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Experiencing the Magic of Christmas in Brixen

By Kate & Vin 24 Comments

Brixen Christmas Market in South Tyrol / Sudtirol

iconWhen a picturesque mountain town offers visitors more than 1,000 years of history, it’s difficult to imagine how it can become even more charming each year. But leave it to the passionate souls of Brixen (also known as Bressanone) to accomplish just that.

Each holiday season, this medieval gem near the Dolomites elevates enchantment through an authentic Christmas market paired with a one-of-a-kind light and music show within the 13th-century courtyard of the Hofburg, its famous Bishop’s Palace. Both are a must-experience for anyone relishing a feeling of awe that only Christmas morning can rival.

Merriment Beneath the Bell Towers’ Light

Brixen Christmas TreeBrixen’s Christmas market sprinkles the season’s spirit on practically every cobblestone of the Piazza Duomo. Nearly 40 decorated stalls dot the piazza beneath the soaring bell towers of South Tyrol’s most cherished cathedral. The Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and San Cassiano was first erected in 980. 

The stalls offer everything from handcrafted ornaments to scented delights to bread and Christmas cookies. Do not walk through this market without trying one of its gingerbread creations.

An antique carousel in the piazza’s center and an ice skating rink next to the Bishop’s Palace fills the atmosphere with spinning cheer. Thankfully, you can skip figuring out how to squeeze ice skates into your suitcase. They are available to rent for only a few euros.

Brixen Christmas Stall

Bressanone Christmas Market Stall
Thanks to an airline losing our luggage, we found the most comfortable socks in the world at the Brixen Christmas market!
Brixen Christmas market decor
Brixen’s Christmas market is a perfect place to discover the beautiful artisanship of South Tyroleans.

Beyond the dozens of stands selling South Tyrolean handmade goods, the market offers plenty of culinary specialties to tempt your eyes, nose and mouth. Perhaps the best bratwurst we ever had the pleasure of devouring came from Annemarie’s Standl. After finishing one we had to go back for another. We also nibbled on fresh krapfen, which was made on the spot by a lovely lady who was certainly someone’s Grandma. 

The imaginative visual wizardry of NATALIE is utterly spellbinding.

Our night at the Brixen Christmas market was a bit on the nippy side so we warmed up with a couple of cups Glühwein…not that we needed an excuse to sip wine. If wine is not your go-to warm-up drink, you can also enjoy warm apple cider, which given the splendor of South Tyrol’s apples is practically as good as wine in our book. You can also cozy up to plenty of tables with a fire if the merry warmth found in a cup does not do the trick.

Making Krapfen at the Brixen Christmas Market
A lady rolling the Christmas spirit into tasty treats known as krapfen.

Brixen Christmas Market Carousel

Watching Ancient Walls Burst into Life

After indulging in the charm of Brixen’s Christmas market, dazzle your eyes and ears by taking in the light and music show “NATALIE” at the Bishop’s Palace located on the south end of the Piazza Duomo. Created with the internationally acclaimed French light artists Spectaculaires – Allumeurs d’Images, the show whisks you away to a fairy tale world within the regal setting of the palace’s courtyard.

The imaginative visual wizardry of NATALIE is utterly spellbinding. The ancient walls surrounding you in the courtyard burst into life with a kaleidoscope of colors, imagery and song. Suddenly, you’re immersed in a fantasy where the palace lives and breathes.

An actress playing the role of Natalie interacts with the dancing facade singing through a story about a young maid awakening the soul of the Hofburg. She is commanded to throw a great celebration for the residents of Brixen — embarking on a magical adventure filled with a myriad of colorful characters.

Taking photos and video of the show is not only permitted, but encouraged. Below you’ll find a few of our favorite images from our evening with NATALIE.

Natalie Light Music Show Brixen

Natalie Light Musical Show in Bressanone

Natalie Show in Brixen

Natalie Light Musical Show at Hofburg Palace
Taking in the light and music show, NATALIE, is a must when visiting South Tyrol during the Christmas season.

The story is told in a mix of German an Italian, but that did not detract from our enjoyment or ability to understand its essence. The show runs approximately 20 minutes. Since it takes place in the open-air of the courtyard it’s wise to bundle up.

