The Christmas atmosphere is unique: the cities are illuminated, the streets are filled with magic and the air smells of cinnamon and chestnuts. In the sign of tradition, this year the lights of Christmas are again protagonists, but some promise to be the best light shows of 2024.
When winter comes, Italy dresses up for the party with spectacular light installations that transform cities into sparkling masterpieces capable of winning over both children and adults.
In 2024, Rome, Milan, Turin and Salerno have outdone themselves with installations that combine art, technology and sustainability and make every walk a wonderful journey.
Rome, the eternal city lights up with magic
The capital is surprising at any time of year, but when there are the Christmas lights it seems wrapped in a magical atmosphere that leaves you speechless.
Next to the majestic Christmas tree in Piazza Venezia and the traditional installations of Piazza Navona, a few years ago the exhibition “Trame di Luce” arrived in the suggestive Orto Botanico. From 30 November 2024 to 6 January 2025, you can immerse yourself in nature and get lost among surprising light effects and creative installations, such as beams and galleries of lights and waterfalls of thousands of colored bulbs.
“It will be an even more spectacular edition, for a return to emotions with unpublished attractions that give a new light to Christmas and its traditions, able to renew without forgetting our roots, thanks to the artists protagonists of the installations and works of light – said the creative director of the exhibition Silvia Dorigo at Roma Today –
This year, moreover, the visitors will not participate in the tours as mere spectators, but they will be involved to the point of becoming themselves co-protagonists of the route, helping to compose the magic in which they will immerse themselves opera after opera. It will be a high-engagement experience, discovering an emotional world of great visual impact and that is enhanced with a multisensory experience made not only of images rich in charm. In fact, the music of the luminous works will add a new key that will touch other chords of the soul in this microcosm for many aspects never seen before in Rome”.
Also from 30 November 2024 to 6 January 2025, Villa Borghese hosts the “Christmas World” format by Lux Entertainment with new themed attractions and sets dedicated to cities such as London, Tokyo, New York and Berlin. Special mention is due to Lapland, the Santa Claus House, the City of Lights and the Nativity. To enrich the experience there are also folk shows, rides and a skating rink.
“Christmas World returns to Rome for 50 days of pure Christmas magic. This year, the event is designed to make each visitor experience unique moments, immersed in an atmosphere that celebrates the warmth and wonder of Christmas, making every day special and unforgettable”, said President Roberto Fantauzzi to E20Express.
Milan: elegance and design in perfect harmony
Milan is a dynamic and lively city even at Christmas. This year it turns into a real theater of lights, where every street, square and neighborhood tells the magic of Christmas with elegance and sustainability.
From 1 November 2024 to 9 January 2025, thanks to the attention to detail and the innovative low-consumption lighting system, the city combines spectacular and eco-sustainability.
Among the attractions not to be missed from 8 November to 22 December 2024 are the luminaries of “La Magia del Natale” in Carroponte di Sesto San Giovanni that, thanks to their complex design and the riot of colors, seem like a dream. These installations, made by Decolux, have attracted international attention and are now candidates for UNESCO Cultural Heritage.
In addition, the main streets of Milan, such as Corso Vittorio Emanuele and Via della Spiga, will be lit up with elegant light garlands and artistic installations. In addition to evoking the Christmas atmosphere, this year’s lighting was designed to reflect key principles of the upcoming Winter Olympics, such as unity, solidarity and sporting spirit.
The Christmas tree in Piazza Duomo from Ponte di Legno echoes the theme of the artistic installations. It has an imposing height and thousands of LED lights that alternate with personalized decorations.
“Milan is preparing for the Olympic and Paralympic Games of 2026 with a splendid tree that will illuminate piazza Duomo with the support of Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026 – said the City Councillor for Sport, Tourism and Youth Policies of the Municipality of Milan, Martina Riva, During the presentation of the ‘Christmas of the Trees’ call for proposals – But we do not stop there. I must thank the many companies that have responded with enthusiasm to the call for ‘Christmas in Milan 2024’: 27 trees in the city during the Christmas holidays are a new record for Milan. Each project in the center will be connected to an installation spread in the municipalities. All at no cost to the Municipality’s coffers. It will be a great party for the Milanese and for the many tourists who will be arriving in town for the holidays”.
In addition to the tree in Piazza Duomo and the one designed by Dior Parfums in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, other Christmas trees are planned in various districts to illuminate the city of Milan.
The city has also been conquered by the trend of video mapping that transforms the urban context into a luminous canvas capable of offering exciting shows. An example is the Light Cycles experience, which combines visual effects and immersive storytelling.
Turin, light becomes art
Turin renews its appointment with the famous event “Luci d’Artista” that transforms the squares and streets of the city in open air galleries. In fact, the event promises to become “a generator of artistic research around the theme of light active all year round”, as curator Antonio Grulli revealed in an interview with ATP Diary.
Among the installations permanently integrated in the urban landscape are the “Flight of numbers” by Mario Merz that illuminates the Mole Antonelliana, the “Little blue spirits” by Rebecca Horn on the Monte dei Cappuccini and “Love the differences” by Michelangelo Pistoletto in Piazza della Repubblica.
In Piazza Carignano there is “Cosmometrie” by Mario Airò (which is renewed every year) while Piazza Carlo Alberto shines with “Orizzonti” by Giovanni Anselmo.
Some works have found a new location, such as “Ice Cream Light” by Vanessa Safavi which is for the first time in Largo Montebello and “Luì and the art of going into the woods” by Luigi Mainolfi who has moved to Via Carlo Alberto.
The event is enriched by two new installations: “Scia’Mano” by Luigi Ontani (inspired by the figure of the shaman and the magical dimension of Turin) and “VR Man” by Andreas Angelidakis (which recalls the classical iconography and the connection between athletic activity and intellectual).
Among the works returned to their usual locations are “Christmas Sails” by Vasco Are in piazza Bodoni, “L’energia che unisce si espande nel blu” by Marco Gastini in Galleria Umberto I and “Tappeto volante” by Daniel Buren in piazza Palazzo di Città.
The installations of international artists such as Jeppe Hein, Rebecca Horn, Alfredo Jaar and Michelangelo Pistoletto are located in other central areas of Turin, including piazza Risorgimento, Monte dei Cappuccini and Piazza della Repubblica.
Salerno shines with the “Luci d’Artista”
Also this year, among the places where to see the Christmas lights is Salerno: the city confirms a reference point for lovers of these works. In fact, in Salerno there are some of the most beautiful luminaries in Italy.
From 29 November 2024 to 2 February 2025, the luminaries of Salerno, from Corso Vittorio Emanuele to the Mercati to the Villa Comunale and then in Piazza Flavio Gioia, animate the city with light installations that promise to amaze as every year.
More in detail, among many, Via dei Mercanti is adorned with sparkling flowers; Piazza della Libertà hosts a comet and various luminous fish; Via Velia houses a fountain; The Villa Comunale has been installed the star tunnels; the vicinity of the Cathedral are enriched by luminous angels; Via Portacatena is embellished with the Dance of the Jellyfish.
Copertina : Unsplash