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

Night excursion to the Dardagna Waterfall

Thursday December 28th 2023 from 4.30 pm to 8.00 pm a night excursion to the Dardagna Waterfalls.

A walk through beech and fir woods to reach the waterfalls, one of the most valuable naturalistic pearls of our Apennines, enveloped by the charm of the dark and illuminated by the glow of the starry sky.

Info for Night at the Dardagna Waterfalls

Cascate del Dardagna in inverno Ph. @jenjo_jnj via Instagram — Dardagna waterfalls in winter Ph. @jenjo_jnj

Crossing of the Onferno Caves with a visit to the Nativity scene in the Grotto

As per tradition, the visit to the Onferno Caves – UNESCO heritage site – returns on Tuesday December 26th, and Sunday December 31st in Gemmano (province of Rimini).
The visit includes a route that passes through the caves from the lower entrance to the upper one: a route that is not part of the usual “tourist path”, and that can be done exclusively during the winter period, so as not to disturb the bat nursery.

Info for the Crossing on December 26th, 2023
Info for the Crossing on December 31st, 2023

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 2023, 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”.

Info for Pennabilli Django Festival

Christmas in Bagno di Romagna

Also this year, Bagno di Romagna, a famous spa town in the Romagna Apennines (province of Forlì-Cesena) has organized a calendar of Christmas initiatives, with markets and activities to liven up the most magical time of the year.
In addition, from 25 December to 8 January, the Christmas train returns to San Piero in Bagno, allowing visitors to discover the neighbouring village as well.

Info for 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

Do you want to spend Christmas on skis? The 15 winter resorts of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines await you from December 8th with their 300 kilometers of slopes, to give winter sports enthusiasts many new emotions in the snow-capped mountains. You just have to choose where to go!

Info on Where to ski in Emilia-Romagna