Christmas in Taranto, Events and things to do
Updated at: 13-11-2025
How this content can help you:
- You will discover the Christmas traditions of Taranto, starting with the Feast of Santa Cecilia, which marks the beginning of the festivities.
- You will learn about unmissable events like the Sagra della Pettola Tarantina, tasting the pettole, a typical local specialty.
- You will visit the Nativity Scene Exhibition "The City and Christmas," immersing yourself in the art of Taranto's nativity scenes.
- You will explore musical traditions with Christmas carols performed throughout the streets of the city.
- You will participate in workshops and events for all ages, fully experiencing the Christmas atmosphere.
Christmas in Taranto is a celebration rich in history, music, typical flavors, and traditions that captures the essence of the holiday season. Starting late November 22nd, Christmas in Taranto 2025 is a feast for the senses: the sound of bands, the aroma of sweets, the light reflecting on the waters of the Mar Grande and Mar Piccolo create a symphony that accompanies the weeks until Epiphany.
Christmas in Taranto 2025
Christmas in Taranto 2025 symbolically begins on November 22, the day of the Feast of Saint Cecilia, with an event that combines tradition and music. At 3 am, the Lemma City of Taranto Band Complex passes through the city streets performing Christmas pastorals in honor of Saint Cecilia.
This nocturnal ritual not only celebrates Saint Cecilia, the patron saint of music, but also creates a moment of profound connection between residents and visitors, marking the transition from autumn to the Christmas holidays.
After Saint Cecilia, Taranto transforms into a vast Christmas village that encompasses the city center, from Borgo Umbertino to the Old Town, passing through Piazza Maria Immacolata and Via Mignogna. The lights, decorations, and ornaments create a warm and captivating atmosphere, where every street becomes a stop on a journey through music, aromas, and traditions.
Spending time in Taranto during Christmas is an unforgettable experience, where the magic of the holidays is intertwined with a rich cultural tradition. Between traditional music, unique events and a welcoming atmosphere, this period is perfect for those who want to discover Christmas in Puglia in its most authentic form.
Taranto Christmas Markets 2025: Flavors and Tradition
The Taranto Christmas Markets are set up in the city center at the end of November, following the magical Feast of Santa Cecilia. Christmas in Taranto 2025 will thus come to life, and the city center will transform into a veritable village of wonders.
Starting at the end of November, the streets of the historic center - from Borgo Umbertino to Piazza Maria Immacolata, passing through Via Mignogna and the surrounding areas - are filled with lights, music, and irresistible aromas.
This is where the Christmas Markets in Taranto come to life, with their characteristic wooden stalls, the charming ice skating rink, Santa's House, and the inevitable food stands where you can sample the finest Apulian specialties.
Featuring local crafts, traditional sweets, and Christmas decorations, Taranto's Christmas markets offer a warm and authentic experience, ideal for those seeking the charm of the holidays in a unique Mediterranean atmosphere, suspended between sea, history, and tradition.
Taranto Christmas: "The City and Christmas" Nativity Scene Exhibition
The Santa Maria della Scala Cultural Center in Taranto presents the 40th edition of the art collective and nativity scene exhibition, "The City and Christmas", a must-see event for lovers of Christmas traditions and art.
This art collective is an important tradition for Christmas in Taranto, showcasing unique nativity scenes created by local and national artists. Each work tells a story, blending art and spirituality into a moving experience.Â
The nativity scene exhibition "The City and Christmas" is the perfect opportunity to rediscover the charm of Christmas traditions in the enchanting setting of the Santa Maria della Scala Cultural Center. This event offers a unique experience for the whole family, combining creativity and spirituality.
Exhibition Dates and Hours
The exhibition will be open from December 14 to January 7Â with the following hours:
- Weekdays: 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
- Holidays: 10:00 AM to 12:15 PM
This event is designed for all ages, offering the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the Christmas spirit.
Feast of Saint Cecilia: A Symbol of Christmas in Taranto
The Feast of Saint Cecilia is not just a religious event, but it represents the very soul of Christmas in Taranto. It is a moment when past and present come together, keeping centuries-old traditions alive.
The celebration of Saint Cecilia, patron saint of music, has its roots in the traditions of the shepherds from Abruzzo. During the transhumance, the shepherds would arrive in Taranto with their flocks, bringing with them instruments such as bagpipes, shawms, and pipes.
Their melodies echoed through the narrow streets of the city, creating a unique atmosphere that is still recreated today with the same Christmas spirit.
The key elements of the Feast of Saint Cecilia are:
- Traditional Music: The Christmas pastorals, performed by the “Lemma City of Taranto” Band Ensemble, recall the ancient melodies once played by shepherds in honor of Saint Cecilia.
- Rituals: The procession and culinary customs are an essential part of Taranto’s cultural identity.
- Community Involvement: The entire city takes part in the celebration, making this event truly one of a kind.
The day that inaugurates the Christmas festivities, November 22, continues with numerous events:
- “Balconi in Festa” (Festive Balconies): Residents enjoy musical performances from their balconies, creating a charming and picturesque scene.
