Christmas in Sicily: 5 places for markets, nativity scenes and lights
Last updated on October 28th, 2026.
Christmas in Sicily is mild, illuminated and centered on food, church and family. Palermo has the widest choice of markets. Trapani and Erice are the places to go for nativity scenes. Catania and Syracuse add markets, lights and day trips to nearby towns. Expect cool, partly sunny weather, not beach weather.
Christmas in Sicily is a family holiday built around food, church traditions and time at the table.
It also comes with milder weather than most of Italy. December days in Sicily are cool and often sunny, while daytime highs in northern Italy often stay below 10°C (50°F).
Towns across the island hold Christmas markets, concerts and nativity scenes (presepi), and some of the scenes are performed live by local residents.
In this guide, I'll be covering 5 places to spend Christmas in Sicily, what to see in each and when the main events usually run.
If you're still in the stages of shaping a wider trip, refer to plan a trip to Italy for step-by-step tips.
What is December like in Sicily?
December is a good month to visit Sicily.
Sunbathing and swimming are mostly off the table, but the empty Sicilian beaches are still worth a walk.
Popular sights are less busy in the low season, and many towns hold Christmas events. I go into more detail on these topics in when to visit Sicily and Sicily in winter.
What's the weather like in Sicily in December?
Sicily in December is mild, but not hot. Days are mild with sunny spells, but it's not beach weather, and mornings and evenings feel cool.
I pack sneakers or boots instead of sandals, plus a jacket, and rain is more likely than in summer.
In December 2025, the average daytime high was about 17°C (62.6°F) in Palermo and 18°C (65°F) in Catania, and the average low was about 11°C (52°F) in Palermo and 8°C (47°F) in Catania.
For how this compares with the rest of the country, see Italy in December.
Why spend Christmas in Sicily?
Along with mild temperatures and smaller crowds, there’s another reason to celebrate Christmas in Sicily: the food.
Sicilian Christmas food usually includes an orange and fennel salad to start, a baked pasta as the main and sweets such as buccellati (see more in my guide to Sicilian desserts).
Sicily is one of my favorite places to spend Christmas in Italy, and the Sicilian food alone is a good enough reason.
Christmas in Sicily at a glance
| Place | Main Christmas draw | Typical timing (past events) | Base or day trip |
| Palermo | Markets in Piazza Castelnuovo, nativity scenes, Gangi live nativity | Markets early to late December; Gangi 26-29th | Base |
| Trapani | Custonaci and Castelvetrano living nativities | Custonaci Dec 25-29th and Jan 4-6th; Castelvetrano Dec 8 to Jan 6 | Base or day trip from Palermo |
| Erice | EricèNatale: markets, 30+ nativity scenes, concerts | Dec 7 to Jan 6th | Day trip from Trapani |
| Catania | Markets in Piazza University and Via Minoriti, Caltagirone nativity scenes | Markets Nov 28th to Dec 28th (2025) | Base |
| Syracuse | Ortigia market, Palazzolo Acreide Baroque Tree and living nativity | December to early January; Befana January 6th | Base |
Christmas Day, Santo Stefano and New Year in Sicily
December 25th and 26th, January 1st and January 6th are public holidays in Italy.
On Christmas Day in our coastal town in Sicily, we found some bars open for coffee, but the shops were closed. Larger cities will likely have more services open.
We spent most of the day at home, then drove to Taormina in the late afternoon. Surprisingly, for me, it was packed, mainly with Sicilians home for the holiday.
If you’re staying in a rental, be sure to buy groceries before the 24th.
On Santo Stefano (December 26th), we went to a friend’s house in Savoca for a get-together, which is how many Sicilian, and Italian, families usually spend the day.
Book restaurants and check transport in advance for both days.
I haven’t spent New Year’s Eve in Sicily, so I can’t tell you what’s open that night.
What I can tell you is that fireworks are common on Ferragosto in our town, so I’d also expect them on New Year’s Eve. However, for more accurate listings, check the respective city or town’s local website nearer the time.
Jump to:
5 places to spend Christmas in Sicily
1. Palermo
Palermo, the capital (capoluogo) of Sicily, has plenty going on at Christmas, in the city and across the province.
