Val Gardena, the Christmas Valley

When the small, wooden huts open for the Advent period, the Val Gardena turns into an authentic Christmas valley. The Christmas village in Ortisei, "Nadel Urtijëi" in Ladin, with its stalls in Tyrolean style is set up around the St. Anthony church. Here you can taste regional products and local cuisine and attend various events. From the end of November to the beginning of January you can experience the magical Christmas atmosphere at the foot of the Dolomites. The traditions of the valley harmoniously intertwine with the goods offered by the stallholders.

In 2024 this Christmas market celebrated its 10th anniversary. Other related events are the "Mountain Christmas", or "Nadel da Mont" in Ladin in Selva Gardena at the end of the valley. This alpine-style Christmas market is held in the same time period as the aforementioned one. A special attraction awaits you here: the wonderfully decorated cable car to the Val Gardena ski slopes. Stallholders showcase their products in nine wooden stalls and 13 small wooden gondolas.

The most popular items sold at this Christmas market are undoubtedly the wooden figures of the nativity scenes which have been manufactured by local woodcarvers, a tradition which has been handed down to the future generations for centuries. Woodcarving, a once widespread hobby among the farmers during the winter season, has now become a highly appreciated art. Santa Cristina**, the third village of the valley, takes part in this Christmas event as well. In occasion of the Immaculate Conception on 8 December, the Cor Sasslong choir and a clarinet quartet enchant visitors with their sweet Christmas melodies.