Marché Vert Noël

The Marché Vert Noël is Aosta's beloved Christmas market, now in its 17th edition, transforming the city's central Piazza Chanoux into a warmly lit alpine village set against a backdrop of Roman ruins and snow-capped peaks. The market's name is a clever play on words: while it translates literally as 'Green Christmas Market,' it sounds like the French phrase 'marcher vers Noël' — 'walking toward Christmas' — perfectly capturing the festive spirit of the season. Spanning from late November through Epiphany on January 6th, the market features 48 wooden alpine chalets where local artisans and vendors showcase the best of the Aosta Valley. Shoppers can browse handcrafted wooden objects including traditional Grolle and Coppa dell'Amicizia friendship cups, hand-woven Drap fabric from Valgrisenche, artisanal candles, antiques, and Christmas decorations. Live craft demonstrations by woodturners and blacksmiths — including Michel Favre's wrought-iron work and Sergio Ferrol's lathe artistry — bring the market to life throughout the season. Food lovers will find Fontina DOP cheese, Toma d'alpeggio, crispy Tegole almond biscuits, vin brulé, Genepy liqueur, and hot apple cider. Beyond the chalets, the festivities extend across the city center: an ice skating rink in nearby Piazza Narbonne, video-mapping projections on the Porta Praetoria, a magical animated storybook at the Arco d'Augusto, and a grand Christmas tree adorned with over 7,000 lights and 400 ornaments. For the best experience, visit on a weekday morning to browse at a relaxed pace, or arrive at dusk when the market lights create an unforgettable alpine atmosphere.