Christmas is an invitation to slow down and rediscover the pleasure of spending time together. A stroll beneath the lights, a story that captivates the children, a little discovery to share: sometimes, these simple moments are all it takes to make a family day special.
With Montecatini Città del Natale – Destinazione Natale, the city’s squares and avenues become stops along a festive trail filled with games, shows and enchanting settings. The 2026 calendar announces the opening for Saturday, 14 November, with events continuing through the festive season until Epiphany.
A Passport to Explore the City
The journey begins in Piazza del Popolo. Here, at the Info Point, an elf welcomes visitors and hands out a map of the trail, along with small decorations to colour in and hang on the Christmas tree in the square.
The Christmas Passport guides the adventure: at each stop, families can collect activity stamps and, once they have completed the trail, receive gifts and discount vouchers for participating businesses. A walk around town becomes a game to enjoy together, with something new waiting around every corner.
Elves, Letters to Santa and Wonderful Stories
Along Viale Verdi, in the gardens surrounding the War Memorial beside Cascina Igea, you will find the Enchanted Forest. This stop celebrates imagination with a themed trail and activities that, on weekends and public holidays, include entertainment, face painting and a workshop where children can write their letters to Santa with help from the elves.
At the entrance to the pine park, between Viale Verdi and Viale delle Tamerici, stories come to life in the Magical Book of Wonders. Inside a Christmas-themed wooden cabin, a giant animated book turns its pages and tells stories to children: a chance to pause and enjoy a moment of wonder before continuing the adventure.
Shows and Lights in the Heart of Montecatini
The Town Hall also joins the celebrations. Its steps become the stage for the Little Magical Christmas Theatre, hosting street theatre performances. In bad weather, the shows move inside to the building’s entrance hall.
In Piazza del Popolo, the Kingdom of Ice offers entertainment and appearances by Elsa and Olaf, according to the show programme. The façades of buildings around the square also become the backdrop for projection mapping, adding another dazzling stop to the visit.
For those who feel like getting active, the ice-skating rink, also in Piazza del Popolo, offers a chance to lace up some skates and have fun together in the city centre. There is a charge for this attraction.
The Christmas Market on Viale Verdi
For anyone who enjoys browsing the stalls, the trail continues at the Christmas Market on Viale Verdi, opposite Gambrinus. Handmade products, food specialities and festive treats offer the perfect opportunity to find a gift or stop for something delicious.
The dedicated page lists opening times as 9 am to 8 pm on weekends and public holidays, from 14 November to 27 December.
Meeting Santa at the Tettuccio
Among the experiences featured on the website is Santa’s Temple, at the Tettuccio thermal establishment. The adventure involves completing five secret missions to earn the key to Santa’s kingdom.
This experience requires advance planning: the website specifies that there will be no ticket office on site and that admission must be booked ahead for a set time. Packages include either a stay at a family hotel or lunch and admission, so check the specific conditions before arranging your visit.
A Festive Break to Share
After a day of stories, shows and walks, your stay can also be an opportunity to make time for relaxation. For a getaway for two, discover the Special Couples offers at Hotel Columbia Wellness & Spa. If you would like to stay and welcome the new year, explore our New Year’s Eve offers.
To choose your stops and plan your days, visit the official Montecatini Città del Natale website www.montecatinicittadelnatale.it. The programme is being updated, so check the dates, times and participation details for each attraction before your visit, leaving you free to relax and enjoy every moment.
