The calendar of Christmas events that will enliven the districts of Finale throughout December, until Epiphany, has been presented, including museum tours, events for children and families, concerts and the New Year’s Eve fireworks display.

Finale Ligure, 29 November 2022 – In Finale Ligure, everything is almost ready for a month of Christmas events that will involve residents and visitors alike during the upcoming festive season: until Epiphany, the main districts of Finale will be decked out in sustainable decorations and brought to life by a packed programme of events.

The Christmas atmosphere will be created by decorations made with green trees not cut down in Finalmarina, garlands, jute sacks full of gifts and large board games in the streets and squares of Finalborgo, which will be transformed into an ‘Elves’ Village’, the decorations and wooden huts of a real ‘Christmas Village’ in Finalpia and the charm of the Saracen village of Varigotti.

‘At a particularly delicate time, when the energy crisis is having a severe impact on families, local authorities and the country as a whole, we have made a courageous, ethical and balanced choice, focusing on a Christmas without waste, in the name of sustainability and the most authentic dimension of gathering and shared celebration,’ explains Ugo Frascherelli, Mayor of Finale Ligure.

‘We have focused our efforts on events, to offer citizens and tourists the opportunity to get together and celebrate, regaining that sense of community and closeness that we need now more than ever,’ continues Clara Brichetto, Councillor for Tourism and Culture of the Municipality of Finale Ligure. ‘The districts of Finale will thus be constantly enlivened by many events, which come to life thanks to the valuable work of local associations and which will engage audiences of all ages in a widespread celebration with something for everyone.’

The celebrations will officially kick off on Thursday, 8 December, with the inauguration of Santa Claus’ House in Finalpia (3 p.m.), the lighting of the traditional Christmas tree in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele in Finalmarina (5 p.m.) and the opening of the ‘Christmas around the world’ museum exhibition at the Teatro delle Udienze in Finalborgo.

Among the main events in the run-up to Christmas: entertainment with Father Christmas, elves, reindeer and stilt walkers, educational workshops for children, street food with sweets, focaccia, roasted chestnuts, hot chocolate and other Christmas specialities, music with DJ sets and concerts that will entertain visitors to Santa Claus Village in Finalpia, organised by the I Garosci de’ Pia association, in collaboration with the Baba Jaga association, local traders, associations and tourist offices.

Thanks to the Centro Storico del Finale association, together with other local associations such as ‘I Vegi du Burgu’ and Finalborgo.it, Finalborgo becomes the ‘Borgo degli Elfi’ (Elves’ Village) and offers many initiatives, including: the Elves’ barter, to exchange toys and have a snack together (Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 December, 3–6 pm); a show with harps and dancers with luminous wings (Sunday 9 December, 3pm-6pm); costume adventures organised by the San Giorgio e il drago theatre company (Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 December, 3pm-6pm); The elves of the village, a tour for children led by the young people of the Centro Storico del Finale (Saturday 24 December, 3pm-6pm); a show featuring luminous stilt walkers (Monday 26 December, 3pm-6pm). There will also be many musical events, including the Gospel Choir at the Auditorium di Santa Caterina, organised by the Filarmonica di Finalborgo and the Accademia Musicale del Finale (23 December, 6pm) and the “Joyful Gospel Singers” concert from New Orleans, in the Basilica di San Biagio, organised by the Circolo Raindogs House (26 December, 9.15pm). From Thursday 8 December 2022 to Friday 6 January 2023, the Teatro delle Udienze will also host special museum tours, organised by Baba Jaga, dedicated to Christmas around the world.

Christmas in Varigotti is celebrated under the auspices of the Varigotti Insieme Association with a Santa Claus from the Sea, organised by Baba Jaga, in Piazza del Molo and Piazza Cappello del Prete, with entertainment, Christmas-themed workshops and refreshments with focaccia (Friday 23 December, 3 pm); a stand-up comedy show with Daniele Raco (28 December, 9 pm) and a classical guitar concert by maestro Riccardo Pampararo (29 December, 9 pm) at the Oratory of the Parish of Sant’Antonio in Varigotti; a musical journey through famous soundtracks from modern cinema, at the Centro Civico Fontana in collaboration with the Accademia Musicale del Finale (30 December, 9 pm).

Finale Ligure will then welcome in the New Year with a concert by the Band Explosion in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele in Finalmarina (31 December, from 10 pm), followed by fireworks over the sea and a New Year’s Concert by the BRG Orchestra at the Auditorium di Santa Caterina in Finalborgo (1 January, 11 am).

To celebrate Epiphany on Friday 6 January, there are several events to choose from: in Finalborgo, the museum tour ‘Baba tombola!’ at the Teatro delle Udienze (3.30pm – 6.30pm); in Varigotti, the Befana excursion in Varigotti, to discover the most scenic spots with Varigotti Insieme (10 a.m.) and the Befana with circus entertainment and snacks in Piazza del Molo and Piazza Cappello del Prete (3 p.m.); in Finalpia, Find the Befana and disco, with street food, games for children searching for the Befana’s hiding place with clues and skill tests, entertainment and DJ sets, as well as Vintage Carousels in Piazza Oberdan (from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.), ending on Saturday 7 January with the Befana Barter, SWAP organised by Sfuso Diffuso (3 p.m. to 7 p.m.).

The complete and constantly updated calendar of Christmas events in Finale Ligure will be available online at https://visitfinaleligure.it/tutti-gli-eventi/.

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For press information
Paola Iacona – Mobile 349 5345983 – press@visitfinaleligure.it
DE.DE Communications Department press@destinationdesign.it Tel. 019 2054914
Tourist Office – City of Finale Ligure – www.comunefinaleligure.it Tel. 019-6890282