Christmas Markets 2026 in Motta San Giovanni: 12 and 13 December

Piazza della Municipalità · Motta San Giovanni, Costa Viola, Calabria

12 December 2026 – 13 December 2026

On Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 December 2026 the hilltop centre of Motta San Giovanni, just south of Reggio Calabria, hosts its 2026 Christmas Markets, organised by the municipality with local non-profit associations. Up to 40 Christmas-style wooden chalets fill Piazza della Municipalità and Piazza del Borgo, open on Saturday from 4pm to 11pm and on Sunday from 9am to 11pm. On sale: Calabrian and local food, Christmas sweets, nativity figures, decorations and crafts in wood, glass, ceramics and terracotta. Events, live music and shows for children are planned, though the programme is not out yet. The markets are outdoors in public squares and no tickets are mentioned; for information call the council's tourism office on +39 0965 718104.

Dates, times and squares of the 2026 Christmas Markets

Motta San Giovanni's 2026 Christmas Markets run on Saturday 12 December, from 4pm to 11pm, and Sunday 13 December, from 9am to 11pm. They take place in Motta Centro, the historic hilltop core of the municipality, across two nearby squares: Piazza della Municipalità, home of the town hall, and Piazza del Borgo.

The markets are organised by the Comune di Motta San Giovanni together with local non-profit associations. The town council approved the plan on 13 October 2026 (resolution no. 72) and the call for stallholders was published on 15 October. The council says the aim is to support local producers and businesses and to offer a sociable occasion designed above all for children.

The chalets and what you can buy

Up to 40 Christmas-style wooden chalets, measuring 2x2 or 3x2 metres, are set up in the two squares; five are reserved for local non-profit associations. Stallholders get them free of charge and must decorate them for Christmas in three colours only: green, red and gold.

The call describes the event as a showcase of products in keeping with Calabrian and local tradition. Expect typical Calabrian food, Christmas sweets and quality regional food and wine, nativity figures and accessories, tree ornaments, Christmas decorations and gadgets, candles and wax items, and handmade crafts in wood, glass, metal, straw, leather, fabric, ceramics and terracotta, as well as gift items. Hobbyists are also admitted, but only with non-food items they have made themselves.

Shows and programme

According to the council's press release, reported by StrettoWeb and Ciavula, the two days will include a range of events, live music and shows aimed partly at younger visitors. The detailed programme, with names and times, has not been published yet: the call says updates will appear on the council's official website, and this page will be updated too.

Sunday is the longer day, with chalets open from morning until 11pm; on Saturday the market starts in the afternoon and carries on into the evening, when the lit-up chalets make the walk between the two squares more atmospheric. The council reserves the right to change dates and times, so it is worth checking shortly before you go.

What previous editions looked like

In 2024 the council held «L'incanto magico del Natale» (The Magic of Christmas) on Sunday 22 December in the same two squares, Piazza della Municipalità and Piazza del Borgo: more than 40 stallholders from 4pm, with crespelle (fried dough), frittole (slow-cooked pork), cured meats, cheeses, petrali and other local sweets, bagpipe music, mascots and workshops for children, a vintage car parade and a dance school performance.

In 2025 the event became a Christmas Village themed on the five senses, on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 December, spreading to Piazza del Minatore and Piazza Saragat with over 50 chalets, pastry chefs' cooking shows, a DJ set, Father Christmas's house with its own post office and a free shuttle bus. These details describe past editions: for 2026 the squares named are Piazza della Municipalità and Piazza del Borgo.

How to get to Motta San Giovanni

Motta San Giovanni is a hill town south of Reggio Calabria, its territory a series of hills sloping down to the sea. On the coast lies its hamlet of Lazzaro, crossed by the SS106 Ionian coast road and by the suburban railway between Villa San Giovanni and Melito di Porto Salvo. Motta Centro is a few kilometres from the SS106, at the end of a scenic road up the hillside.

If you are coming from the north on the A2 motorway, drive to Reggio Calabria and continue south on the SS106. No dedicated parking or shuttle has been announced for 2026 (in 2025 the council ran a free shuttle bus). For information, contact the council's Tourism and Events office in Piazza della Municipalità on +39 0965 718104.

What to see in Motta San Giovanni

On a rocky height within the municipality stands the Castle of Santo Niceto, a Byzantine fortress from the first half of the 11th century that overlooked the hills above Reggio; its irregular plan resembles a ship with its bow pointing at the mountains. It is one of the few surviving examples of early medieval architecture in Calabria and has been restored: check access arrangements before you go.

Motta is also known for working pietra reggina, a limestone quarried at Contrada Sarto and on the Capo dell'Armi headland; the town centre has a Piazza del Minatore (Miners' Square). On the coast at Lazzaro, the Leucopetra archaeological area was upgraded and made accessible, with walkways and information panels including braille, and officially opened in 2024. For other Christmas events in the province, see the events calendar.

Frequently asked questions

When are the 2026 Christmas Markets in Motta San Giovanni?

On Saturday 12 December 2026 from 4pm to 11pm and on Sunday 13 December from 9am to 11pm.

Where are the markets held?

In Motta Centro, in Piazza della Municipalità and Piazza del Borgo.

Is admission free?

Yes: the market is held outdoors in two public squares and neither the council nor the local press mention tickets. You only pay for what you buy at the chalets.

How many chalets will there be and what do they sell?

Up to 40 wooden chalets selling Calabrian and local food, Christmas sweets, nativity figures, decorations, candles and crafts in wood, glass, ceramics and terracotta.

Will there be entertainment?

Yes, the council announces events, live music and shows including some for children, but the programme with names and times has not been published yet.

How can I apply for a stall?

Using the council's form, by 12 noon on 7 November 2026, by certified email to protocollo@pec.comunemottasg.it, by email to affarigenerali@comunemottasg.it or by hand at the Protocol Office in Piazza della Municipalità. Chalets are allocated free of charge.

Who can I ask for information?

The Tourism and Events office of the Comune di Motta San Giovanni, Piazza della Municipalità, tel. +39 0965 718104.

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