The magic of Christmas 2024 on Lake Maggiore and Lake Orta

Christmas lights dance on the waters of Lake Maggiore and Lake Orta, creating magical reflections that amplify the charm of the lakeside towns. Locations such as Stresa, Orta San Giulio and Arona are transformed into fairy-tale settings, with markets, concerts and living nativity scenes enlivening the streets. The enveloping aroma of mulled wine and traditional sweets guides visitors on a journey of ancient traditions and enchanting sights.
Discover with Engel & Völkers Lake Maggiore and Lake Orta the events of Christmas 2024!

Christmas 2024 on the Lombard shore of Lake Maggiore - illuminations, submerged nativity scenes and skating rinks

Let's start our tour to discover Christmas events on the Lombard shore of the Lake from Leggiuno. 

Until the January 06, the village famous for the majestic Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso will be illuminated by the striking Lucine di Natale (Christmas lights). In 1999, Lino Betti, a native from Leggiuno, bought the first lights in Brazil, and since then, the collection has grown every year to an impressive 600,000 lights. Year after year, his home and garden soon became a must-see destination for children and adults alike. Like a Christmas fairy tale, the creator then decided, with the support of numerous collaborators, to light up the entire village. Today, Leggiuno glows with glacial caves, fairy-tale castles, flower meadows, decorated trees, and reindeer.

Since 1979, the sunken nativity scene has been a unique Laveno Mombello tradition, visible in the heart of the village. Consisting of 42 statues carved from white Vicenza stone, the nativity scene is placed on five platforms below the water level. This stone, bright and refined, emerges beautifully in the night darkness thanks to underwater spotlights. The most striking moment takes place on the evening of December 24, when two divers lay the Baby Jesus in the submerged manger, carried in procession amid the participation and emotion of those present.

During the holidays, Luino, the main town on the Lombard shore of Lake Maggiore, is transformed into an enchanted village full of events and initiatives designed to provide unforgettable moments for the whole family. Twinkling lights, engaging music and activities for everyone enliven the town, creating a magical atmosphere. Between a cup of hot chocolate and a typical Christmas cake, don't miss the chance to have fun on the ice rink in Piazza della Libertà, open until the end of January!

Christmas 2024 on the Piedmont shore of Lake Maggiore - islands of light, videomapping, concerts and dips

After last year's extraordinary success, Lake Maggiore will once again enchant with the second edition of “Islands of Light - The Circle of Lights,” scheduled from November 15, 2024 to January 12, 2025. Every day, starting at 4:30 p.m., the lake will be transformed into a magical light stage, with Isola Bella and Isola dei Pescatori as the absolute stars. A unique spectacle that you can also admire from the lakefront of Stresa and Baveno, providing unforgettable emotions.
Isola Bella, famous for the sumptuous Borromeo Palace and its Italian gardens, will be enveloped in warm tones that recall the sunrise. Through evocative videomapping, the palace will become a living canvas, enlivened by blooms inspired by the still lifes housed in its precious collections while the terraced gardens will glow under lights that will enhance every detail, from the majestic Unicorn statue to the fountains and obelisks.
On Isola dei Pescatori (Fishermen's Island), lights inspired by the warm hues of sunset will envelop the village in a romantic and evocative atmosphere. The light installations, evoking the harmonious movement of schools of fish and the magic of the starry sky, will pay homage to life on the lake and its seafaring tradition.

Are you planning to spend a few moments of relaxation in Verbania? The most important center of the Lake is also ready to let you be enchanted by its Christmas atmosphere with markets, concerts, skating rinks but especially with the videomapping of “Natale di Luce - Christmas of Light”! Thanks to this technique, images can be projected onto a surface, creating a unique visual experience. Three-dimensional optical illusions are part of a special form of augmented reality that changes the viewer's perception.
After an afternoon of shopping in the characteristic stores in the center of Intra and Pallanza, be fascinated by the striking light installations scattered in the city's most important squares and streets: in Intra in Piazza Ranzoni, for example, you can admire the installations dedicated to the Aurora of Christmas or the Thousand One Nights while the Pallanza lakefront will be illuminated by the holographic fountain.

In Arona, an important center of lower Lake Maggiore, you can welcome the New Year with New Year's Eve in the square where music and DJ sets will enliven the atmosphere. The New Year's Eve concert “Arona as Vienna” is an unmissable event to start the New Year with elegance and high-quality music. Inspired by the Viennese tradition, the event offers a repertoire of famous waltzes, polkas and operatic arias that will echo in the evocative atmosphere of Arona. A unique musical experience, capable of transporting the audience on an exciting journey through the melodies of the great European tradition, to welcome 2025 with joy and sophistication.

The most daring, ready to brave the winter cold, cannot miss the 19th edition of the “Cimento di Ghiffa,” scheduled for January 6th on the village's picturesque lakefront, just a stone's throw from Verbania. True daredevils will launch themselves into the icy waters of Lake Maggiore, providing entertainment and fun. To make the event even more special, the prize for the most original costume: an unmissable opportunity for those who love to combine courage and creativity!

Christmas 2024 on Lake Orta - markets, New Year's Eve parties in the square and concerts

The small towns on the shores of Lake Orta also come alive during the holidays thanks to numerous Christmas markets, New Year's Eve parties in the square and concerts. Among these events, we would like to point out the New Year's Eve in the Square in Orta San Giulio-the picturesque Piazza Motta will be alive with music and energy, and you can welcome 2025 with the fireworks display that will light up the Lake and the Island of San Giulio.
During the festivities, be sure to treat yourself to a walk through the picturesque village of Legro: the hamlet of Orta San Giulio is also known as the “Painted Village.” For about 20 years, murals dedicated to cinema have been coloring the streets of the locality. On Jan. 5, don't miss the Epiphany concert at the church of Santa Caterina di Legro.

Thanks to the lively initiatives and the magic of Christmas lights, Lake Maggiore and Lake Orta offer evocative atmospheres even during the cold winter days! Would you also like to spend Christmas and welcome the New Year on the shores of the Lake? Contact our Team and discover our exclusive real estate proposals for sale or rent: cozy homes are waiting for you to experience the magic of the Lake even during this fairy-tale period!