This season marks the first year for NATALIE. In previous years, a light and music show called “Soliman’s Dream” was held in the courtyard of the palace. It creatively re-imagined the time when Brixen welcomed a most unusual guest: an elephant.

In 1551, Soliman, a magnificent Asian bull, was on the last leg of his long journey from Portugal to Vienna. A gift from King John III of Portugal to his nephew, Archduke Maximilian of Austria, Soliman required rest before continuing his trek through the Alps to his new home in the north.

Brixen welcomed the elephant with open arms. Arriving in the village just before Christmas, an innkeeper provided a home for the young bull for 14 days. The inn where Soliman stayed still stands and welcomes guests to this day. Appropriately named Hotel Elephant, a centuries-old fresco on the oldest part of the hotel’s facade continues to tell the tale of what was certainly an exotic and magical creature to the residents of Brixen at the time.

When to Visit Brixen’s Christmas Market

Brixen’s Christmas market begins in late November and ends the first week of January. Exact dates can change year to year so be sure to visit the official event schedule before planning a trip. On most days the market opens at 10 am and closes at 7-7:30 pm. The food stands are open an hour longer to ensure enough good cheer is spread to each visitor.

NATALIE takes place through the duration of the Christmas market. Shows occur three a day at 5:30 pm, 6:30 pm and 7:30 pm (except December 24th-25th). Prices vary depending on the day, but are very reasonable at € 7-€10 for adults and € 1-€6 for children.

You could easily spend a full day exploring in and around Brixen. Any lover of history, architecture, art and wine would be a fool not to. But if you’re looking to just enjoy the Brixen Christmas market and NATALIE, then we recommend arriving two hours before your show.

Dessert at Restaurant Fink
We attempted to capture a shot of our dessert at Restaurant Fink prior to diving in, but it evaded us. As we learned, sweets at this South Tyrolean treasure have a tendency to swiftly disappear.

Restaurant Fink is a delightful place to eat either before or after the show if you still have room after wandering the Christmas Market. Their dessert dishes are divine. The restaurant is conveniently located in Brixen’s old town. It is one of only 25 establishments in South Tyrol to earn the official designation “Südtiroler Gasthaus”. This means Restaurant Fink meets the rigid standards necessary to ensure guests an authentic South Tyrolean dining experience.

Getting to Brixen – Let Enchantment be Your Guide

Alley in Brixen, ItalyGetting to Brixen is easy. It is located right off Autostrada A22 and is just 30 minutes northeast of Bolzano. We had no problems finding parking near the town center. Winding through its cobblestone alleys to the Piazza Duomo is a delight all by itself.

Concerned about driving? Don’t be. Anyone with common sense and a little pre-trip prep can handle it. Check out our post on driving in Italy for practical tips.

Brixen beams with charm no matter the season. But the holidays are an especially enchanting time in this corner of South Tyrol. Wandering the town’s Christmas market offers an endless assortment of enticing traditional South Tyrolean specialties and handmade creations. You’ll come away in awe at the talented craftsmanship of artisans from the region. And not to mention no shortage of treasured gifts for the loved ones in your life.

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Brixen / Bressanone Christmas Market

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Filed Under: South Tyrol Christmas Markets, South Tyrol Festivals & Events Tagged With: Bressanone, Brixen, Christmas Market, Natalie

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Our articles may contain affiliate links which means if you purchase after clicking a link, we receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Your purchases help ensure we can continue to serve you with inspiring content. Thank you for supporting Throne & Vine  – Kate & Vin.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. gingylove says

    January 7, 2018 at 6:28 am

    That truly looks magical I will have to add this to my places to visit and when.

    Reply
  2. Ania says

    January 2, 2018 at 3:39 pm

    Oh WOW! It looks absolutely amazing! I’d love to see it some day. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  3. Lynn says

    January 2, 2018 at 6:28 am

    WOW! What a beautiful place! Thanks for the lesson!

    Reply
  4. ray says

    January 1, 2018 at 11:30 am

    I love how, around the world, people bring light to the darkest time of year.This is beautiful!

    Reply
  5. Helen says

    December 31, 2017 at 8:04 pm

    This actually reminds me of this light festival we have in Sydney called Vivid. I loveeee how it just comes to life in the evening and those light effects are just so stunning. It’s like a scene out of Disney!

