Christmas lights in Calabria: where to see the most beautiful ones

Are you looking for the spirit of Christmas? You will find it in Calabria, in the magical atmosphere that fills the air when the streets are lit up with colourful lights announcing the most wonderful holiday of the year.

Set in the streets and squares of villages or along the avenues and streets of cities, here is where to see the most beautiful Christmas lights in Calabria.

If you think Tropea is only beautiful in summer, prepare to change your mind. The pearl of the Tyrrhenian Sea is a destination with unique characteristics all year round, and at Christmas its historic centre, overlooking one of the most beautiful stretches of the Costa degli Dei, becomes even more evocative. From December to January, Tropea is decked out in Christmas colours and magic explodes. The lights are switched on in the historic centre, but that's not all, because the lights will also highlight the profile of the Rock of Santa Maria dell'Isola. Forty-three areas will be decorated with lights, including the coastline and outlying areas, and the main squares and streets are ready to be filled with the colours of Christmas. The enchanted village will have fairy-tale themed light decorations, a giant hot air balloon will be installed in Largo San Michele, and a large nativity scene with the Three Wise Men and the comet will be set up in Piazza Duomo. The most Instagrammable selfie? Get ready to take it in front of the giant letters spelling out Tropea in Largo Migliarese.

Christmas in Nicotera, a delightful village in the province of Vibo Valentia, is truly magical, something to be discovered and experienced at any age. It is like immersing yourself in an enchanted atmosphere, like that of fairy tales or Christmas films. If you want to discover it, just enter the "Mistletoe Street", a tunnel that crosses Corso Medameo until it reaches Piazza Garibaldi, wrapped in coloured lights, mistletoe, baubles of all sizes and bells. A stroll through the centre offers the opportunity to visit the Museum of Rural Life, the Cathedral, Vico degli Ombrelli, the staircase in memory of singer-songwriter Rino Gaetano, the historic district of Giudecca, and the panoramic balcony behind Ruffo Castle. At this time of year, Nicotera dresses up for the festivities and offers visitors a unique experience, with lights, sounds and scents, naturally typical traditional sweets. From mid-December to January, it becomes a town with a unique atmosphere, where you can rediscover the spirit of Christmas in the authentic hospitality and timeless charm of the alleys filled with lights and decorations. A kiss immortalised in the street of mistletoe or sitting on the bench of love will undoubtedly be the most romantic postcard of your Christmas.

It is always the right time to visit Pizzo and discover the unique features of this beautiful town in the province of Vibo Valentia, overlooking the Costa degli Dei and also known for its delicious tartufo ice-cream. During the Christmas period, Pizzo becomes even more beautiful, embellished with lights and decorations. The magical atmosphere of Christmas invades the town centre, illuminating the facades of ancient buildings with video mapping projections, while lights frame the streets. Markets, shows and other initiatives organised by the municipality contribute to creating a festive and joyful atmosphere, with Piazza della Repubblica filled with sounds and colours. The best tartufo ice-cream? The one you can enjoy sitting at a table in a bar, surrounded by twinkling lights and traditional Christmas music.

This year, don't miss the enchanting spectacle of Reggio Calabria's festively decorated seafront. On the shores of the Strait, an impressive light show will make the view even more evocative, and the Christmas spirit will flood the city from one end to the other. Installations, decorations and cultural initiatives will make Christmas in Reggio Calabria particularly lively, and from the first week of December, the streets will be embellished with characteristic lights that will create a magical atmosphere, from the Italo Falcomatà seafront to the streets of Del Torrione, Aschenez, Tripepi, San Francesco da Paola, Tommaso Campanella, Miraglia, Fata Morgana, Gulli and Viale Amendola. Christmas will bring festive cheer to the Cilea Municipal Theatre, the Aragonese Castle and Via del Tempietto. Lights, music and shows will also be held in the squares, from Piazza Italia to Piazza Castello, from Piazza De Nava to Piazza Zerbi. All that remains is to let yourself be captivated by this magical atmosphere.