Not many visitors know it, bat there are plenty of things to enjoy in Puglia during the Christmas holiday season. In the period from Immacolata on December 8 (the Feast Day of the Immaculate Conception) to Epiphany on January 6 you can immerse yourselves in the magical atmosphere of Christmas markets, Living Cribs, listen to life Christmas songs, performances of mucicians playing the bagpipe (zampognari) and taste seasonal specialties.
While it is beautiful all year round, during the winter holidays Puglia becomes even more magic with Christmas lights and decorations. If Christmas for you is all about family, traditions, spirituality, excellent food and a cheerful mood, then head to Puglia on Christmas and New Year holidays and learn several celebratory traditions of Puglia.
1. Visit some Christmas markets
Check our tips on what to do in Puglia during the Christmas holiday season, if you are going to travel to this southern Italian region in the period from Immacolata on December 8 (the Feast Day of the Immaculate Conception) to Epiphany on January 6.
While it is beautiful all year round, during the winter holidays Puglia becomes even more magic with Christmas lights and decorations. If Christmas for you is all about family, traditions, spirituality, excellent food and a cheerful mood, then head to Puglia on Christmas and New Year holidays and learn several celebratory traditions of Puglia.
2. Visit the Presepi Viventi in Alberobello, Matera and other places in Puglia
When in Puglia on Christmas holidays, don’t miss a chance to see the live display of the Nativity scene, Presepe Vivente in Italian. The tradition of live Nativity scenes, the theatrical performance of the Christ’s birth, is especially popular in southern Italy. You will be surprised that more than 30 towns of Puglia organize the live Nativity scene representation during the Christmas holiday season, usually on December 22-26 and January 3-6.
The most scenic and original live Nativity performances are considered those in the ancient amphitheatre of Lecce, among the trulli of Aberobello and the stones of Matera. The first live Nativity scene in charming Ostuni dates back to 1972, and it is now a renowned event that attracts locals and visitors of Puglia to admire this unique representation.
More eminent presepi viventi take place in Tricase, Gallipoli, Specchia, Oria, Trani, Polignano A Mare, Canosa di Puglia and many other towns. Feel the magic Christmas atmosphere of Puglia, by going to the best Presepi Viventi – Nativity performances – of this marvelous Italian region!
3. Enjoy Seasonal Specialties
If you are in Italy’s boot heel during the festive season, taste some of the most delicious traditional Christmas desserts of Puglia: cartellate, pesce di pasta di mandorla and purciadduzzi!
The Puglia holidays are just not complete without typical Christmas sweets! Savor yummy cartellate, fried spiraled dough covered with sweet vincotto (cooked wine), and taste heavenly purciadduzzi, small fried dough balls, covered with honey, nuts and confetti.
Try tasty pesce di pasta di mandorla (almond paste fish), is a traditional dessert of Puglia and one of the important symbols in Christianity. Being one of the favorite sweets of children, the almond paste in the form of fish can be stuffed with jam of different tastes. To touch the sky with a finger, accompany sweet tasting with a good dolce.
4. Nativity scenes at the Fair of papier- mâché puppets in Lecce
As Lecce is the temple of papier-mâché art, no wonder this city annually organizes Fiera dei Pupi, the Fair of papier-mâché puppets, in its historical centre on the Christmas holidays. Here it is possible to find complete stunning presepi or any small detail for constructing a Nativity scene yourself.
5. Visit Artisan’s shops and find a unique present for your loved ones
The tradition of producing artisanal goods has been a defining component of Italy’s history. In Puglia you can still find artisan workshops in places like Laterza, Grottaglie, Polignano a Mare, Bari and Lecce. Among the handmade goods there are pottery from Grottaglie or Laterza and uniquely designed Light Objects made by Peppino Campanella in Polignano a Mare. Then there are the figurines, clay whistles, wooden statuettes or religious representations as well as carnival masks and even jewelry that is made of papier-mâché by craftsmen in Lecce or Putignano. Very special are the wooden postcards created by an artist and woodworker in Bari.
Putignano is known for its Carnival, which is made special by the papier- mâché masks and decorations made by the craftsmen called “cartapestai”. The material is created mixing water with pages torn from old newspapers and adding flour. Forms are created and painted and the results are quite stunning.
Weavers in Surano make wonderful textiles and carpets on handlooms. The ancient technique is passed from one generation to the next. Custom-made carpets are produced with a selection of beautifully hand-dyed patterns and colors. The process takes a few months, but it’s worth the wait.
The hand weaving of the Salento area is an ancient practice that puts together high mastery with the lightness of traditional themes. But when on linen, cotton and wool tradition is accompanied by creativity and the new rips the warp and the weave, then what you see becomes emotion and reflection, and craftsmanship becomes art. In places such as Alberobello or Acquarica del Capo weavers and still make hand-woven baskets that are both functional and beautiful.
Martina Franca is where you can still find craftsmen, who know how to create unique objects made from wrought iron. Stolling among Martina Franca’s narrow old town streets, you just need to take one look at the balconies to understand, how well those working with wrought iron know their craft. Swirls and scrolls decorate the balustrades and the sides of each historical building. Iron street lamps line the streets. Those are decorated with scrolls and leaves twisted on themselves. For many years Martina Franca’s workshops have made headboards, chandeliers, sconces, chandeliers, lamp posts, railings, balustrades, mirrors, tables and coffee tables of every size and shape. Thanks to the work, passion and dedication of Martina Franca’s craftsmen the modern production techniques and the art of the master blacksmiths of former times have been combined and thus made sure that the traditional craft can be passed on to generations to come.
Made in Italy handicrafts have been the base of the Italian economy for many years. In former times artisans used to produce their handmade goods for royalty and the members of noble families. Today everybody can visit them in their workshops during one of Puglia Private Tour’s Artisans of Puglia Tours and learn more about Puglia’s culture.