Piazza Castelnuovo hosts the city’s Christmas market, with wooden cottages selling crafts and food. Smaller markets and fairs run elsewhere in the city, including Piazza Marina.
Palermo also has dozens of nativity scenes in churches and museums.
The cathedral displays a historic presepe with antique statues, and the 18th century church of San Giuseppe del Teatini has another.
The Palatine Chapel (Cappella Palatina) in the Norman Palace (Palazzo dei Normanni) is worth a visit at any time of year.
Gangi
About 120km (75mi) from Palermo is the village of Gangi.
Every year, it stages a living nativity called Da Nazareth a Betlemme (From Nazareth to Bethlehem) in its alleys, stairways, towers and piazzas.
The performance takes place in the historic center’s 'stage' of Gangi’s alleys, stairways, towers and piazzas.
Petralia Sottana
In the mountain town of Petralia Sottana, the presepe 'Petralinium in Preasepio' is a monumental model of the town itself.
A representation of Petralia Sottana in miniature, the artistic and realistic scene is a unique take on the traditional presepe.
December in Palermo
December is a good time for the historic center regardless of the festivities.
During our 2 days in Palermo we saw sights like Quattro Canti and Palermo Cathedral, many of which are free to visit. The Monreale and Cefalu half-day tour is an easy way to reach Monreale Cathedral.
Palermo also works as a base for northern and western Sicily. Mondello, San Vito Lo Capo and Scopello all make perfect Palermo day trips.
2. Trapani
Continuing along the west coast from Palermo is the coastal city of Trapani.
Originally a port city, it's known for its medieval churches, baroque palaces and historic fortifications.
Like Palermo, the province has towns known for their nativity scenes.
Every December in Custonaci, local residents and Sicilian artists stage a living nativity in Grotta Mangiapane, a cave with historic houses inside.
It's among the best-known living nativities in Sicily. It takes place from 25th to 27th December in 2026, and again from 3rd to 6th January in 2027.
About an hour’s drive from Trapani, Castelvetrano is known for its Nocellara olives and sits next to the Ancient Greek city of Selinunte. It's another Sicilian town known for its living nativity scene.
3. Erice
Erice is a medieval hilltop village above Trapani, and one of the most beautiful places in Sicily to visit in any season.
At Christmas, it typically runs EricèNatale - Il Borgo dei presepi, from early December to January 6th.
The program includes markets in Piazza della Loggia and Piazzetta San Giuliano, concerts, a living nativity and more than 30 handcrafted nativity scenes.
On New Year's Eve, Piazza della Loggia usually hosts a party.
4. Catania
Catania sits on the east coast of Sicily at the foot of Mount Etna.
Besides the things to do in Catania in 1 day, the city adds Christmas events from late November through December.
Markets set up in the historic center selling traditional Catanese crafts and artisanal in Piazza Università, Via Minoriti and Via Montesano.
Caltagirone
About an hour by car from Catania, Caltagirone is known for its ceramics and its presepi. It’s also called the Città dei Presepi (City of nativity scenes), and it shows several kinds of nativity scenes each season.
One display is billed as the largest in Italy.
It has over 300 animated terracotta figures, with mountains, streams and old houses. Another is a moving, life-size presepe with about 100 figures in fabric and terracotta.
A living nativity takes place in the Borgo di Granieri, at the Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista. Artistic clay presepi also appear around the historic center, while churches, museums and private venues show antique and modern ones too.
The season runs from early December to early January. The Three Kings arrive in Piazza Municipio on January 6th.
Caltagirone also holds Christmas markets. Locations are usually Piazza Umberto, Galleria Luigi Sturzo and the Ex Pescheria.
The Galleria Luigi Sturzo market focuses on hobbyist crafts. Entry is free.
Viagrande
Viagrande is a small town inside Etna Park. At Christmas, it hosts a market dedicated to Sicilian art and culture.
The setting is Palazzo Partanna, a former princely palace of the Turrisi Grifeo di Partanna family. Artisans, artists, writers and poets present their work there, and children can meet Santa Claus and his elves.
Stands also sell typical Sicilian products, and the program includes concerts.
The atmosphere is quieter and more local than a big-city market.
