Villaggio Tirolese

The Villaggio Tirolese transforms Arezzo's breathtaking medieval Piazza Grande into Italy's largest Tyrolean Christmas market each holiday season, now in its tenth edition. Set against the backdrop of Renaissance palaces and Romanesque architecture, this Alpine-inspired village brings an authentic taste of the Tyrol region to the heart of Tuscany, drawing visitors from across Italy and beyond. Over 30 traditional wooden chalets, staffed by exhibitors from Tyrol, Austria, and Germany, fill the historic square with handcrafted gifts, seasonal decorations, carved ornaments, candles, and artisanal goods. Three dedicated Baite del Gusto (Taste Cabins) serve as the market's culinary heart, offering hearty Tyrolean specialties including stuffed pretzels, spatzle, canederli, polenta, Tyrolean sausage, and the celebrated roasted pork shank (stinco), all paired with the finest Tyrolean craft beers. A dedicated Chestnut Cabin and strudel stands round out the seasonal flavors. Each evening from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM, the Big Lights Show transforms the facades of Piazza Grande's historic buildings into a free, immersive projection-mapping spectacle of color, music, and light. Adjacent to the market, the Brick House exhibition inside the Palazzo della Fraternita dei Laici showcases over 40 large-scale Lego artworks, mosaics, and installations. Santa's House at the panoramic Medici Fortress offers over 10,000 square meters of family entertainment, including workshops, a planetarium, and a meet-and-greet with Santa Claus. The market runs Thursday through Sunday from mid-November, then daily from around December 18 through December 28, making a weekend visit in early December an ideal way to experience Arezzo at its most festive.