HOW CHRISTMAS IS CELEBRATED ON THE AMALFI COAST

The Christmas season deeply engages the inhabitants of the Amalfi Coast. Despite its great popularity, the villages still feel Christmas as a time of togetherness and a return to their cultural roots. Houses are decorated with colorful lights, small and large nativity scenes are displayed, and the aroma of homemade sweets fills the alleys of the towns. Christmas is therefore still a time when family values and local traditions prevail over everything else.

Another deeply rooted tradition in Campania, and consequently also on the Amalfi Coast, is the presepe (i.e. a nativity scene). In every home, along with the Christmas tree, there is almost always a handmade presepe: the scene of the Nativity with Saint Joseph, Mary, and the baby Jesus (who is placed in the manger strictly at the stroke of midnight on December 25) is usually placed in plain view in every living room. Most of these nativity scenes are made from simple materials such as cork, cardboard, and terracotta, but on the Coast you can also find more special ones, such as those created with colorful Vietri ceramics! You can find them in all the artisan shops in Vietri sul Mare: they also make a truly unique gift idea!
An interesting fact about coastal presepi is that some are on display all year round around the cities. A perfect example is the one built inside the Cap 'e Ciuccio fountain in Amalfi. Another unique nativity scene is the one at the bottom of the Emerald Grotto in Conca dei Marini. This is an underwater presepe, located 4 meters deep inside the famous cave. Click on the link in the box below if you want to find out more. 
But that's not all: nativity scenes are sometimes made of... flesh and blood! Living nativity scenes are in fact a tradition rooted throughout Italy. Evocative and atmospheric, these nativity scenes feature spectacular sets and actors in full costume: visiting them is always exciting, even for the little ones! And this year in Albori, a hillside hamlet of Vietri sul Mare, you have the chance to experience one. You can find the link with more information in the box below. 

Events as heartfelt as Christmas are inevitably linked to moments of conviviality and togetherness and, especially in the South, there is nothing better than food to strengthen bonds and bring whole families together! During this period, people often gather to have lunch or dinner with their relatives: Christmas Eve is the time for the Cenone (literally: big dinner), followed by Christmas lunch the next day. And, like all holidays, Christmas also has its own culinary traditions to respect! Among the savory dishes, the most popular are spaghetti with seafood, fried fish and salt cod on Christmas Eve, and lasagna, pasta with meat sauce and the traditional minestra maritata on Christmas Day. 
Among the desserts, struffoli and susamielli reign supreme, but roccocò and mostaccioli are also present on every table. And that's not all: at the end of the meal, it's time for dried fruit! Figs with walnuts, hazelnuts, pumpkin seeds, prunes... you name it! These are usually accompanied by a very special wine, typical of Campania, with a straw yellow color and a fruity aroma: lambiccato! It is a very sweet but low-alcohol wine that everyone agrees on: there is really no better way to end a rich Christmas lunch!

As I said above, Christmas is an opportunity to return to the important things in life: being with family, sharing good food, participating in rituals and celebrations... in short, returning to one's cultural roots. Even many young people who leave home for work return to their families so as not to miss these moments. What's more, the cold December evenings are the perfect opportunity to gather around the tree and spend the evening playing traditional games, such as Tombola, or old but timeless card games. Exchanging gifts is, of course, another reason to get together: here too, every child eagerly awaits the arrival of Santa Claus!

The Christmas event that attracts the most visitors is undoubtedly Luci D'Artista in Salerno. For years now, the city of Salerno has been lit up in December with incredible light installations decorating the entire historic center and the municipal park, creating mazes of lights that are wonderful to get lost in. The 20th edition of the event will last until January 2, 2026. If you would like more information, you can find it at this link. 
Another much-loved event is also back this year: the Notti Azzurre di Cetara (Blue Nights of Cetara)! Film forums, tastings, musical performances, processions, bingo games, markets, and plays... it's a truly comprehensive package! You can find the detailed program in the box below. 
Finally, don't forget the lighting of the Christmas lights in Atrani: the tiny village illuminated with thousands of colored LEDs becomes a real open-air nativity scene. What's more, this year the municipality of Atrani has organized a contest for the best photo and video of the lights: one more reason to visit Atrani at Christmas! If you want to participate, click here. 

In short, experiencing Christmas on the Amalfi Coast is a chance to rediscover the meaning of the holidays, of the importance of small gestures, of time spent with family, and of the traditions and popular culture. What are you waiting for? Come and visit the coast at Christmas!