Christmas in Emilia-Romagna: 6 ideas for your holidays on the Apeninnes

If you are among those who like to spend holidays away from home and relatives, possibly in an isolated place where appreciate the magic of nature in winter and the silence of the mountains peaks…
If you are among those who love the bright starry sky, the scents of the forest, or if you’re simply a lover of winter activities…
Then this article is dedicated to you.

We selected some ideas/events dedicated to all those who would like to spend the Christmas holidays on our Apennines. A border mountainous area between Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany that still represents a wild place and that offers the most loyal landscapes and panoramas that are difficult to repeat.

Snowshoeing on Mount Cimone and Mount Corno alle Scale

There are numerous appointments for snowshoe lovers, both on Mount Cimone and on Mount Corno alle Scale, to discover the landscapes and sounds of winter in the mountains.
A unique opportunity to experience the forest, even at night, accompanied by expert local guides.

Info for snowshoeing on Mount Cimone
Info for snowshoeing on Mount Corno alle Scale

Ciaspolata in Appennino, Emilia-Romagna CC BY NC SA — Snowshoeing on Emilia-Romagna Apennines CC BY NC SA

Crossing of the Onferno Caves

As per tradition, in Gemmano (province of Rimini) it is possible to visit the Onferno Caves in winter, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to one of the largest and most diverse bat colonies in Italy.

The crossing involves a route that goes through the caves from the lower entrance to the upper one: a route that is not part of the usual “tourist route” and is exclusive to the winter period, so as not to disturb the bat nursery.

Find out more with the updates on the Facebook page.

Grotte di Onferno - Riserva Naturale via Facebook — Grotte di Onferno – Riserva Naturale via Facebook

Pennabilli Django Festival

A Manouche Jazz Music Festival in the hills of Romagna.
From 27 to 29 December 2025, in the beautiful scenery of the village of Pennabilli (province of Rimini), the Pennabilli Django Festival is back: an event dedicated to the extraordinary figure of Django Reinhardt, creator and leading exponent of the musical genre “Manouche”, also called “Gypsy Swing”.

Find out more about Pennabilli Django Festival.

Christmas in Bagno di Romagna

Once again this year, Bagno di Romagna, the famous spa town in the Romagna Apennines (province of Forlì-Cesena), has organised a calendar of Christmas events, with markets and activities designed for children, to enliven the most magical time of the year.

In addition, from 24 December to 6 January 2026, the Christmas train will return, running to San Piero in Bagno, allowing visitors to discover the nearby village.

Discover the Christmas events in Bagno di Romagna.

Bagno di Romagna Spa - Ph. Bagnodiromagnaturismo.it — Bagno di Romagna Spa – Ph. Bagnodiromagnaturismo.it

Christmas on the ski slopes

Would you like to spend Christmas skiing?

The winter resorts of the Emiliano-Romagnolo Apennines await you from 6 December (Cimone and Corno alle Scale) with their kilometres of slopes, offering winter sports enthusiasts plenty of excitement in the snow-covered mountains. Discover where to ski in Emilia-Romagna.

Sciare in Appennino, Emilia-Romagna CC BY NC SA — Skiing in the Emilia-Romagna Apennines CC BY NC SA

New Year's Eve Snowshoe Walk on Monte Falco

The traditional Midnight Snowshoe Walk returns to the Casentino Forest Park this year to welcome in the new year with snowshoes on the highest peak in the park: Monte Falco!

The itinerary includes an excursion along the Burraia ridge, which divides Tuscany from Romagna. Once on the ridge, we will toast the New Year with sparkling wine and panettone, while enjoying the spectacle of nature on one of the most magical nights of the year.

Find out more about the New Year’s Eve snowshoe hike on Monte Falco.