Christmas in the Pistoia Mountains
Experience the magic of the holidays at high altitude
Abetone CutiglianoSan Marcello PiteglioMarliana
Christmas on Pistoia Mountain: nativity scenes, markets, and festive events for all ages. Discover everything you need to enjoy a magical holiday season.
The Pistoia Mountains welcome the Christmas season with a variety of activities for both adults and children. Nativity scenes, decorated trees, concerts, and markets will bring villages and hamlets to life, creating a magical festive atmosphere.
Stay up to date: discover events and experiences by subscribing to the weekly newsletter.
San Marcello Piteglio
From Sunday, December 7 to Monday, January 5, explore the Christmas Around the Fire program in Piteglio, featuring shows, games, music, and much more. All events are free to attend. Click here for the full schedule.
On Monday, December 8, the Pro Loco of Maresca organizes a day of festive events, including markets and the show Visioni d’incanto, curated by Federico Pieri and Jenny Calmante, among other activities.
Also on Monday, December 8, at 10 a.m., join the initiative Let’s Decorate the Christmas Tree Together and Light It Up in Piazza Ferrucci in Calamecca. This event invites children and adults alike to decorate the town’s Christmas tree, marking the start of the holiday magic. Organized by Calamecca ENews.
On Sunday, December 21, from 4 p.m., at the Church of Santa Barbara in Campo Tizzoro, take part in Waiting for Christmas, with many festive activities organized by the Santa Barbara Choir and the Friends of the New Pro Loco of Campo Tizzoro.
Abetone Cutigliano Christmas
From Sunday, November 30 to Tuesday, January 7, the Santa Claus Cottage will be open, offering a magical space where children and adults can enjoy Christmas stories and classic holiday tales.
On Wednesday, December 3, at 7.30 p.m., join an aperitif with a cabaret show featuring I Ganzissimi di Mammiano at the Circolo Unione Sportiva Melo. For information: +39 347 8154895.
On Friday, December 5, at 6.30 p.m., head to Piazzale Europa in Abetone for the traditional lighting of the Christmas tree.
On Friday, December 5, at the Doganaccia, celebrate the Befana with songs, treats, and the distribution of stockings to children at the Grande Baita refuge. For information: info@prolocodoganaccia.cloud.
From Saturday, December 6, to Monday, December 8, Christmas markets will be held at the Doganaccia from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., featuring artisanal crafts and gift ideas. The markets will also take place on December 13–14 and December 20–21 during the same hours.
From Saturday, December 6, to Monday, January 6 (with breaks on certain dates), the Christmas Village in Abetone will be open from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., offering artisan stands, street food, local products, shows, and entertainment for adults and children. Click here for the full program.
On Sundays, December 7, 14, and 28, at 10 a.m., join a yoga session at the Grande Baita Refuge in Doganaccia. For information: info@prolocodoganaccia.cloud.
From Sunday, December 7, to Monday, December 8, on December 13–14, and from December 19–21, a photography and painting exhibition by Rossella Saluzzo will be on display at the historic Palazzo dei Capitani in Piazza Umberto I (Cutigliano), with visiting hours from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
On Sunday, December 7, from 4.30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., enjoy live music in the square at Abetone with Fabio Santi.
On Monday, December 8, in Pianosinatico, the Christmas lights will be turned on accompanied by a chestnut roasting. The streets will also feature mulled wine and wood carving demonstrations. For information: laltrolatodelcaposaldo@gmail.com
| +39 348 7553865.
Abetone and Cutigliano Christmas
On Sunday, December 14, from 4:30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m., the Santa Claus House will open in the small square under Piazzale Europa in Abetone, offering a magical setting for children and families.
On Saturday, December 20, at 4 p.m., the Gospel Choir Joyful Voices will perform a Christmas concert at the Church of San Leopoldo in Abetone.
Also on December 24, from 4.30 p.m. to 7 p.m., Santa Claus will arrive in Piazza Catilina in Cutigliano accompanied by stilt-walking elves, offering a magical moment for all.
That same day, on December 24, in Pian degli Ontani, the traditional Star of Bethlehem descent will take place, along with stalls featuring local products. For information: prolocovalsestaione@gmail.com.
On Saturday, December 27, at 9 p.m., enjoy a musical evening with karaoke at the Grande Baita of Doganaccia. For information: info@prolocodoganaccia.cloud.
Also on December 27, at 9 p.m., join the traditional Panforte Game at the Circolo Unione Sportiva Melo, a fun local event quickly becoming a holiday tradition. For information: +39 347 8154895.
On Sunday, December 28, from 3.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m., Abetone hosts Christmas for Children, with activities including giant bubbles, face painting, a prize wheel, and much more.
