Italian Christmas Markets mercatini di natale

Happy December 1st! Christmas is fast approaching. There are only 24 days left to shop! If you are lucky enough to find yourself in Italy at this time of year, you can visit one of the many Italian holiday markets that appear in many cities up and down the boot. These markets are popular with the locals as well as visitors from abroad. They spring up all over the Trentino region—the northern part of Italy closest to Germany—and there are also many spectacular markets in cities further south in Florence, Rome, and Naples.

For a listing of the top ten Italian Christmas markets click this link published by Italy Magazine.

Walks of Italy has published a pretty great listing of Italian Holiday Markets as well!

I am a particular fan of the Christmas market in Rome that is held each year in Piazza Navona. It is where a friend of mine purchased for me a Befana doll. La Befana is the Italian Christmas witch that brings presents to good little boys and girls. Sound familiar? More on the Befana in a future post! Stay tuned!

In Naples – Napoli – you will also find the largest Christmas market selling nativity scenes. In Italian, they are called presepe. There is a street in Naples – Via San Gregorio – that sells presepe all year long. You can purchase all kinds of structures and figurines; all handcrafted to create your very own unique manger scene.

This Saturday, December 3rd I too will be participating in an Italian Christmas market in San Francisco. The local Italian women are putting together a holiday event at the Italo-Americano Museo in Fort Mason Center. (2 Marina Blvd., Building C). On Saturday the market opens at 10 am and runs until 6 pm. On Sunday we begin at 10:30 and close at 5 pm.

Of course, Sophia will be there! I have been invited to take part in the Italian Christmas market and will be selling books and signing them. I will also have other Sophia gifts and goodies for sale as well.

Come join the fun this weekend and get a jump start on your holiday shopping. Stop by for a chat and pick up your signed copy of Dreaming Sophia!

p.s. I will post pictures after the weekend market on the blog!

Here are a couple of videos of Italian markets I thought you would enjoy. Buona festa and happy viewing!