Bologna lights up for the 2025–2026 Festive Season

The magic of Christmas 2025 lights up Bologna

With the arrival of the holidays, Bologna is ready to transform into a large Christmas setting, where lights, sounds and scents fill every corner of the city. Between light installations, sparkling trees and initiatives for all ages, the historic city centre glows with wonder and warmth.

The city lights up from the centre to the outskirts

Festive lights switch on in University Area

The university area of Bologna, in the streets between Piazzetta Achille Ardigò and via Zamboni, is dressed in the luminous magic of Christmas starting with the past opening ceremony on Saturday 29 November 2025.

The initiative, which will be enriched by the setting up of the Traditional Crib of Bologna in one of the chapels of the Basilica of San Giacomo Maggiore in Bologna, is promoted by Confesercenti Bologna in cooperation with the Operators Committee of via Zamboni and Dintorni and realised by Ce.S.Conf.2 with the support of the Bologna Chamber of Commerce.

Artist Lights on Via Indipendenza

The italian famous singer Luca Carboni and the Mayor of Bologna turned on the artist lights on Via Indipendenza, ahead of the official reopening on 23 December 2025, on Saturday 6 December at 6:30pm in Piazza del Nettuno.

The main artery of the historic centre will reopen after the closure due to the construction of the new tram line. For the occasion, the lyrics of the song “Bologna è una regola” by Luca Carboni will shine above the heads of residents and visitors along the entire route until March 2026.

Creative and social lights in Via d'Azeglio

From Monday 8 December until March 2026, the central Via d'Azeglio lit up with the light project entitled "KIDS IMAGINE LIGHT - Via d'Azeglio draws peace".

It is an installation dedicated to peace that re-proposes the famous song Imagine by John Lennon, enriched with luminous drawings made by children.

The project is organised by the Consortium of Via d'Azeglio pedestrians.

Lighting in Piazza Cavour – Lucio Dalla Statue

Saturday 13 December 2025 at 5:30pm marked the inauguration of the new lighting of the Lucio Dalla Statue in Piazza Cavour. On the feast day of Saint Lucy, accompanied by the singer-songwriter’s music, the “Night of Light” project will be unveiled to illuminate the sculpture donated to the city by Lino Zaccanti in 2021.

The Asinelli Tower shines with magic

An undisputed symbol of Bologna, the Asinelli Tower lights up once again this year thanks to “Lights and colours for the Asinelli Tower”, curated by Confcommercio Ascom Bologna. The Christmas lights, switched on from 29 November 2025, will offer residents and visitors a unique spectacle combining tradition and wonder.