Breathtaking views, foliage, castles, enchanting villages, colorful vineyards and above all… the magic of Christmas.
The Piedmont territory of Langhe, Roero and Monferrato will be the setting from November 16 to December 22, 2024 for the widespread event “Magical Christmas Country.” This will be a special edition, as the event reaches its 18th year, confirming the extraordinary growth that has led it to be listed by European Best Destinations as the seventh most important Christmas market in Europe and awarded the mention of “most romantic little market.”
Protagonists of the typical Christmas atmosphere will be the charming village of Govone, where Santa Claus has his residence in the Royal Castle, Asti with its famous Christmas market, and San Damiano d’Asti , which will host the Living Nativity Scene on some dates in December. A corner of Piedmont with a great culture and food and wine tradition, whose landscape has been elected a World Heritage Site, where for 6 weekends it will be possible to experience the most authentic spirit of Christmas. Tickets to participate in the event’s animations will be available for purchase at www.magicopaesedinatale.com from mid-September.
IT STARTS AT THE SAME TIME IN ASTI AND GOVONE THE WEEKEND OF NOVEMBER 16-17
The Magical Christmas Country will kick off the weekend of Nov. 16-17, both in Govone and Asti. It will be preceded on Friday, Nov. 15 from 2 p.m. by a special opening of the Asti market, which will be followed at 5 p.m. by the opening performance at the Alfieri Theater. During the opening, the young singer Asia Antonietti (aka Asia) will perform, who, just like the Magical Christmas Country, is turning 18 this year and will perform an unreleased song written especially for the occasion.
The following day, Saturday, Nov. 16, the event will be officially opened in Govone with a show open to the public in the late afternoon in front of the Royal Castle, culminating with the lighting of the illuminations.
INITIATIVES IN THE ROMANTIC VILLAGE OF GOVONE: WHERE SANTA CLAUS HAS HIS HOME
At the top of one of the many hills of the Roero is the small but charming village of Govone, with its Unesco Heritage castle, vineyards, fields and the impression of being transported far away in time and space.
Here starting Saturday, Nov. 16, the picturesque village opens the doors of Santa’s House, set up inside the charming Royal Castle where musicals and entertainment will recreate a fairy-tale atmosphere. This year the itinerary of Santa’s House in Govone gets a makeover. The magic will already start from the outside! An exceptional storyteller will welcome the audience outside the walls of the house, introducing them to an enchanted world. A path full of surprises that will lead directly into the heart of the festival, discovering a Christmas village, where every corner is a surprise. Here Christmas music and hardworking elves will anticipate the excitement of meeting Santa Claus himself. An opportunity for a unique and unforgettable experience of music, theater and lots of magic. And at the end of the show the chance to meet Santa Claus and hand him your little letter!
Santa’s house is a place where dreams come to life, where love, joy and imagination reign supreme-a place that will always remain etched in their hearts, even as children grow up and become adults.
This is precisely the spirit that animates all the places of the Magical Christmas Country. It is also from this very concept that The Castle of the Magical Christmas Country and the exhibition-cum-hike celebrating 18 years of the event is developed.
AN EXHIBITION INSIDE THE ROYAL CASTLE OF GOVONE TO CELEBRATE 18 YEARS OF THE “MAGICAL VILLAGE OF CHRISTMAS”
The Royal Castle of Govone will also have a new look this year. It comes to life, in fact, the Castle of the Magic Christmas Country. Inside this enchanting place, a UNESCO heritage site, a pathway will be set up on the main floor where in each room, there will be a reminder of the history of the Magical Christmas Country event, retracing its 18 years of activity with a focus on the theme of the spirit of Christmas in the broadest sense. The halls of the Castle will be embellished with decorations, lights and colors that most warm the hearts and create the festive atmosphere that invites to rediscover the magic of childhood, to share special moments with loved ones.
THE ENCHANTING EXTERIORS OF THE MAGICAL LAND OF CHRISTMAS
To make everything more elegant, atmospheric and magical, great importance and care will also be given this year to the outdoor setting of the Magical Christmas Country.
