Christmas Lights in Salerno 2025: Luci d’Artista displays, ice rinks & festive events

The Christmas lights in Salerno are the heart of Luci d’Artista, one of Italy’s most beloved winter events. Each year, the city becomes an open‑air gallery, with the historic centre stitched together by large‑scale artworks in light. Now in its twentieth edition, the festive event has grown from a local initiative into a national draw.

Christmas lights in Salerno 2025: dates and switch-on schedule

Luci d’Artista runs from Friday, 14th November 2025, through Sunday, 1st February 2026. The switch‑on was at 5.30 pm in the Villa Comunale, with the mayor and governor on hand. 

The evening is threaded with music from the Giuseppe Verdi Municipal Theatre: the Children’s Choir at the Villa Comunale, the Gospel Choir in Piazza Flavio Gioia, and a Brass Orchestra in Piazza Caduti di Brescia. 

Must-see Christmas light displays in Salerno

Salerno’s Christmas lights are recognised as being some of the best festive light displays in Italy. The innovative designs are created by internationally renowned artists who craft fairytale-like scenes of light. Salerno Christmas Tree in Piazza Portanova is around 20 metres, with 800 branches and more than 70,000 white LEDs.

Ivan Romano Getty images

• In the Villa Comunale, the Prehistoric Garden plants luminous creatures and giant flowers among the trees.
• The historic centre unfurls as a Flower Path, all colour and glow tucked between old stone and shopfronts.
• At Piazza Largo Campo, The Dance of the Jellyfish brings the sea ashore with floating forms and seaside hues.
• In Piazza Flavio Gioia, Luca Pannoli’s …and the Stars are Watching turns the square into a quiet, star‑looking moment.
• Over in Piazza Sant’Agostino, Pannoli’s Coloring Salerno stacks giant pencils with words that nod to truth, loyalty and creativity.
• Along Corso Vittorio Emanuele, the Winter Sea runs in a calmer key.
• Piazza della Libertà closes the loop with The Flowers of the Sea, a contemporary wave of floral‑marine motifs by the water. 

Other Christmas highlights in Salerno 2025

Beyond the core light trail, Salerno layers on music, markets and family-friendly outings that make the city one of the best destinations in Italy for a December holiday. 

Ivan Romano Getty images

Opening-night music across the city

Launch night is threaded with performances from the Giuseppe Verdi Municipal Theatre. The Children’s Choir in the Villa Comunale, a Gospel Choir in Piazza Flavio Gioia and a Brass Orchestra in Piazza Caduti di Brescia.

Christmas markets in the centre and along the promenade

Expect Mercatini di Natale in early December around the historic centre and the seafront. Like many of Italy's top Christmas markets, you'll find lots of stalls for gifts, ornaments and local treats.

Guided tours of Luci d’Artista

If you’d like context and a tidy route, guided walks of the lights are available during the season. They’re handy for covering the highlights at a comfortable pace and learning the stories behind each themed installation.

Ice skating and family attractions in greater Salerno

• La Fabbrica Shopping Centre ice rink: an easy add-on if you want a skate before returning to the centre.
• Le Cinque Porte Shopping Park ice rink: another seasonal rink in Fisciano, within reach by car or public transport.
• Cilento Outlet, Eboli (Santa Claus Village Trail): a festive trail and kid-friendly stop that pairs well with daytime shopping before an evening lap of the lights.

Mercanti Art Gallery for an early-evening pause

The Mercanti Art Gallery has been drawing attention this year and works nicely as a short cultural stop before you drift back into the illuminated streets for a slower second lap.

Marco Ebreo, CC BY-SA 4.0 Creative commons

Best routes to see Salerno’s Christmas lights 2025

The festival is designed as a walk, and it’s an easy one to follow.

Start in the Villa Comunale to dip into the fantastical Prehistoric Garden, then wander the historic centre where the streets bloom into a Flower Path. 

From here, the circuit threads together key piazzas and the seafront, so you can pace yourself and stop for photos or a warm drink whenever you fancy.

Work your way to Piazza Largo Campo for a brush with underwater whimsy, and continue to Piazza Flavio Gioia for a luminous night sky.

Drift across Piazza Sant’Agostino and along Corso Vittorio Emanuele toward Piazza della Libertà, where sea‑flowers sway above the promenade. 

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