- Community Sharing: The traditional pettole (fried dough balls) are offered to passersby in building courtyards, reinforcing the city’s strong sense of togetherness.
- Evening Rituals and Procession: At 6:00 PM on November 22, the statue of Saint Cecilia leaves the Cathedral of San Cataldo, accompanied by the confraternities, and proceeds through the streets of the Old Town.
Christmas in Taranto 2025: Music, Faith and Flavor
In Taranto, Christmas is not just an event — it’s a story that renews itself each year. The city’s oldest traditions, such as the celebration of Saint Cecilia, blend seamlessly with everyday life, offering visitors moments of genuine emotion.
The pettole, golden and fragrant, are the queens of the Taranto Christmas table: best enjoyed warm, often paired with a glass of local wine, honey, or sugar.
But the Christmas season in Taranto doesn’t stop there. The sannacchiudere — small fried pastries dipped in honey — and the carteddate decorate the holiday tables, telling a sweet and aromatic story passed down through generations.
Visitors during this time are captivated by the warmth of the people and by Taranto’s unique way of celebrating Christmas with simplicity and beauty.
The lights, the music, the sea, and the scent of sweets create a mosaic of sensations that accompany visitors throughout the festive season.
The Pettole: The Taste of Taranto’s Christmas Tradition
During the opening festivities of the Christmas season — the Feast of Saint Cecilia — while musical groups perform traditional melodies, the people of Taranto actively take part in the celebration by preparing Pettole, soft bread fritters typical of the local tradition.
- Origin of the Pettole: In ancient times, shepherds received food in exchange for their songs. The pettole symbolize this gesture of generosity and sharing.
- Tasty Variations: Pettole can be enjoyed with salted codfish, sugar, or cinnamon, offering both savory and sweet versions.
Epiphany Fair 2026: The Final Embrace of Taranto’s Christmas
The Christmas season concludes with the traditional Epiphany Fair, scheduled from January 4 to 6, 2026, between Via Mignogna and Piazza Maria Immacolata. It marks the final highlight of Christmas in Taranto 2025, a moment of joy and togetherness that brings residents and visitors together.
The colorful stands offer sweets, toys, and handcrafted products, while music and children’s entertainment fill the air with a cheerful, family-friendly spirit. During the fair, the last Christmas lights reflect over the sea, and the city bids farewell to the holidays with the same melodies that began them: the pastorals of Saint Cecilia.
What to do at Christmas in Taranto
Christmas Events in Taranto
| Date | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| November 22 at 3:00 | Feast of Santa Cecilia (Christmas opening) | historic center |
| November 27 at 6:00 pm | Mar&Cultura Laboratory | Piazza Castello, at the Municipal Gallery |
| December 3 at 5:00 pm | "Snowflakes decorate our homes", children's workshop | Piazza Castello, at the Municipal Gallery (InfoPoint) |
| December 07 at 7:00 pm | Sagra della Pettola Tarantina, the Taranto Christmas sweet | Historic Center of Taranto |
| December 9 | Lighting of the Christmas tree, installation on a rowing boat in collaboration with "Palio di Taranto" | Piazza Castle, Municipal Gallery |
| December 9 at 5:00 pm | "Santa Claus invades our homes" | Piazza Castello, inside InfoPoint |
| from 09 December to 06 January, from 9 to 20 | Nativity scene exhibition, with "Ass. Italiana Amici del Presepio" | Piazza Castello, Galleria Comunale |
| December 11 at 6:00 pm | "Art&Gusto" workshop with a visit to the historic center and aperitif | Piazza Castello, InfoPoint |
| from December 14 to January 7 | Nativity Scene Exhibition "La CittĂ e il Natale" by Centro Culturale Santa Maria della Scala | Taranto city center, Via Duomo 208 |
| December 16 at 5:00 pm | Presep&Art, nativity scene construction into InfoPoint Proloco | Piazza Castello, InfoPoint |
| December 23 at 5:00 p.m | Let's build the elf's door while waiting for Santa Claus to come home | Piazza Castello, InfoPoint |
| December 30 at 5:00 pm | Tombolata Tarantina, group game for adults and children | Piazza Castello, InfoPoint |
| January 4 | Befan&Art, the legend of the Befana and traditional stocking, for adults and children | Piazza Castello, InfoPoint |
Experience Christmas in Taranto 2025
Christmas in Taranto 2025 offers an authentic experience, where tradition, faith, and conviviality come together in an atmosphere of sounds, lights, customs, and aromas unique to this city. The Feast of Santa Cecilia is just the beginning of a period packed with events and celebrations that make Taranto an unmissable destination during the Christmas holidays and Epiphany. Christmas in Taranto tells the story of a community that celebrates the holidays with passion and authenticity.
Taranto, with its sea, its history, and its people, offers a different Christmas: more authentic, more heartfelt, more human. Those who choose to spend the holidays here will discover a place that doesn't simply decorate, but truly lives the magic of Christmas. An experience that lingers, like the winter sunlight reflecting on the waters of two seas.
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