Christmas in Cavallino-Treporti

At this time of year the atmosphere turns magical, as everyone prepares for Christmas festivities at Cavallino-Treporti. Italian tradition has it that Christmas trees, decorations, and special lights are in place by 8th December. While many local families follow this custom, the first lighting decorations along public roads, in private gardens and on the terraces can already be seen in mid-November. 

The town’s festivities officially start on Saturday, 2nd December in the Piazza Papa Giovanni Paolo II town square with the lighting up of the municipal Christmas tree, with local dignitaries in attendance.  

The Christmas Events’ Programme in Cavallino-Treporti has something for everyone: from the Camminata degli Elfi (Elf Walk – in search of Santa Claus), the Christmas Village Markets with their food trucks, the Cavallino Choir Christmas Concert, the Musicanti di Brema (Bremen Town Musicians) theatre performance, and the River Gospel Mass Choir’s New Year's Concert are some of this year’s attractions. 

Cavallino-Treporti also boasts an illustrious inhabitant with a special affiliation to Christmas. Referred to as “The King of Christmas”, Daniel Marangon Goretti is a renowned local artist and creator of a miniature model village populated with statuettes, trees, houses and so on. This year he’ll be at Manin Cultural Centre in Ca' Savio between 8th December and 14th January 2024.  

Cavallino-Treporti’s local families also have a long tradition of building nativity scenes, which are sometimes exhibited in public. They take part in an annual contest that culminates on Epiphany, with prizes given to the most outstanding nativity scene. 

This year, however, the real novelty is the Lagoon Nativity scene. As the world’s longest, it features 180 hand-painted statues carved out of marine plywood. Curated by Francesco Orazio, another Ca'Savio resident, it can best be admired at a slight distance until 7th January from the cantilevered cycle path across the Venice lagoon. This breath-taking setting is a true photographer’s delight! 

In Cavallino-Treporti, there’s also the decades-long living nativity scene performance by Artiano Bodi and the Usi e Costumi del Litorale Association staged annually on 6th January at the Bodi plant nursery in Via Fausta street. On the same day, the important ‘Pinza’ cake competition is held when the traditional Epiphany cakes (like our grandmothers used to make) vie for first prize. Pinza ingredients include corn flour, milk, stale bread, dried figs, walnuts, and apples. Handed down from one generation to the next, his traditional peasant sweetmeat is a local institution with each Venetian family jealously guarding its own recipe. 

If you happen to be in the area on 5th January during Epiphany don't miss the “Pan e Vin” (or “Pavineri”) ceremony, where huge bonfires are set alight along the Venetian coast. Originating as a propitiatory rite on New Year, this peasant tradition is still celebrated in Cavallino-Treporti. It signifies putting behind the bad things that have occurred in the past year and has been transformed into a time of celebration and introspection for the community. 

At Christmas time, Marina di Venezia Camping Village also celebrates its own traditions. Moreno, Giulia and Claudia get ready to decorate the Christmas tree with its own special charm, and our social channels are already ablaze with festive photos and video clips. Mid-December marks a special time for us here, when we all gather together for our traditional Christmas toast, exchanging salutations, and promising to see each other again soon.  

Come the end of the year, we look forward to the new 2024 season!