Bologna lights up for the 2025–2026 Festive Season

Updated on 25 November 2025 From Bologna Welcome

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.

Dates for the city’s light switch-on and the start of the 2025–2026 Festive Season events

City Christmas lights

Events and markets to discover

The Christmas Tree in Piazza del Nettuno

The Asinelli Tower Shines with Magic

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, will be dressed in the luminous magic of Christmas starting with the opening ceremony on Saturday 29 November 2025 at 5.30 p.m.

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.

Creative and social lights in Via d'Azeglio

From Monday 8 December until March 2026, the central Via d'Azeglio will be 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.

Artistic lights in Via Indipendenza

Starting from 20 December 2025, the main artery of the historic centre, Via Indipendenza, will reopen after the closure due to the new tram works. For the occasion, the lyrics of the song “Bologna è una regola” by Luca Carboni will shine above the heads of citizens and visitors along the entire street.

The Christmas tree in Piazza del Nettuno

At dawn, the great 2025 Christmas tree arrived in Piazza Nettuno: a majestic silver fir about 20 metres tall. The official lighting is scheduled for Saturday, 29 November at 5pm, in the presence of Mayor Matteo Lepore, the Mayor of Lizzano in Belvedere Barbara Franchi and the Mayor of Grizzana Morandi Franco Rubini. The ceremony will be accompanied by the Monte Pizzo Choir.

This year, the tree comes from Grizzana Morandi, due to the impossibility of carrying out the traditional transport from the Municipality of Lizzano in Belvedere.

From 6pm, celebrations will continue in Via Riva Reno, in the area behind the Church of Santa Maria della Visitazione, where a new pedestrian square overlooking the Reno Canal will be inaugurated. It forms part of the tram works that have returned to the city a stretch of the reopened canal.

➝ See the full programme of events on the Municipality’s website

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.

A Christmas to experience: events, markets and activities

From mid-November to early January, Bologna offers a rich calendar of markets, cultural events, shows, tastings and family-friendly activities. An invitation to discover the city in a unique atmosphere, blending tradition, creativity and conviviality.

Experience the magic of Christmas 2025 in Bologna: let yourself be captivated by its light, warmth and the many special moments that make this time of year truly unforgettable.

Edited by

Bologna Welcome

Editorial staff of Bologna Welcome Foundation

It promotes and enhances places, experiences and events across the Bologna Metropolitan Area and the Bologna–Modena Tourist Territory, and manages the content of website bolognawelcome.com.