Advent in Bolzano: Events, Lights, and the New Year's Eve Run

Bolzano – The Christmas market on Waltherplatz is what the city is known for in December. But it’s only part of the program: Starting on November 26, 2026, through January 6, 2027 In addition, there will be a light installation at Rathausplatz, a solidarity market at Kornplatz, concerts every weekend, and the BOclassic New Year's Eve Run on December 31.

This post covers everything happening around the 112 stalls. The dates and hours of the market itself are listed in the post about the Bolzano Christmas Market 2026.

Christmas Traditions at City Hall Square

Two minutes from Waltherplatz is the quieter part of Bolzano's Advent celebrations. Every day, the facade of City Hall is illuminated by 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Photographs are projected that tell the story of Alpine Advent traditions: the Advent Novena from December 1 to 17, the Advent wreath and Advent calendar, St. Barbara’s Day on December 4, St. Nicholas Day on December 6, and the winter solstice on December 21.

In the square stands a 4.5-meter-tall wooden sculpture titled „Reconciliation“: a hollowed-out tree trunk featuring jubilant figures, alluding to the Olympic spirit. Town Hall Square is the place where you can escape the crowds at the market for twenty minutes without losing the festive spirit.

The Solidarity Market at Kornplatz

From the November 26 through December 23, 2026 The Solidarity Market is held at Kornplatz daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Clubs and social organizations sell goods there, and the proceeds go toward their projects.

If you're looking for a gift that's more than just a token present, stop by here before joining the lines at Waltherplatz. Kornplatz is located between Waltherplatz and Obstplatz—you'll pass it on your way anyway.

Music, the Christmas Walk, and the Wine Lounge

Every Saturday and Sunday afternoon, concerts are held at Waltherplatz. The Alpine Advent, as the program is called, airs on Saturdays from 2 to 5 p.m. and on Sundays starting at 11 a.m., featuring brass bands, choirs, and folk musicians.

In addition, there is the Christmas Walk, a self-guided tour through the festively decorated streets of the Old Town, a Wine Lounge Featuring Bolzano wines at the market and craft demonstrations at the booths. The „Find & Win“ museum quiz sends you on a tour of the city’s buildings while the market is open.

Good to know: The specific dates for the musical program won’t be announced until later this fall. If you’re traveling here for a specific concert, check mercatinodinatalebz.it right before you leave—for a typical Advent stroll, the rule of thumb „weekend afternoon“ is perfectly sufficient.

St. Nicholas and the Krampus on December 6

December 6 is the busiest day of Advent in Bolzano. From 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. St. Nicholas visits the Christmas market, accompanied by angels and bearing gifts for the children. Two and a half hours later, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., the square belongs to the Krampuses, St. Nicholas's shaggy companions with carved wooden masks and heavy bells.

The difference from a parade in a German city center: The Krampuses get up close to the crowd. If you have small children, it’s best to stand in the second row, and leave your nice jacket at the hotel. If you just want to see the friendly part, come in the afternoon and be gone by 5:30.

BOclassic: The New Year's Eve Run Through the Old Town

On December 31, 2026 On New Year's Eve, Bolzano's Old Town belongs to the runners. The BOclassic is one of Europe's best-known New Year's Eve races and follows a loop course of 1,250 meters Right through the alleys—one to eight laps, depending on the category. It's free to watch; just stand by the barrier.

The races will start in stages: The fun run in the morning is open to everyone, and the elite races, which regularly feature top international athletes, will take place in the early afternoon.

How do you get to Bolzano, and where do you park?

The train station is located about 300 meters from Waltherplatz, which is a two-minute walk. Bolzano is on the Brenner Line, and all intercity trains traveling from Munich to Verona stop here. Special trains will also run during the opening weekends. Luggage can be dropped off at Platform 1 daily from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

If you're driving, it's best to park right off the highway. The Expo Parking Lot The parking lot at the Bolzano South exit has 800 spaces and costs €0.50 per hour on weekdays after the first two hours are free; it’s free on weekends in December, except from December 6–8, when a flat daily rate of €5.00 applies. From there, you can take the train or city bus to the city center; on select Advent weekends, a free shuttle is also available. Other parking areas include the Bolzano Center parking lot on Mayr-Nusser-Straße, which has 1,200 spaces, and the Palasport, which has 425 spaces.

When would be the best time for you to come?

To be honest, December 6 is the worst day for a quiet stroll—and at the same time, the best day for anyone who wants to experience the local traditions. On the three days surrounding the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, the whole of South Tyrol is out and about in Bolzano; parking at the fairgrounds costs money then, and you can only move at a snail’s pace between the stalls.

The quietest time during the week is in the morning. And there’s a window that hardly anyone takes advantage of: the days between Christmas and January 6. The market is still open, the city is empty, and on December 31, you get the New Year’s Eve run thrown in.

Our Take on Advent 2026 in Bolzano

Bolzano is bustling in December, and for good reason: No other place in South Tyrol packs so much into six weeks. The market is the centerpiece of the program, but the evenings belong to Town Hall Square—December 6 is dedicated to traditions, and December 31 to runners.

The next step: Set aside a weekday, take the train, and plan your evening for after 7 p.m. All the market's event dates and opening hours are listed in the post about Christmas market Bolzano, and if you want to connect multiple markets, the overview of the Authentic South Tyrolean Christmas Markets.

Prices, opening hours, and programs are subject to change. Check the details on the organizers' official websites before your trip.