5. Syracuse
Syracuse (Siracusa) sits on the southeast coast and has plenty of things to do to fill a one-day itinerary.
It's also one of the places I recommend in my guide to where to spend winter in Italy.
At Christmas, you can browse markets, see shows and concerts, and visit the nearby nativity displays.
Syracuse holds a Christmas market in Ortigia, the island that forms the historic center.
It usually runs from December to early January, and the stalls sit among stone alleys, piazzas and Baroque facades.
You’ll find Christmas decorations, ceramics, handmade items and gift ideas. Food stalls sell traditional sweets, citrus, almonds, pistachios and other local products.
The market is close to the Duomo, Fonte Aretusa and the historic food market.
Visit in the late afternoon, when the Christmas lights come on, and time pending, go for a walk along the seafront after.
Palazzolo Acreide
Palazzolo Acreide, in the province of Syracuse, lights up the town center with the Albero Barocco, or Baroque Tree. It's billed as the largest Baroque tree in Sicily.
A living nativity takes place in the historic Ebraida quarter, where actors recreate scenes of everyday life.
Christmas markets are held in the atrium of the town hall where you can buy gifts and local specialties.
On January 6th, the Befana dei Piccoli brings small gifts to children.
Other places in Sicily with Christmas events
The five places listed above are the ones I’d plan a trip around.
Three more towns run Christmas programs that are worth a stop if you’re nearby.
Check the 2026 programs before you go, and treat the following information as a rough guide to what might happen this year.
Taormina
Taormina usually runs a Christmas program from late November to Epiphany on January 6.
Last year, the historic center was decorated with lights, from Piazza Duomo to Corso Umberto. Christmas markets were set up in the Villa Comunale, with craft stalls, local products and gift ideas. There were concerts, including gospel and Christmas music, plus theater evenings and video mapping on the piazzas.
Families could visit Santa Claus, and the village of Trappitello hosted a living nativity.
On New Year’s Eve, there was a countdown in Piazza IX Aprile, while concerts and events continued until Epiphany. While most events were free, some shows had tickets.
Check Taormina’s website for 2026 dates and venues when they’re published.
Ragusa Ibla
Ragusa Ibla is the old Baroque district of Ragusa.
Last Christmas, it ran a program called 'Magia del Natale' from early December to early January.
Christmas markets were set up in the Giardini Iblei, with illuminated fountains nearby. Family activities included a Christmas Village with Santa Claus and elves, a small Santa train and a Christmas parade.
The Via dei Presepi held several nativity displays in churches and exhibition spaces, and a living nativity took place by the Duomo.
The calendar also included concerts, theater and guided tours.
Most markets and exhibitions were free but the Christmas Village and the living nativity needed tickets.
Check the town’s program for 2026 dates, venues and ticketing when it's published.
⏩️ Read: things to do in Ragusa and Modica
Noto
Noto is best known for its Baroque architecture.
In 2025, the town ran a long program of events, starting at the end of November and running into January.
Last year’s events included a bagpipers’ gathering and a Christmas tree lighting. A small Luna Park and an ice rink were set up in the Villa Comunale, and there was also a Santa’s house for children to hand in letters.
Nativity scenes were set up in several parts of town, and weekend food stands and sagre ran in one of the outer districts.
The season closed with a bagpipe parade and a Befana show.
I cover the town in more detail in my guide to things to do in Noto, which helps with sights and getting around.
Map of Christmas events in Sicily
I put the places in this guide on one map, grouped by area: markets, living nativities, light displays and food festivals.
Use it to see which events sit close together and to plan a route between them. Dates change each year, so confirm them before you go.
Sagre in Sicily
Another feature worth noting when visiting Sicily in December are the various sagre you might come across in several towns.
A sagra is a local festival that celebrates the town’s delicacies. Entrance is free but the food and drink are not.
Two that fall in early December include:
- Sagra del maiale e del cinghiale (pork and boar festival), Antillo, Messina
- Sagra della Vastedda Torretta (type of Sicilian bread), Torretta, Palermo
What do you think of these places to spend Christmas in Sicily? Is there any particular destination that you’d like to see? Let me know in the comments below.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that I’ve recommended. Thank you for your support.
