Winter culture in Trentino: making memories to last a lifetime
There’s more to Trentino than just skiing. Beyond the slopes, you can truly get to know the local community and experience rich traditions and mountain culture. There's so much to do that will create unforgettable memories, especially at Christmas and into the new year. Step into the magic of Trentino and come and see it for yourself.
Christmas Markets: Keeping Trentino's Traditions Alive!
Advent in Trentino is a feast for the senses, with the region coming alive with an enchanting array of lights, sounds, and smells. The crisp winter air is filled with the delightful aroma of roasted chestnuts, hot chocolate, and steaming mulled wine, creating a truly magical atmosphere. This year, as always, the Christmas markets will host a month-long series of events, bringing the festive spirit to life. Explore the festivities from Trento to Rovereto, Arco, Riva del Garda, Pergine Valsugana, and Levico Terme.
Discover dreamy hidden secrets
Even more magical are the ‘secret’ markets set up in small mountain villages. Intimate and timeless, nestled among old courtyards, arcades, and ‘caneve’ (ancient cellars) where rural traditions are alive and well. These are not the markets you’ll see in brochures or guide books, but smaller ones, hidden in secluded spots where carols, lights, and Christmas aromas fill narrow alleys and vaulted porticoes.
These Christmas Markets are brought to life in unique settings such as ancient castles, medieval hamlets, and historic districts that have been preserved through time. Perfect to experience a more intimate Christmas atmosphere, away from the crowds.
Info: visittrentino.info – Villages Christmas Markets
Manger masterpieces: nativity scenes in Trentino:
In Trentino, the cherished Italian tradition of the nativity scene is deeply intertwined with the region's rich wood craftsmanship. Every Christmas, those lovely wooden figurines make windows, stables, and village squares look even more beautiful. In some communities, live nativity plays take place where everything is real… even the sheep!
Info: visittrentino.info – Nativity Scenes
Centre stage: Alpine carnivals in Trentino:
Trentino's valleys burst into life with vibrant carnival traditions, offering visitors a colourful spectacle of music and celebration. Across charming villages and towns, age-old customs are revived in a flurry of confetti and streamers.
Check out cool winter events like the Ladin Carnival in Val di Fassa, where you'll see amazing hand-carved wooden masks. You can also experience ancient rituals, like watching the burning of the Pine of Grauno in Val di Cembra, or even join in the folkloric dances of the Matoci Carnival in Valfloriana. And don't miss the Mocheno Carnival in Valle del Fersina – it's full of unique characters and traditions. And for food lovers, there’s plenty of local delicacies to tickle your taste buds!
Info: visittrentino.info – Carnival
Chilled igloo festivals in Trentino: Where ice meets music
From January 10 to April 4 2026, the Parad-ice Music Festival presents a series of pop and rock concerts performed with ice instruments inside a giant igloo-shaped concert hall on the Presena Glacier.
An extraordinary, not-to-be-missed experience: an orchestra performing at 2,600 meters with instruments - bass, cello, guitars, and percussion - entirely crafted from ice.
Once again hosted by the Presena Glacier, between Trentino and Lombardy, and accessible via the Paradiso cable car from Passo Tonale (tickets for both lifts and concerts available online or at the valley ticket office), the festival offers events every Thursday and Saturday.
A diverse group of musicians, known as The Parad-ice Band, leads audiences on a journey through this unique musical landscape.
Every Thursday the band performs a new themed program with ice instruments. The igloo’s design allows warm air from the audience’s breath to be naturally ventilated upwards and outside, keeping the instruments at the necessary cold temperature to make music. Crafted by artists Lino Mosconi, Giorgio Tomaselli, and Matteo Aielli, the instruments remain in perfect condition for every performance.
Info: visitvaldisole.it – Paradice Music
Dolomiti Ski Jazz 2026: Where the slopes meet soulful sounds
Get ready for nine days of rhythm and fun at Dolomiti Ski Jazz! Enjoy jazz, funk and soul in Val di Fiemme and Val di Fassa, all set against a beautiful snowy backdrop. This cool event mixes great music with stunning winter views.
From March 6-15 2026, you can catch high-altitude concerts right on the slopes or enjoy shows in various venues down in the valleys. It's going to be a unique experience!
Dolomiti Food Jazz, a gourmet showcase, complements the festival by offering culinary delights in mountain huts and restaurants. These delicious performances feature local cheeses, wines, and craft beer.
Info: visitfiemme.it | fassa.com
Where Art Thrives: Trentino's creative spirit
Outdoors – Arte Sella: in harmony with nature
Arte Sella in Valsugana offers a captivating experience year-round, but it is particularly enchanting in winter. During this season, the open-air contemporary art trail transforms as artworks, crafted from natural materials, merge seamlessly with the wintry landscape. This creates a profound dialogue between art and nature, with the snow altering the appearance of the installations and providing a more intimate perspective.
The Vegetal Cathedral, for example, becomes an especially striking feature in the cold. A walk through these installations is a journey of reflection and beauty, making each moment truly memorable.
Info: artesella.it
Indoors - MART Modern and Contemporary Museum
Until March 1 2026, the MART museum presents the largest retrospective exhibition dedicated to Eugene Berman (St. Petersburg 1899 – Rome 1972). Painter, set designer, illustrator, and travel photographer, Berman was a key figure of neo-romantic art in the 20th century. Curated by Vittorio Sgarbi and Elisabetta Scungio, the exhibition is a chronological and thematic journey through more than 100 paintings, accompanied by drawings, photographs, documents, as well as archaeological finds and rare objects.
MART exhibits a diverse collection of Berman's work, including his paintings and stage designs for prominent international theatres. The exhibition also features archival materials such as travel notes, photographs, catalogues, and collaborations with Vogue America, all of which underscore his versatility. The result is a visual diary suspended between reality and vision, connecting the 20th-century experience with classical and Renaissance traditions.
Info: mart.tn.it
MUSE Science Museum
The MUSE museum's 'Big Void' space, designed by Renzo Piano, is currently hosting a site-specific installation focused on glaciers. This exhibition, featuring photographs by the late Sebastião Salgado taken in Canada’s Kluane Park, will be on display until January 11 2026.
Also on glaciers, the museum’s Agora space presents From Ice to Us (until January 11, 2026), an exhibition highlighting MUSE’s innovative research in glacial and periglacial environments, aimed at raising awareness about glacier fragility and their role as indicators of global climate change.
Running until January 11 2026, Food Sound - The Hidden Sound of Food is an immersive exhibition inviting visitors to experience the connection between taste and sound. Wearing special headphones, visitors explore how the brain perceives and responds to food stimuli through sound.
Info: muse.it
Trentino your way - get the App!
Mio Trentino is the official app for an authentic Trentino experience. It offers immediate trip inspiration, including recommendations for attractions and activities, plus up-to-date information on openings and events. Consider it your personal trip-planning assistant, offering tailored suggestions and ready to answer all your questions.
Please click here for images.
About Trentino:
The beautiful region of Trentino is located in the North-East of Italy, in the heart of the Italian Alps, nestling between Lake Garda and the Dolomites. It's also within reach of the vibrant and stylish cities of Verona, Venice and Milan.
Trentino is famous for its natural landscapes, its impressive mountains, its green valleys and its lakes - there are 297 of them in total. This makes it an ideal year-round destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
Winter offers over 800 kilometers of ski slopes, while summer beckons visitors to the shores of Lake Garda and the numerous trails perfect for hiking, mountain biking, and climbing in the mountains, while autumn provides a delightful experience with its vineyards and charming towns and villages. Truly, Trentino is an Italian destination for every season.
For more information on Trentino click here
