Il Magico Paese di Natale — Mercatini di Natale di Asti

Why it's special

The Magico Paese di Natale is a Christmas programme shared by three places in the Asti area, and 2026 is its 20th year. Asti has the market: since 2023 all the chalets have stood together in Piazza Alfieri, the triangular square at the heart of the city, with artisans and food producers from across Italy. It's the only Italian market to have made the top ten of the European Best Destinations ranking of Christmas markets.

Programme · 2026

20 years of the Magico Paese di Natale, across Asti, Govone and San Damiano d'Asti. Free entry, no ticket or booking.

• Entry is free, with no ticket or booking.
• The market is open 10:00–20:00 on its opening days and closed on the weekdays in between, so check the calendar before you go.
• Weekends are the busiest.
• On Saturdays and Sundays a free shuttle runs from the free car park in Piazza Cosma Manera to Piazza Alfieri, and campers can park at Piazza Cosma Manera too (no facilities, about 20 minutes' walk).

The Magico Paese di Natale (the "magic Christmas village") is a Christmas programme shared by three places near Asti, and 2026 is its 20th year. Govone has the royal castle with Santa's house and its own market. San Damiano d'Asti has a living nativity, with a procession of travellers leading visitors through the village's old cellars. Asti has the market.

Since 2023 the Asti market has been gathered in one place, Piazza Alfieri, the big arcaded triangle at the centre of the city. Around 130 wooden chalets sell crafts, local food and street food, with stallholders from all over Italy. It opens on weekends from mid-November and on most days in December, from 10:00 to 20:00, and it's free to walk round.

On the weekend days a shuttle runs from the free car park in Piazza Cosma Manera. While you're in the centre, Palazzo Mazzetti and the Collegiata di San Secondo are a short walk away. See what else is on in Asti.