Grado at Christmas time is very popular with those who want to experience the festivities in a unique atmosphere! The 'Island of the Sun' itself is already wonderful: it has a large pedestrian area and an old town centre with lots of shops, bars and a characteristic Y harbour. During the Christmas period, however, the small fishing village is transformed into the Island of Christmas, thanks to the lights, atmosphere and numerous events that the municipality organises every year.
The most eagerly awaited initiative is certainly the Exhibition of Cribs, which has become a tradition shared with Aquileia and Terzo di Aquileia. More than 150 interpretations of the Nativity, from December to January, can be seen among the calli and campielli of the island's historic centre and along the streets of Fossalon and Boscat. There are also many events, music and entertainment with various shows organised by the municipal administration, the Grado Tourism Consortium and the many local associations, all with a Christmas theme.
Lastly, there is a very characteristic event at the Mandracchio harbour: every year, on 5th January, the terrifying Varvuole (i.e. sea witches) arrive at the harbour to ward off negativity and contribute, with their strength and energy, to getting the New Year off to a positive start.
Find out HERE which businesses are open in Grado during this period (accommodation facilities, bars, restaurants, shops and services).
CHRISTMAS PROGRAMME 2025:
Ongoing activities
From 7th December 2025 to 1st February 2026
Nativity Scene Exhibition – Palazzo dei Congressi
From 19th December 2025 to 6th January 2026
Winter Season at Bar Numero Uno on GIT beach. From 27th to 29th December 2025, there will be a hot air balloon that you can climb into and take a tethered flight over the beach for €10.00. In case of bad weather, the dates will be postponed to 4th, 5th and 6th January 2026. Find out more HERE.
From 20th December 2025 to 6th January 2026
Christmas Markets and Luna Park – Largo San Grisogono, Giardini Oransz, Viale Regina Elena
Saturday 6th December 2025
10:00 a.m. – “Falco Marin” Civic Library
Christmas workshops: creative workshop for children aged 7 to 10. Info and reservations +39 0431 82630, biblioteca@comunegrado.it.
11:00 a.m. – Campo Patriarca Elia
Christmas inflatables.
3:00–6:00 p.m. – Campo Patriarca Elia
Saint Nicholas arrives by carriage. Entertainment with distribution of sweets and candies to children.
4:00 p.m. – Palazzo dei Congressi
Opening ceremony of the ‘Nativity Scenes’ 2025-26 exhibition
Sunday 7th December 2025
11:00 a.m. – Campo Patriarca Elia
Christmas inflatables.
Monday 8th December 2025
11:00 a.m. – Campo Patriarca Elia
Christmas inflatables.
From 3:00 p.m. – Campo Patriarca Elia
Waiting for the lighting: entertainment with Santa's elves, ponies, llamas and alpacas. Free sweets and hot drinks offered by the Municipality of Grado.
5:00 p.m. – Campo Patriarca Elia
Lighting of the Christmas tree
Friday 12th December 2025
4:00 p.m. – “Falco Marin” Civic Library
Christmas readings: readings aloud for children aged 0-6. Info and reservations +39 0431 82630, biblioteca@comunegrado.it.
5:30 p.m. – Parco delle Rose
DANCING FOUNTAINS show: water, light, fire, laser and projections.
Saturday 13th December 2025
10:00 a.m. – “Falco Marin” Civic Library
Christmas workshops: creative workshop for children aged 7 to 10. Info and reservations +39 0431 82630, biblioteca@comunegrado.it.
9:00 p.m. – Palazzo dei Congressi
ALL THAT MUSICAL: a medley show that will bring back the emotions of historic and famous musicals.
Sunday, 14th December 2025
4:00 p.m. - Basilica of Santa Eufemia
Concert of sacred music, organised byLuisa Sello.
Thursday, 18 December 2025
8:45 p.m. - Auditorium Biagio Marin
Salam/Shalom. Two fathers. Show from the 25/26 theatre season with Massimo Somaglino and Alessandro Lussiana. More info HERE.
Friday, 19th December 2025
4:00 p.m. – Campo Patriarca Elia
Abracadabra: comedy magic show for children and adults. The event will last 50 minutes.
4:00 p.m. – “Falco Marin” Civic Library
Christmas Readings: readings aloud for children aged 0-6. Info and reservations +39 0431 82630, biblioteca@comunegrado.it. Greetings to all those present will follow.
4:00 p.m. – Bar Numero Uno beach GIT
Opening of the Christmas Village, with a toast.
5:00 p.m. – Campo Patriarca Elia
Incanto d'Oriente: an oriental princess will enchant everyone with illusions, soap bubbles, spells and dreams. The event will last 25 minutes.
6:00 p.m. – Campo Patriarca Elia
Repetition of Enchantment of the East
Saturday 20th December 2025
10:00 a.m. – “Falco Marin” Civic Library
Tribù delle parole: reading group for young readers. Info and reservations +39 0431 82630, biblioteca@comunegrado.it.
10:00 a.m. – Campo Patriarca Elia
Mille Bolle: giant soap bubble workshop; suitable for all ages. 2 sets of 60 minutes. Maximum 50 participants.
From 3:00 p.m. – Bar Numero Uno, GIT beach
Arrival of Santa Claus, games and entertainment for children with candy floss and popcorn.