Written by Lisa Rivera: Italy traveler and resident for 10+ years. First-hand researched for 2026.
FAQs on Christmas in Sicily
Yes, if you want mild weather, smaller crowds and Christmas events. Days are mild, but expect rain on many days. See my guide to Sicily in winter.
Mild and changeable. In December 2025, average highs were about 62 (17) in Palermo and 65°F (18°C) in Catania. Average lows were 52°F (11°C) and 47°F (8°C). Rain fell on 13 to 15 days, so pack a jacket, boots and a rain layer.
Yes. Palermo, Catania, Erice, Caltagirone, Viagrande, Palazzolo Acreide and Ortigia in Syracuse hold them. Most run from early December to early January.
Erice is called Il Borgo dei Presepi for its 30+ nativity scenes, markets and concerts. Caltagirone is known as the City of Nativity Scenes.
Most shops are closed, though some bars might be open. Public transport might run a reduced service or none at all.
Typical dishes include an orange and fennel salad, pasta ‘ncaciata and buccellati. See Sicilian Christmas food.
Big cities like Palermo and Catania make good bases. They have Christmas activities, shops and transport. Staying in a coastal town or a remote village can be harder, especially on public holidays. If you want winter sunshine, Syracuse is one of the warmest places in Italy in December. See my guide to where to stay in Sicily.
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We have always thought about travelling and spending Xmas somewhere else . Sicily looks amazing for Xmas
It's a wonderful island to celebrate Christmas in 🙂
Sicily's warm Christmas sounds amazing! Perfect for those who crave holiday cheer with sunshine.
It's a great alternative choice for sun seekers!
It would be so strange to spend the Christmas holidays somewhere warm but definitely something to think about there!
It makes a really nice change!
These are some of the best recommendations in Sicily to spend the Christmas holidays. I particularly like to plan a trip during Christmas to Palermo.
It's a fun city with so much to do also around the province
I love everything about Italy. And just the idea of celebrating Christmas in Sicily sounds so fascinating. I love how beautifully you shared about 5 places to spend Christmas in Sicily.
Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed this guide
There is so much to do in Sicily, I'd love to try this out for a change. The cold weather is tiring sometimes. Thanks for sharing!
There is plenty to see and do here, more so at Christmastime!
I hate cold, winter season and would love to spend a warm Christmas in Sicily someday soon! You have provided enough reasons to opt for that, so thank you ❤️.
You're welcome! I hope you consider visiting for Christmas one day
This really does sound very tempting indeed! December sounds like a great time to visit Sicily. I love that it is still fairly warm but quieter in places too. I will have to look further into this!
It is the right kind of warm and much quieter to visit the best attractions 😀
Ooo this all looks like bliss. In fact I think anywhere is Sicily would be brilliant but your suggestions are amazing. What an awesome Christmas xx
Thank you! Sicily is really beautiful and a unique place to celebrate Christmas 🙂
Sicily is absolutely stunning. I think Italy during Christmas looks so magical. I would love to experience a European holiday ^_^
Aw I hope you visit us here one day 🙂
I think it would be wonderful to spend Christmas in another country, this sounds so lovely! Thanks for sharing all of these great spots.
Consider it one day!
The temperature sounds absolutely perfect for me in Sicily! I'd love a good, mild christmas, instead of the cold.
It is perfect and a nice change from the colder weather!
Staying in Sicily over Christmas sounds different and a lovely idea. It's helpful that it's quieter so you can get to see attractions but also enjoy Christmas themed activities like the markets.
There are a lot of Christmas activities in Sicily just with the sunshine 😀
I feel like Cicily would be magical during the holidays. It has such beautiful architecture and views.
It is a unique place to celebrate it
I could easily do Sicily for Christmas! It looks beautiful!
Consider spending it here one day 🙂
This comprehensive guide for Christmas in Sicily has stunning places and architecture. I especially like basilicas and old churches.
December is a great time to visit Sicily and you'll have a lot of the churches and basilicas to yourself 😀
You hooked me at warm weather in December. Italy is on my bucket list, but I will be traveling during the Christmas season for the experience. Thank you for sharing, Lisa.
It is a great time Kevin, especially in December! I hope to see you here one day