Christmas in the Hamlets of the Rimini Riviera

Christmas in the hamlets of the Rimini Riviera is a journey back in time, blending the ancient traditions of Romagna with the magical holiday atmosphere.

Each village in the hinterland has its own characteristics and peculiarities: Sant’Agata Feltria and Pennabilli welcome you with their markets,  Verucchio awaits you for the ‘trekking dei presepi’ (nativity scene trek) and a gospel choir concert, Santarcangelo di Romagna offers you the Christmas of the ‘Luoghi dell'anima’ (Places of the Soul), in Novafeltria you can discover the Palazzo del Natale (Christmas Palace) while San Giovanni in Marignano revives tradition with the Antica Fiera di Santa Lucia (Ancient Fair of Saint Lucy).

The journey through Rimini Riviera’s inland begins in Sant’Agata Feltria, which becomes the "Christmas Village" on the first three Sundays of December. This is the most important winter event in central Italy for Christmas market enthusiasts, drawing thousands of visitors from far and wide. The extensive displays offer gift ideas, artistic handicrafts, and beautifully crafted decorations, all wrapped in an atmosphere rich with charm and old traditions.

The event is filled with performances inspired by ancient customs: traditional bagpipers, Santa bands, and Christmas music create a sweet and nostalgic ambiance.

From Sant’Agata Feltria, the journey continues to Pennabilli, where traditional Christmas celebrations are brought to life, accompanied by markets, children's workshops, Christmas choirs and the magic of the living nativity scene. This year's edition stands out for its evocative central theme: ORA et LABORA. The focus will be entirely dedicated to promoting the “Flavours and Knowledge” that are deeply rooted in our land, with particular attention to the products of the convents of the diocese of San Marino and Montefeltro, the excellence of local craftsmanship and locally sourced products.

Verucchio awaits you with its traditional Gospel Concert and a series of initiatives for a Christmas spread across the Old Town and Villa Verucchio, with a calendar full of events, concerts, shows, solidarity and traditions that will accompany citizens and visitors throughout the Christmas period.

Once again this year, Christmas in Santarcangelo will be intertwined with the film festival “I Luoghi dell’Anima” (10–14 December 2025), combining the magic of the festive season with cinema and culture. The programme offers a packed calendar of events for young and old alike, with markets and nativity scenes showcasing local traditions, entertainment and workshops in Santa Claus’s new home, and artistic and cultural events linked to the festival and other town initiatives.

Novafeltria - and its hamlets - presents a schedule of activities for everyone. Do not miss the Magical Christmas Palace in Secchiano, where Father Christmas will collect all the children's letters in a setting of magical illuminations and markets.

Finally, in San Giovanni in Marignano, it is possible to immerse oneself in the tradition of the Antica Fiera di Santa Lucia (Saint Lucy's Fair), a thousand-year-old fair that revives both the traditions linked to the winter solstice and the celebration of the patron saint of sight and the village's rural vocation. Not to be missed, once in the village, is the Granary of Christmas and Nativities.