    Helen x

    Reply
  6. Kurline Altes says

    December 8, 2017 at 5:38 pm

    This is indeed mesmerizing. The pictures pulled me right in. I thought the Bible had history but Brixen, Italy is rich in history. Italy, here I come.

    Reply
  7. Sandy N Vyjay says

    December 5, 2017 at 9:52 pm

    What a spectacular event this is, the effects of light are indeed stunning. Brixen look like a fairy tale place come to life in vivid colour. The architectural mastery of these monuments seem to be adorned and embellished with modern ornamentation. Definitely something we need to experience.

    Reply
  8. Holly says

    December 5, 2017 at 8:30 pm

    I had no idea about this. 1000 years of history sounds right up my alley. This is so beautiful.

    Reply
  9. Lucy says

    December 5, 2017 at 9:33 am

    The light show on the buildings is beautiful! I saw something similar in Como last year. I love Christmas markets, especially if there is mulled wine!

    Reply
  10. Sarah says

    December 4, 2017 at 8:18 am

    Thanks truly incredible! I hope that one day soon I will be able to experience this, it looks magical!

    Reply
  11. Dee Jackson says

    December 4, 2017 at 1:18 am

    Your pictures are amazing. You really make the town come alive. I most definitely have to add this to my bucket list.
    http://www.mydeedeesdiary.com

    Reply
  12. Sarah Camille says

    December 3, 2017 at 9:45 pm

    This part of Italy sounds wonderful. I’ve only really been to central Italy but am planning to go back next year, and would love to check out a place like this. Thanks for the insight. 🙂

    Reply
  13. Jenn says

    December 3, 2017 at 4:38 pm

    Wow! I’ve never heard of this before but the show looks amazing and I’m adding it to my Bucket List! Thanks so much for sharing 🙂

    Reply
  14. Ann says

    December 2, 2017 at 7:38 pm

    What a beautiful place! Love the history and decorations! I once visited Europe over the holidays and would love to travel overseas again. Italy is definitely on my list of places to visit!

    Reply
  15. Michelle says

    December 2, 2017 at 7:15 pm

    Such a great mix of history with modern technology. Looks like a very fun town. I’ll have to add it to my list.

    Reply
  16. Brianna says

    December 2, 2017 at 6:17 pm

    Wow, those lights are just spectacular! Does it get cold in this area of Italy during this time of year? I’m not much for outdoor festivities when it’s freezing!

    Reply
    • Kate & Vin says

      December 3, 2017 at 5:41 pm

      Thank you! I’m a freeze baby also. This time of year, the temperature in South Tyrol ranges from mid-20s to mid-40s Fahrenheit. So it’s usually pretty tolerable.

      Reply
  17. Carmelatte says

    December 2, 2017 at 3:14 pm

    Such a lovely Christmas market <3

    Carmelatte

    Reply
  18. Clazz says

    December 2, 2017 at 10:59 am

    Woah, the water & light festival looks AMAZING! I’d never heard of it before. Guess I’ll be adding this to my never-ending list, haha!

    Reply
  19. beverley says

    December 2, 2017 at 8:22 am

    An interesting celebration which happens twice a year. It must feel more festive now than the one in May, but the pictures you have taken do depict WOW (world of water) I can really see how they value the water in the world.

    Reply
  20. Amy Poulton - Page Traveller says

    November 26, 2017 at 3:29 pm

    Wow! These photos are so gorgeous! I love Italy – spent a year living there and still can’t get enough! Thanks for sharing and bringing back some great memories.

    Reply
  21. Patricia G. says

    November 26, 2017 at 1:17 pm

    Wow! I have never seen anything like what Brixen has. I would like to go there someday! 🙂 I especially love the lights and the art there!

    Reply
  22. Heather Simpson-Bluhm says

    November 26, 2017 at 11:53 am

    Wow, what an amazing little town and celebration. I adored Italy when we visited there. Will have to add Brixen to my list for our next visit. Mesmerizing.

    Reply
  23. Christie Moeller says

    November 26, 2017 at 10:20 am

    WOW! How beautiful and I love the history! It’s holiday movie perfect!

    xoxo Christie
    http://www.icanstyleu.com/blog/

    Reply

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