝
• Mercatini di Natale – Avezzano [AQ] · Mon 29 Dec–Sun 4 Jan – Christmas stalls and events in the Marsica’s main town. VIEW ➝
• Il Borgo Incantato – Campo di Giove [AQ] · Mon 29 Dec–Sun 4 Jan – Atmospheric mountain markets and decorations in a stone village. VIEW ➝
• Mercatini di Natale – Roccaraso [AQ] · Mon 29 Dec–Sun 4 Jan – Ski-town markets with food stands and crafts. VIEW ➝
• Christmas Market – Silvi Marina [TE] · Mon 29 Dec–Sun 4 Jan – Seaside stalls, lights and street food on the lungomare. VIEW ➝
• Natale Tortoretano – Markets – Tortoreto [TE] · Mon 29 Dec–Sun 4 Jan – Markets and shows split between sea and hill borgo. VIEW ➝
• Mercatini nel Borgo – smaller borghi across Abruzzo [AQ][CH][PE][TE] · Mon 29 Dec–Sun 4 Jan – Many markets listed in the 2025 Abruzzo Christmas roundup. VIEW ➝

FOOD, WINE & WINTER FLAVOURS

• Christmas Beer Fest (closing days) – Roseto degli Abruzzi [TE] · Mon 29–Tue 30 Dec – Craft beers, street food and music in a coastal town. VIEW ➝
• Natale Teramano Food Corners – Teramo [TE] · Mon 29 Dec–Sun 4 Jan – Local specialties and street food stands alongside Terramè events. VIEW ➝
• Piazza Food Stalls at Pescara Markets – Pescara [PE] · Mon 29 Dec–Sun 4 Jan – Vin brulé, fritti and Christmas sweets around the market chalets. VIEW ➝
• Street Food & Dolci – Caramanico Terme [PE] · Mon 29 Dec–Sun 4 Jan – Local mountain specialities inside the Christmas village. VIEW ➝
• Scurcola Marsicana – “Per le vie del Borgo” (aftertaste week) – Scurcola Marsicana [AQ] · Sat 3–Sun 4 Jan – Flavours of the village with typical dishes and wine routes continuing from the 27–28 Dec event. VIEW ➝
• Hotel & Ristorante “Corte dei Tini” – Cenone di Capodanno – Villa Vomano, Teramo [TE] · Wed 31 Dec – New Year’s Eve gourmet dinner in a historic villa between hills and Gran Sasso. VIEW ➝
• Local Food at Mercatini – Campo di Giove & Roccaraso [AQ] · Mon 29 Dec–Sun 4 Jan – Mountain cheeses, cured meats and sweets in ski-area markets. VIEW ➝
• Village Food Stalls – Penne [PE] · Mon 29 Dec–Sun 4 Jan – Christmas market stands serving traditional snacks and hot drinks. VIEW ➝
• Christmas Tasting Rooms – L’Aquila [AQ] · Mon 29 Dec–Sun 4 Jan – Seasonal tastings in the Natale a L’Aquila circuit. VIEW ➝
• Hotel Packages with Dinners – Rivisondoli & Alto Sangro [AQ] · Mon 29 Dec–Fri 2 Jan – New Year half-board stays featuring Abruzzo festive cuisine. VIEW ➝

MUSIC, CONCERTS

• Capodanno in Piazza con Gianna Nannini – Pescara [PE] · Wed 31 Dec, evening – Free New Year’s Eve concert on the seafront with Gianna Nannini. VIEW ➝
• Concerto di Capodanno con Irama – Pescara [PE] · Thu 1 Jan – New Year’s Day pop concert as part of the city’s holiday programme. VIEW ➝
• Concerti di Natale & Capodanno – Natale Teramano – Teramo [TE] · Mon 29 Dec–Sun 4 Jan – City calendar of concerts and shows in piazze and theatres. VIEW ➝
• Concerti di Natale a L’Aquila – L’Aquila [AQ] · Mon 29 Dec–Sun 4 Jan – Choirs and Christmas music in churches and squares. VIEW ➝
• Christmas Inside – Corale – San Salvo [CH] · Fri 2 Jan – Choral concert in Chiesa San Nicola (chorus festival dates spill into this week). VIEW ➝
• Capodanno alla Corte dei Tini – Villa Vomano [TE] · Wed 31 Dec – Elegant New Year’s Eve gala dinner & live music in an 18th-century villa. VIEW ➝
• Musica dal vivo nei Mercatini – Campo di Giove [AQ] · Mon 29 Dec–Sun 4 Jan – Evening live sets in the Christmas village. VIEW ➝
• Concerti nei Borghi di Natale Tortoretano – Tortoreto [TE] · Mon 29 Dec–Sun 4 Jan – Small concerts and choirs in borgo and marina. VIEW ➝
• Musica & Spettacoli – Natale a Pescara – Pescara [PE] · Mon 29 Dec–Sun 4 Jan – Street bands, DJ sets and performances across the holiday week. VIEW ➝
• Capodanno nei Borghi del Tour “Capodanno in Abruzzo” – vari borghi [AQ][CH][PE][TE] · Mon 29 Dec–Fri 2 Jan – Organised New Year tour with dinners and local music in small towns. VIEW ➝

