Christmas holidays with children in Calabria

During the Christmas holidays, we all become children again, indulging the little ones with the secret desire to experience the magic of Christmas together with them.    

Looking for a fun idea to share Christmas in Calabria with the family? Want to give your children a fun experience during the Christmas holidays in Calabria?

Here are some tips for organising your "child-proof" Christmas in Calabria!

Christmas in Calabria with kids, what to do

One of the Christmas activities for children that cannot be missed is meeting Santa Claus.

You don't have to book a trip to Lapland to deliver your children's requests to the old man, just take a tour of the many Christmas Villages in Calabria where, in addition to delivering the classic letter, the little ones can also ask for a photo with Santa Claus. Where can you find them?

It starts in the south, with Santa Claus' Village in Reggio Calabria (from 10 December, edition 2023), a space set up with a special post office, elf workshop, themed games and typical sweets.

Still in the province of Reggio Calabria, we pass through "The Enchanted Village of Gerace", which is also among The Most Beautiful Villages in Italy, where, on the occasion of Christmas, families with children can attend a kermesse of street artists' shows, with light games and music (28 and 29 December, edition 2023).

Children in the province of Vibo Valentia find their Christmas Village in Polistena (15 and 17 December, edition 2023), with Santa Claus waiting for them in Largo San Francesco da Paola for a photo and a candied apple.

In the Catanzaro province, Santa Claus awaits his little followers at the historical residence of Palazzo Mazza, in Borgia, where the sumptuous reception will last for the entire festive period (3 December/5 January, edition 2023).

Other Christmas Villages in Calabria are in Taverna di Montalto Uffugo and Piano Lago (CS); Cinquefrondi and Siderno (RC), Soverato (CZ), Tropea (VV).

Fancy ice skating? You'll be spoilt for choice!

Christmas with children in Calabria also passes through the numerous ice rinks and skating rinks specially set up from north to south, i.e. from snow-capped peaks to "ice on the beach".

Not to be missed, for example, is the appointment in Locri (RC), in Piazza dei Martiri, where every year "Locri on Ice", the super skating rink with all kinds of fun for young and old, is set up.

Christmas in Calabria with kids, what to see

Would you like to take the children to see something unique during Christmas in Calabria?

An evocative idea could be a visit to the numerous living cribs that are staged every year in the historic centres of towns and small medieval villages.

The most famous is the Living Crib of Panettieri, in the province of Cosenza, animated by dozens of figures and authentic artisans at work.

Another unmissable Christmas event in Calabria for young and old is the Illuminations of Tropea, on the Costa degli Dei in the province of Vibo Valentia.

The "Pearl of the Tyrrhenian Sea", among The Most Beautiful Villages in Italy, launches its "challenge" in strokes of light to the most famous resorts, offering an unmissable atmosphere in the streets of the centre (26 November/6 January, edition 2023): handcrafted illuminations, true works of art, set up in a "Christmas Trekking" itinerary that gives children and adults the magic of an enchanted night.