In Govone, the Royal Castle and the historic center will be transformed into a magical place. The heart will be the Italian garden, which will become a real “Enchanted Garden,” where lights and decorations will create a fairy-tale atmosphere.
The enchantment will continue all along the path leading to the Royal Castle. Visitors following the evocative trail of illuminated gift parcels and 3D reindeer will arrive in front of the manor. Everything will give the idea of magic and…romance! Scenic viewpoints overlooking the beautiful surrounding hills will be dedicated to this theme, selfie points that will offer visitors the opportunity to capture unforgettable memories, immortalizing themselves immersed in the magic of Christmas, with a breathtaking backdrop.
Asti, too, will not lack the enchantment of lights: visitors to the Christmas market will be greeted at the main entrance in Piazza Alfieri by a majestic 17-meter-long glowing comet star; this will be joined by additional illuminations to make the experience even more unique and unforgettable.
THE SCHOOL AND THE ELF MARKET: THE ELVES PROTAGONISTS OF CHRISTMAS
The show-workshop aimed at all age groups will be offered again this year, in which both children and adults will be actively involved by Santa’s elves to become his helpers, with a final certificate issued by TatElfa to all those who pass the tests.
The Christmas magic will get even more intense in Govone with the “Elf Market”! About 20 small houses, carefully selected artisans and producers who will become the village elves, creating an evocative and innovative way of dealing with the theme of Christmas markets. Of course, the whole thing will be contextualized to the size of the small village of Govone, for the big market in the magical Christmas Village we will have to move to nearby Asti.
BETWEEN FOOD AND WINE AND HANDICRAFTS: ASTI’S CHRISTMAS MARKET KICKS OFF
The Asti Christmas market kicks off on November 16 : the only one in Italy to enter the “Top Ten” list of Europe’s best Christmas markets, earning seventh position in 2024.
In the heart of the city, Alfieri Square is transformed to host the event’s signature 130 wooden cottages. Highlight how the unique triangular shape of the square evokes a stylized Christmas tree, creating a unique setting.
The wooden cottages will host artisans and producers from all over Italy, with their handicrafts perfect for a special gift, delicious products to taste and street food for a mouth-watering break, and everything will be enhanced by decorations and animations that will help create a unique Christmas atmosphere.
THE LIVING NATIVITY SCENE IN SAN DAMIANO D’ASTI: WHERE TO FIND THE MOST AUTHENTIC SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS
On December 1, 8 and 15, San Damiano d’Asti will host the Living Nativity, now in its 15th year.
In the town’s evocative historic cellars, courtyards, cobblestone alleys and basements a procession of wayfarers will accompany visitors to discover the re-enactment of the nativity with scenes of ancient crafts and traditional characters. Starring Wise Men, carpenters and merchants who will recreate a Nativity scene in living form and accompany visitors of all ages through the historic streets of the village, where one can rediscover the trades and customs of yesteryear by making a few stops among inns and pleasant eating places.
MAGICAL COUNTRY OF CHRISTMAS 2024 PROGRAM
GOVONE – ASTI – SAN DAMIANO D’ASTI
November 16-December 22, 2024
OPENING ASTI (SANTA CLAUS HOUSE AND OTHER EVENTS)
- Friday, November 15, 2-8 p.m. (special opening)
- Saturday, November 16 and Sunday, November 17 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Saturday, November 23 and Sunday, November 24 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Saturday, November 30 Sunday, December 1 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Thursday, December 5 to Sunday, December 8 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Thursday, December 12 to Sunday, December 15 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Thursday, December 19 to Sunday, December 22 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
GOVONE OPENING (SANTA CLAUS HOUSE AND OTHER EVENTS)
- Saturday, November 16 and Sunday, November 17 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Saturday, November 23 Sunday, November 24 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Saturday, Nov. 30 and Sunday, Dec. 1 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Saturday, December 7 Sunday, December 8 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Saturday, December 14 and Sunday, December 15 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Saturday, December 21 and Sunday, December 22 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