MUSEUMS & EXHIBITIONS

(incl. Free Museum Sunday – Sun 4 Jan)

Regular holiday exhibitions

• Caravaggio – La Rivoluzione della Luce – Teramo [TE] · Mon 29 Dec–Sun 4 Jan – Major exhibition at the ARCA/Civic museum complex. VIEW ➝
• Andrea Pazienza – La matematica del segno – MAXXI L’Aquila [AQ] · Thu 1–Sun 4 Jan – Retrospective on the cult comics artist. VIEW ➝
• Museo delle Genti d’Abruzzo – Natale tra arte e tradizione – Pescara [PE] · Mon 29 Dec–Sat 3 Jan – Holiday-themed visits and creative labs for families. VIEW ➝
• Museo Paparella Treccia – “Carlo Carrà. Il segno e il ricordo” – Pescara [PE] · Mon 29 Dec–Sun 4 Jan – 20th-century painting exhibition open throughout the holidays. VIEW ➝
• MuNDA – Museo Nazionale d’Abruzzo – L’Aquila [AQ] · Mon 29 Dec–Sun 4 Jan – Collections in the restored 16th-century castle, with special holiday hours. VIEW ➝

Sun 4 Jan – Free Museum Day (Domenica al Museo)

On Sun 4 Jan, state museums and archaeological sites take part in Domenica al Museo – free entry for everyone.

Abruzzo state museums & sites you can visit for free:

• MuNDA – Museo Nazionale d’Abruzzo – L’Aquila [AQ] – Art & archaeology in the 16th-century castle. VIEW ➝
• Area archeologica di Amiternum – San Vittorino, L’Aquila [AQ] – Roman theatre and amphitheatre remains. VIEW ➝
• Castello Piccolomini – Museo d’arte sacra della Marsica – Celano [AQ] – Castle and sacred art collections. VIEW ➝
• MUSE’ – Museo Paludi di Celano – Celano [AQ] – Archaeological site and museum on prehistoric wetlands. VIEW ➝
• Museo archeologico nazionale d’Abruzzo – Villa Frigerj – Chieti [CH] – Key regional archaeology collections. VIEW ➝
• Museo archeologico nazionale “La Civitella” – Chieti [CH] – Archaeology museum over the ancient amphitheatre. VIEW ➝
• Parco archeologico di Iuvanum – Montenerodomo [CH] – Roman site in the Maiella foothills. VIEW ➝
• Museo Casa natale di Gabriele d’Annunzio – Pescara [PE] – Birth house of the poet, with extended holiday openings. VIEW ➝
• Museo archeologico nazionale di Campli – Campli [TE] – Archaeology in a small historic town near Teramo. VIEW ➝

HIKES, NATURE & OUTDOORS

• Ciaspolate Monti Pizzi – Monti Pizzi, Alto Sangro [CH] · Tue 30 Dec–Sun 4 Jan – Daily snowshoe outings above Rivisondoli & Pescocostanzo. VIEW ➝
• Ciaspolate vista mare + SPA – Maiella orientale [CH] · Tue 30 Dec–Sun 4 Jan – Snowshoes with Adriatic views & spa options. VIEW ➝
• Capodanno in Abruzzo – Tour di 5 giorni – vari borghi [AQ][CH][PE][TE] · Mon 29 Dec–Fri 2 Jan – Organised coach tour exploring small mountain and hill villages with walks and visits. VIEW ➝
• Cavallo in Valle del Tirino – Valle del Tirino [PE] · Mon 29 Dec–Fri 2 Jan – Horseback excursions along the turquoise Tirino river. VIEW ➝
• Ciaspolate Campo Felice & Monte Orsello – Altopiano delle Rocche [AQ] · Tue 30 Dec–Sun 4 Jan – Guided winter hikes & sunset snowshoes. VIEW ➝
• Ciaspolata al Rifugio Sebastiani – Monte Velino area [AQ] · Sat 3 Jan – Full-day snowshoe hike to a high-altitude refuge. VIEW ➝
• Majella Nature Experiences – Winter Holidays – Maiella National Park [CH] · Fri 2–Sun 4 Jan – Multi-day nature experiences and excursions with Il Bosso. VIEW ➝
• Treni dei Mercatini / Treni di Natale – Sulmona–Roccaraso [AQ] · Sat 3–Sun 4 Jan – Final festive departures of the Transiberiana-style tourist trains. VIEW ➝

Author: Sam Dunham

Sam is a freelance SEO content creator and IGCSE Geography and English teacher at Istituto Cristo Re in Rome. She also runs the Life In Abruzzo Cultural Association, sharing stories and insights about this captivating region.

Alongside raising a teenager, Sam hosts guests at her family’s traditional home, the Little House of the Firefly in Abruzzo, offering a warm welcome and insider tips on local culture, food, and hidden gems.