On Monday, December 29, from 6.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m., the traditional Torchlight Parade for families and ski clubs will take place in Abetone, accompanied by a DJ set. For information: +39 334 9666026.
On Tuesday, December 30, from 6.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m., the Grand Torchlight Parade with fireworks will light up Abetone, featuring live music by Radio FM at Piazzale Europa.
On Wednesday, December 31, at 5 p.m., children will perform a Christmas carol parade at Doganaccia. For information: info@prolocodoganaccia.cloud.
During Christmas and New Year’s Eve, Doganaccia 2000 offers two festive gastronomic events, allowing visitors to enjoy the flavors of the Montagna Pistoiese and traditional holiday dishes in a warm and convivial atmosphere.
On Thursday, January 1, from 4.30 p.m. to 7 p.m., start the New Year in Abetone with a 90s DJ set at the Christmas markets in the square under Piazzale Europa.
On Thursday, January 1, from 6 p.m. to midnight, join the New Year Torchlight Parade on the slopes of Doganaccia with instructors and young skiers from the Ski Club. For information: info@prolocodoganaccia.cloud.
On Friday, January 2, from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Cotton candy Day will take place at the Christmas markets under Piazzale Europa, Abetone, with a DJ set and 100 free cotton candies for visitors.
Saturday, January 3, and Sunday, January 4, enjoy a concert at the small church in Doganaccia featuring soprano Maria Coppi and Maestro Stefano Carmassi. For information: info@prolocodoganaccia.cloud.
On Saturday, January 3, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., the Council Chamber of Palazzo dei Capitani in Cutigliano hosts a book presentation of Toschino Giovanni Toschi with Paolo Bottari, Giovanni Toschi, and journalist Tonino Raffa.
Also on January 3, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., a roaming performance with illuminated stilt walkers will entertain visitors at the Christmas markets under Piazzale Europa, Abetone.
Saturday evening, January 3, at 7.30 p.m., enjoy an aperitif and cabaret with I Ganzissimi di Mammiano at the Circolo Unione Sportiva in Il Melo. Later, at 9 p.m., join the karaoke night at the Grande Baita of Doganaccia.
On Sunday, January 4, from 2 p.m., taste fritters from Azienda Agricola I Taufi and mulled wine at Rifugio La Grande Baita in Doganaccia. For information: info@prolocodoganaccia.cloud.
On Monday, January 5, marks the return of the traditional Star of Bethlehem descent in Pian degli Ontani, now in its 41st edition, with local food stalls.
Also on January 5, in Pianosinatico, the Befana celebration invites families to enjoy games, sweets, and gifts for children. For information: +39 348 7553865, laltrolatodelcaposaldo@gmail.com.
At Doganaccia, on January 5, enjoy Befana Songs at Rifugio La Grande Baita with music, sweets, and gift distribution for children. For information: info@prolocodoganaccia.cloud.
On Monday, January 5, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., the Val Sestaione area hosts Befana’s song, with local singers moving through villages and public spaces. Organized by Pro Loco Val Sestaione.
On Monday, January 5, from 4.30 p.m. to 7 p.m., Cutigliano hosts La Befana, with photos, sweets, coal, and gifts for children, organized by Giocart.
On Tuesday, January 6, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., the Befana arrives in Abetone with the Misericordia band, parading through the Christmas markets.
On January 6, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., Santa Claus meets Befana and local singers in Piazza dell’Acerone in Pian degli Ontani, offering gifts to children and concluding performances by the cantori. For information: prolocovalsestaione@gmail.com.
Marliana
In Serra Pistoiese, from Sunday, December 7, through Monday, December 8, and during the following weekends, the medieval village hosts Christmas at Serra. Visitors can enjoy lights, handcrafted nativity scenes, and scenic walks to experience the magic of Christmas in the Montagna Pistoiese. More information on Instagram: @serrapistoiese.
Ski areas and winter sports in Pistoia Mountains
Per gli appassionati degli sport invernali, il Comprensorio sciistico Abetone Val di Luce e quello della Doganaccia offrono un’ampia gamma di opportunità per sciare e divertirsi sui suggestivi crinali dell’Appennino Tosco-Emiliano. Con piste di vari livelli di difficoltà, queste località sono perfette sia per sciatori esperti che per chi si avvicina per la prima volta a questo sport.
Clicca qui per saperne di più.
Scoprite la sezione Esperienze per rimanere aggiornato sulle iniziative dedicate alla Montagna Pistoiese: trekking, ciaspolate, escursioni in notturna, visite guidate.
For winter sports enthusiasts, the Abetone Val di Luce and Doganaccia ski resorts offer a wide range of opportunities to ski and enjoy the stunning ridges of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines. With slopes suitable for all levels, these destinations are perfect for both experienced skiers and those trying the sport for the first time.