6:00 p.m. – Palazzo dei Congressi
Visioni d’incanto: puppet theatre with shadows, sand art and magic; suitable for all ages. The event will last 55 minutes.
8:45 p.m. – Biagio Marin Auditorium
In the name of love: concert by the 500 Pounds and Soul Circus Gospel Choir.
Sunday 21st December 2025
4:00 p.m. – Palazzo dei Congressi
Cinewave – Cartoon “The Wild Robot" (in italian). Organised by Consorzio Grado Turismo. Free admission
Tuesday 23rd December 2025
5:00 p.m. – Departure from Piazza Biagio Marin
Discovering Grado ‘Christmas Edition’: free guided tours of the nativity scenes in the historic centre, accompanied by bagpipers.
Wednesday 24th December 2025
5:00 p.m. – Porto Mandracchio
Santa Claus arrives in a Batela (traditional Grado boat).
Friday 26th December 2025
From 8:30 a.m. – Departure from Piazza Biagio Marin
Panettone March (official departure at 10 a.m.)
From 11:00 a.m. – Bar Numero Uno, GIT beach
Live performance by the duo THE PELLIZZARIS.
4:00 p.m. – Basilica of Santa Eufemia
Holy music concert organised by the Ass. Corale Città di Grado.
6:00 p.m. – Departure from Piazza Biagio Marin
Carillon: a grand piano wanders through the streets of the city, guided by an 18th-century pianist; an ethereal ballerina performs graceful movements on it, in time with the music.
Saturday 27th December 2025
From 11:00 a.m. – Bar Numero Uno, GIT beach
Dj set with "Z aperitif"; in case of bad weather conditions, it will be postponed to 28/12
7:00 p.m. – Piazza Biagio Marin
Concert by Penelope e i Diabolici Toupè: soul & funk music.
Sunday 28th December 2025
4:00 p.m. – Basilica of Santa Eufemia
Concert by the Luvenese Harmoniae youth choir. Event organised by the Parish of Grado.
6:00 p.m. – Piazza Biagio Marin
Concert by the choir “The Colours of Gospel”.
Monday 29th December 2025
4:30 p.m. – Departure from Piazza Biagio Marin
Discovering Grado “Christmas Edition”: free guided tours of the nativity scenes in the historic centre, accompanied by bagpipers.
6:30 p.m. – Departure from Piazza Biagio Marin
Christmas Notes: travelling Christmas concert-show. The event will last 90 minutes.
Tuesday, 30th December 2025
From 11:00 a.m. – Bar Numero Uno, GIT beach
DJ set with Paolino Dida
3:30 p.m. – Piazza XXVI Maggio
Giant Piano: musical walks.
4:00 p.m. – “Falco Marin” Civic Library
Bingo with a bang! Info and reservations +39 0431 82630, biblioteca@comunegrado.it.
Wednesday, 31st December 2025
10:00 p.m. – Piazza Biagio Marin
New Year's Eve with Radio Gioconda and Dancemania Live Band. Lots of music, fun and entertainment.
Thursday, 1st January 2026
From 11:00 a.m. – Bar Numero Uno, GIT beach
Free tarot readings, prize lottery and New Year's Day toast.
5:30 p.m. – Palazzo dei Congressi
New Year's Concert. Free admission, subject to availability.
Friday 2nd January 2026
From 3:00 p.m. – Bar Numero Uno, GIT beach
Puppet theatre, children's entertainment with candy floss and popcorn.
5:00 p.m. – Palazzo dei Congressi
Show “The Ballerina and the Tin Soldier”: a musical retelling of the classic fairy tale by H.C. Andersen. Recommended age 4-19 years.
Saturday 3rd January 2026
From 11:00 a.m. – Bar Numero Uno, GIT beach
DJ set with Julio Montana.
6:00 p.m. – Piazza Biagio Marin
Show by comedian Gianluca Impastato.
Sunday, 4th January 2026
From 3:00 p.m. – Bar Numero Uno, GIT beach
Magic show for children, balloons and light-up dragon.
4:00 p.m. – Basilica of Santa Eufemia
Concert by the ‘Overtwelve’ choir of Monfalcone. Event organised by the Parish of Grado.
6:00 p.m. – Porto Mandracchio
Pyromusical show: fireworks set to music.
7:00 p.m. – Piazza Biagio Marin
Live concert by ‘Corte di Lunas’: folk and Celtic music.
Monday, 5th January 2026
4:00 p.m. – Basilica of Santa Eufemia
Blessing of the children.
5:45 p.m. – Porto Mandracchio / Piazza Biagio Marin
The Varvuole, the witches of the sea, are coming! Historical re-enactment
Tuesday 6th January 2026
From 3:00 p.m. – Bar Numero Uno, GIT beach
Treasure hunt, baby dance and balloon modelling for children.
5:00 p.m. – Departure from Piazza Biagio Marin
Discovering Grado ‘Christmas Edition’: free guided tours of the nativity scenes in the historic centre, accompanied by bagpipers.
Unless otherwise indicated, all events are free of charge, subject to availability. The programme is subject to change. For the latest updates, follow the social media channels of the Municipality of Grado and the Grado Tourism Consortium.