Ready, steady, go: there we go! Arco Christmas markets have kicked off. The streets get studded with some Christmas dazzle, the atmosphere is livelier than ever! Smelling of cinnamon, mulled wine, spices, fresh fir towering on the main square where the Christmas markets are placed. The warm lights on both stalls and tree are mirrored in the onlookers’ eyes gazing at the magic of Christmas in awe.
You are in Arco and the celebration everybody is waiting for couldn’t set off in a better way! Counting down the days with delicacies and traditions, Garda Trentino welcomes you in its cheerful atmosphere. Strolling out around the stalls full to the brim, you can find all sorts of handmade items, food specialities like cold cuts and cheese, polenta, chestnuts and other delicacies for you to prepare recipes from the Alto Garda tradition at home.
But also Christmas decorations, Christmas balls from the most traditional to the most modern ones; basically, everything you need to create your own Christmas atmosphere. A visit to the Christmas markets is the perfect occasion to chance upon original gifts, to taste delicious local food and to live the evocative Christmas vibes.
THE 20-YEAR CHARM OF CHRISTMAS IN GARDA TRENTINO
This year the Arco Christmas markets’ twenty year anniversary will be celebrated, have you already visited it? It kicked off on November, the 18th and until January, the 8th the lit wooden stalls will keep company with us. Arco is located in the northern tip of the Alto Garda area, the southern end of the Sarca River valley which flows into Lake Garda. Its position, protected by high mountains, and its proximity to the lake cinch this Habsburg town a notably mild climate, providing the Christmas markets’ visitors with the chance to enjoy the Christmas vibes without being literally left out in the bitter cold! It’s no accident in fact that the Habsburg court used to get through the winter in these sun-kissed places!
CREATIVE FAIR CHRISTMAS
During the Christmas markets, Arco also pays its tribute to two famous people. On the one hand, the great painter Segantini, who was born here (by displaying 18 blow-ups picturing his famous paintings that are displayed along the streets in the city centre, following a proper itinerary which ends at Palazzo Panni). On the other hand, the pilot Caproni, a real forerunner in his sector, whom Arco pays its respects with an art installation about the history of one of the people who mostly contributed to the Italian aviation’s development, and anticipating in this way next year’s anniversary celebrations.
After the earthquake in middle Italy and its sad consequences, Arco Christmas markets turns out to be fair as well, presenting the excellences from Norcia (Perugia), to support the earthquake regions.
But Christmas is for children, you know. And so, room for the little ones who have the opportunity to take a ride on the donkeys or appreciate the teaching farm with the barn animals.
We have already informed you about the glittering Christmas you could experience on the Garda Trentino shores. Now, it’s up to you to go and find out if we… were right!
If you decide to visit it on the weekend of December 8, don’t miss the firework display on Saturday, December 10. It will turn the square and the stalls gold and red and also the castle will become fire red, recreating the “burning castle” scene.
Santa is waiting for you on the sightseeing train riding around the town; have you already taken a ride on it?
The real Christmas should be lived, breathed, loved as it is possible only on the shores of Italy’s biggest body of fresh water.
