Even Bologna is covered in a magical veil at Christmas time. A university town becomes even more special to experience with friends and housemates during the holidays.

Alleys and squares are filled with lights, the city's Christmas Tree is installed, shop windows are festively decorated. In addition, there are all kinds of events being organised in the city and the clubs are even more teeming with young people and families wanting to toast and eat good food.

Bologna in winter offers a lot of satisfaction precisely because there are so many hot dishes to enjoy and so many artistic attractions to visit. Places that in summer might be left out in favour of outdoor activities and trips to the hills, but during the cold season become favourite destinations for citizens and tourists alike.

What's more, during the Christmas period it becomes a real postcard not only beautiful to see but full of activities to do with housemates, partners, friends or family.

Christmas markets in Bologna

Traditional and unmissable, the Christmas Markets in Bologna are set up every year and, each time, attract a huge number of people, even from other cities and regions.

The oldest market is the Fiera di Santa Lucia, which is set up in the portico of the Church of Santa Maria dei Servi in Strada Maggiore. It is the most important Bolognese event with densely decorated stalls where you can find gifts, original decorations for the tree and cribs. There are also food and wine products and flavours of the typical cuisine of the city and its surroundings. This market was recently declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

In Piazza Minghetti, in the centre of Bologna, is the French Christmas Village. A traditional Christmas village made up of wooden cottages, handicrafts, typical foods and various accessories. There is also a wide selection of clothing, as well as handicrafts from beyond the Alps. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Throughout the pre-Christmas period and until Epiphany, you can attend the Christmas Fair in Via Altabella, near the Archbishop's Palace and St. Peter's Cathedral. Here you can find costume jewellery, sweets, gift ideas, everything and more for Christmas shopping and to enjoy the festive period.

Dedicated above all to small artefacts, the DecoMela Art Christmas Market offers a wide selection of bijoux, semi-precious stones, wooden objects and many other items such as ceramics, candles, lamps, leather and fabric accessories.

Antique lovers, under the Voltone del Podestà, will find the Antiques Fair, an exhibition of unique vintage pieces. Christmas shopping continues, or begins, depending on one's point of view, in Piazza XX Settembre with Natale a Porta Galiera (Christmas at Porta Galiera), a market selling clothing, accessories, food, and much more.

At FICO, the largest commercial park in Bologna, the Christmas Village is set up, a real Christmas event and also the largest and most activity packed. Everything is themed to create an engaging and magical atmosphere. Among the attractions here: the Polar Express, a small train that takes you to the North Pole, Santa's Sleigh, in a virtual version, the Ice Runway to the rhythm of music and gigantic light installations.

What to do in Bologna from Christmas to Epiphany

Besides all the Christmas markets, it is the city of Bologna itself that is a magical place to visit in winter, especially during the festive season.

The city's arcades are filled with people, lights and colours, the smells of sweets and roasted chestnuts invade all the streets and the population buzzes with festive spirit. With your housemates, you could spend a chilly afternoon inside a warm room sipping chocolate, spiced herbal teas or coffee. You could also go to the Salaborsa Public Library, a meeting point for many students, but also a place visited by tourists and loved by citizens. Don't miss the archaeological excavations in the basement, visible from the transparent flooring in the centre of the library.

A beautiful walk to take in any season is the one that leads along the portico of San Luca, from Porta Saragozza to the top of Colle della Guardia, where the Basilica is located. It is a long walk, but well worth it to see the Black Madonna, but above all to have a breathtaking view of the city from above. If you push your gaze a little further you can see the expanse of the Bolognese hills, the plain where old houses and farms still stand, and which gradually becomes mountains.

But the activities don't end here, Bologna also offers spas, and there are three different centres in the city: the thermal baths of San Petronio, in the city centre; the thermal baths of San Luca, with a fitness area; and the Felsinee thermal baths with pools of different depths.

On an afternoon or weekend during the holidays, it is also nice to go to the cinema or visit the city's museums, such as the MamBo - Museum of Modern Art, which offers an exhibition itinerary divided into nine thematic areas. But there are also: the Museo Civico Medievale, the Museo Archeologico, the Pinacoteca Nazionale, and Palazzo Pepoli, which collects the history of Bologna.

To stay on the Christmas theme, there is also the Christmas Park Bologna, inside the Parco Nord in Via Stalingrado. A real amusement park with rides, circus shows, stands, stalls and gastronomic products.

Pre-Christmas parties in Bologna with housemates

If your idea of a celebration is closer to an evening, we are also ready to give you ideas for organising a dinner with housemates. You could agree to decorate the house together and then prepare traditional Bolognese dishes or typical dishes from your respective countries together.

The great thing about dining at home is that you can enjoy the festivities atmosphere in complete relaxation and involve everyone in the preparation, an activity that stimulates mutual acquaintance and forges friendships. But if you do not have time or would like to spend a more mundane evening, Bologna offers plenty of trattorias, restaurants and clubs where you can dine without spending too much and enjoy traditional home-style dishes. To name a few: Osteria Bartolini, Trattoria Scaccomatto, Trattoria Zita, Ristorante da Bertino, Trattoria da Vito, Trattoria Anna Maria, but there are also many others.

To end the evening with a perfect Christmas atmosphere, you could treat yourself to a last toast in one of the city's nightlife districts, such as the Quartiere Universitario, via Zamboni and via Belle Arti. Or Piazza Verdi, a true meeting place for young people.