The magic of Nativity scenes in Bologna

In Bologna city

Starting from the historic centre, the “Magia di Natale” Nativity Scene by Elisabetta Bertozzi and Luigi Enzo Mattei returns, as every year, in the Courtyard of Honour of Palazzo d'Accursio, with an opening ceremony on 2 December at 6:30 pm. 

Every year at the Basilica of San Petronio there will be a special Nativity Scene projects.

[crib under construction - back for updates]

Continue to the Basilica of Santo Stefano where the Adoration of the Magi, the oldest Nativity Scene in the world and the largest in Italy, is preserved, and then on to the Adoration of the Magi and the Shepherds in the Church of San Procolo.

Reach the Basilica of San Francesco, in the rear cloister, where each year a large motorised Nativity Scene welcomes visitors in an evocative and interactive atmosphere.

[crib under construction - back for updates]

In the monumental portico of the Church of San Giovanni in Monte, you can visit the XXXI Nativity Scene Exhibition which, as per tradition, is set up in Via Santo Stefano 27 from 6 December 2025 to 6 January 2026 every day from 10 am to 1 pm and from 3 pm to 7 pm, with continuous opening 10 am–7 pm on Saturdays and public holidays. 

In Strada Maggiore, at the Davia Bargellini Museum,visitors can admire works from the impressive collection of Edgardo Forlai, an architect originally from Bologna but who had long since adopted Romagna as his home. The exhibition Presepi dalla collezione Forlai (Nativity scenes from the Forlai collection), is open from 6 December 2025 to 11 January 2026, with free admission.

Visiting dates and times:

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 10 am–3 pm
Friday 2 pm–6 pm
Saturday, Sunday and holidays 10 am–6:30 pm
closed on Mondays.

In the Basilica of San Domenico, you can admire the Nativity Scenes by Bartolomeo Cesi in the Main Chapel, and another by Alfonso Lombardi. The monochrome terracotta Nativity of the Mystical Maternity by Thea Farinelli (on display all year, 8:30 am–12 pm and 3 pm–7 pm) is exhibited in the Corpus Domini Sanctuary Church. 

On Via Zamboni, from 25 November 2025 to 2 February 2026, the Traditional Nativity Scene of Bologna by Nicola Baravelli is on display inside the Church of San Giacomo Maggiore. The exhibition follows the church opening hours: 9:30 am–12:30 pm and 3 pm–6 pm, and is promoted by Confesercenti Bologna and the Via Zamboni Merchants Committee.

At the same time, a beautiful wooden Nativity Scene is set up in the Church of Santa Maria della Pioggia, where several works by Ludovico Carracci are also preserved. 

From 11 December to 11 January 2026, Casa Saraceni opens its doors to the exhibition Statuette. Presepi storici della tradizione bolognese (Statuettes. Historical nativity scenes from the Bolognese tradition). This is a collection of nativity scene statuettes from the 18th and 19th centuries, acquired by the Foundation in 2007 on the antiques market, thus preventing their dismantling and dispersion.

In the Massarenti area, a special yearly event returns: the Nativity Scene at Via Azzurra 10. Set up in the courtyard of a private home and visible only from the outside, the large Nativity Scene is illuminated from 1 December to 6 January 2026 from 5:30 pm (dusk) to 11 pm, when the comet star lights up, accompanied by sounds and motorised elements. 

And in the Murri district, don’t miss the Nativity Scene at Via Parisio 50, the work of a passionate local resident who opens her private courtyard to welcome visitors among water features, figurines, model trains and Christmas trees every day, from 29 November until early February 2026 from 11 am to 1 pm and 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm.

➝ Admission by voluntary donation (to contribute to electricity costs) 

New this year: the large Nativity Scene evolves following the transformation of the city. There is the new tram in construction)

Outside Bologna 

In the Bolognese lowlands

In Baricella, Mr Mirko Grimandi’s passion has taken shape in a fascinating 8x3 m Nativity Scene that invites peace, reflection and the rediscovery of old traditions, with several references to the Bolognese countryside. It can be visited at the Oratory of the Blessed Virgin Mary Assunta in Corniolo, in San Gabriele di Baricella, from 8 December 2025 to 1 January 2026 from 6 am to 10 pm. 

In San Giovanni in Persiceto, from Monday 8 December to Tuesday 6 January, the Church of the Beata Vergine della Cintura, in Piazza Garibaldi 5, will host the exhibition "Presepe: il Natale nel Cuore di Persiceto" (Nativity Scene: Christmas in the Heart of Persiceto) with various nativities from private collections, including a nativity scene made entirely in crochet.

And again in San Matteo della Decima, from 8 December to 6 January, the Civic Centre in Decima will host an exhibition of nativity scenes curated by Ombretta Scagliarini.

➝ All the details on the official Bolognese Plains website

In Imola and surroundings

In Castel San Pietro Terme, preparations for the Christmas festivities are complete, including the Nativity Scene by Cleto Tomba in the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore and the large mechanical Nativity Scene in the Church of the Annunziata.

Castèlanadèl, via turismoimolese.cittametropolitana.bo.it

➝ All detailed information on the Area Imolese official website