Christmas programme

Angel's Parade: at 4:30 PM at the historic town centre

Opening of the Christmas market: at 5:00 PM at the Domplatz – Cathedral square

A festive procession of angels, drummers and musicians winds its way through the cobbled streets of the old town to the cathedral square, where the mayor and organisers welcome the guests – accompanied by brass musicians, a children's choir and the traditional cutting of the gingerbread.

When: 6:00-9:00 PM

Where: City Library – 3^rd floor

For whom: Primary, middle and secondary school pupils.

Registration required. biblio(at)brixen.it

Lovingly written Christmas cards – handmade greetings that come from the heart.

When: 4:00-5:00 PM

Where: Fire pit – Christmas market

For whom: Primary school children - Secondary school children.

Registration required: biblio(at)brixen.it

Leni Leitgeb and Christopher Göpfert tell stories for all ages in the run-up to Christmas.

When: 4:00-6:00 PM

Where: Christmas market

The branches of St. Barbara have always been cut and preserved on 4 December. In the warmth of our living rooms, the closed buds of the fruit branches open even in the cold winter months and bloom until Christmas Eve. At the Christmas market, we distribute the branches in exchange for a voluntary donation, which goes to the OEW partner project ‘Vida y esperanza’ for marginalised schoolchildren in Bolivia.

When: 4:00-6:00 PM

Where: City Library – 3^rd floor

For whom: for children aged 4 and above

Registration required: biblio(at)brixen.it

The gift from St. Nicholas is a gift for everyone – a surprise for the whole village. Bilingual reading (Italian + German).

from 5:00 PM

Where: historic town centre

The Krampus appear in the old town centre – scary creatures who punish those who have been naughty. With horns, shaggy fur, bells and rods, they create an eerie yet fascinating atmosphere. Please take care with your clothing; we cannot be held liable for any damage.

When: 10:00 AM-noon

Where: City Library – 3^rd floor

For whom: children >8 years

Bring your leftover candles and we will work together to create abstract candle medallions to hang up or lay down.

When: 11:00 AM-noon

Where: Plose ski resort

Advent also comes alive on the Plose: St. Nicholas visits young skiers directly on the slopes and brings lots of joy. An encounter that combines tradition and fun at lofty heights.

From 4:30 PM

Where: Historic town centre and Christmas market

Ceremonial arrival of Saint Nicholas on Cathedral Square, accompanied by the Brixen Christmas Angels, from Altenmarktgasse along the Großer and Kleiner Graben, through the Sonnentor and through the arcades. Saint Nicholas distributes his gifts on Cathedral Square.

When: 11:00 AM-5:00 PM

Where: Stage at the Christmas market

The apple fritters. Simply juicy and breathtakingly good. They are prepared and sold on stage by the children's charity organisation ‘Kiwanis Club Brixen’. The donations go to needy families in the Eisack Valley.

When: 4:00–5:00 PM

Where: City Library – 3^rd floor

For whom: families & children >8 years. Registration required

Under the guidance of Sophia and Christopher, we craft various Christmas motifs wrapped in birdseed for the cold winter days.

When: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Where: City Library – 3^rd floor

Cool drinks, smoking heads, tricky questions, games, excitement – victory!  In German and Italian.

When: 4:00–6:00 PM

Where: City Library – 3^rd floor

For whom: Primary and secondary school pupils. Registration required.

With skilful hands and a little imagination, the children transform recycled paper into sparkling Christmas decorations – all in the spirit of origami art. The result is a collection of unique items that not only adorn the tree, but also demonstrate how creative sustainability can be.

When: 5:00 PM

Where: Freinademetzkirche Milland

The Regensburger Domspatzen choir, conducted by cathedral music director Christian Heiß and accompanied by baritone Benjamin Appl, will perform works by Michael Praetorius, Samuel Scheidt, Felix Mendelssohn, John Rutter, Josef Schnabel, Engelbert Humperdinck, Max Reger, Peter Cornelius and Gustaf Nordkvist. Tickets are available at www.mytix.bz.

When: 4:00-6:00 PM

Where: City Library – 3^rd floor

A wonderful picture book about friendship that is stronger than any snowstorm. Bilingual reading (Italian + German) for children aged 4 and above. Registration required.

When: 8:30 pm

Where: Theatre Don Bosco

Straight from Florida, the Florida Fellowship Choir brings the vibrant energy of American gospel to Brixen. Founded in 2017 by Corey Edwards, this ensemble of faith, family and fellowship unites singers and musicians from across the Sunshine State. In Brixen, they’ll perform with a smaller line-up – but with all the passion, rhythm and soul that define their sound. A celebration of spirit, joy and the magic of Christmas.

When: 2:00-4:00 PM + 4:00–6:00 PM

Where: City Library – 3^rd floor

For whom: Primary pupils. Registration required.

Baking Christmas cookies together with fair and sustainable products – that sweetens the Christmas season for us! We listen to a fairy tale and then taste the homemade treats.

When: 10:00 AM–noon

Where: City Library – 3^rd floor

We will enjoy an atmospheric vegan brunch together with delicacies from the Weltladen fair trade shop, while learning more about the individual products. Voluntary donations will go to the OEW partner project ‘Vida y esperanza’ in Bolivia. Registration required.

When: 4:00-6:00 PM

Where: City Library – 3^rd floor

For whom: Primary pupils. Registration required.

Each of us consumes an average of ten kilograms of chocolate per year. But what is the raw material behind it? And what are the bitter sides of chocolate? In this workshop, we take an interactive look at the journey from cocoa bean to chocolate bar. Afterwards, we make our own chocolate.

When: 4:00-6:00 PM

Where: City Library - 3^rd floor

For whom: Young people over 14 years of age and adults. Registration required.

Each of us wants to feel good in our own skin. Our largest sensory organ, the skin, deserves to be well cared for; after all, it is the mirror of our soul. In this course, Elisabeth Unterhofer would like to explain simple and natural ways of effective skin care and make some care products. In the spirit of sustainability, only high-quality organic ingredients, regional, if possible, are used. Your skin will thank you for it.

When: 10:00 AM-1:00 PM

Where: Christmas Market and Lauben

Children dressed in chimney sweep costumes distribute lucky charms in exchange for donations.

When: 9:00 PM-2:00 AM

Where: Christmasmarket

Brixen sets new standards for a conscious and emotional start to the new year. Instead of fireworks, guests can expect music, visual highlights and a professionally staged show programme. The cathedral square becomes the stage for a celebration that connects generations: with a family-friendly warm-up, a special midnight moment and a rousing live show. The countdown to the New Year begins at 9 p.m.: DJ ENA provides the perfect soundtrack, while culinary delicacies from the Christmas market stalls ensure enjoyment until the early hours of the morning. Celebrating together – sustainably, safely and unforgettably.

When: 4:00–6:00 PM

Where: City Library – 3^rd floor

Bring beautiful and clean second-hand clothing and accessories and swap them. If you don't have any clothes to swap, you can simply take something with you in exchange for a voluntary donation to the OEW partner project ‘Vida y esperanza’ in Bolivia.

When: 5:00 PM

Where: historic town centre and Christmas market

Christmas in Brixen ends with the arrival of the long-awaited Befana on the cathedral square, followed by the Three Kings and a procession with over sixty costumed performers.