Brixen/ Bressanone Christmas Market

Brixen is a charming small town in South Tyrol that is worth a visit not only at Christmas time.

We went there on the night of the 5 December when they celebrate the visit of S. Nikolaus. Having seen what they do on that day, we would think twice before taking our children to see it again. Nevertheless, it was very interesting and funny, maybe just not suitable for our sensitive munchkins.

We saw a group of teenagers running and screaming. They were followed but those goat like creatures with the devilish faces covered in black soot. They would pretend (I hope) to beat up teenagers and adults and cover their faces with black paste. They were followed by the carriage of S.Nikolaus and another carriage with loud devilish music and red lights. It looked like a picture from Hell.

Brixen Christmas Market is open from 25th November 2010 to 6th January 2011. 

It's closed on 25th December and 1st of January. 

Opening times:  10am-7.30pm weekdays

9.30am - 7pm Sundays and holidays

Bozen/ Bolzano Christmas Market

It is probably the most popular of Christmas Markets in South Tyrol and Italy.

You'll find here all the things you'd expect to see at a Christmas Market: Christmas decorations, traditional food, live music etc. 
What's new this year is an additional stand where mums can breastfeed in privacy and in a warm place, or change their little ones. We've been to 7 other Christmas Markets in Trentino and South Tyrol this year and we havent' seen anything like it anywhere else so well done Bozen!

The Bolzano Christmas Market is open from 26th November to 23rd December 2010.

Mon to Fri: 10 am to 7.30 pm

Saturdays: 9am to 8pm

Sundays: 9 am to 7 pm

Sterzing/ Vipiteno Christmas Market

It's definitely one of our favourite ones, shame it's quite far away from Trento.

You'll find here all the usual Christmas crafts and specialities. 

Here's the website with the opening times (German and Italian only):

http://www.weihnachtsmarkt-sterzing.com/