Piazza Garibaldi fountain decorated for Christmas in Nicosia

December • Tradition

Barons' Christmas Market

Historic centre dressed for Christmas, artisan stalls, living Nativity in the rock dwellings, traditional crafts market. Free entry, family-friendly.

© Foto territorio Nicosia

Historical archive

Past editions

Browse past editions of Barons' Christmas Market: what happened, who came, what was reported.

Edition202513-14 and 20-21 December 2025

Two pre-Christmas weekends of market and living Nativity in a now-consolidated format. Sixty stalls across Piazza Garibaldi, Piazza Mazzini and the alleys of the historic centre. Living Nativity in the rock dwellings beneath the Castle, with five performance evenings (two per weekend plus an extra on the Immaculate Conception). Steady growth in visitors from Enna, Catania and Caltanissetta.

AttendanceDati di affluenza in fase di consolidamento

Memorable moments

  • 60 craft and gastronomy stalls
  • 5 living Nativity evenings in the rock dwellings
  • Christmas concert by the Nicosia Polyphonic Choir at the Cathedral (free entry)
  • Barons' Christmas Dinner at 24 Baroni: sold out both weekends
Edition202414-15 and 21-22 December 2024

A settling year for the format: definition of the exhibition areas, contingented management of the living Nativity, introduction of the Barons' Christmas Dinner as a paid evening event. Visitor growth of +18% versus 2023.

AttendanceDati di affluenza in fase di consolidamento

Memorable moments

  • Time-slotted entry to the living Nativity
  • First Barons' Christmas Dinner at Birrificio 24 Baroni
Edition202316-17 and 22-23 December 2023

First edition of the Barons' Christmas Market in its current form: two weekends, living Nativity, market spread across the historic centre. The living Nativity was the headline draw, staged in the rock dwellings beneath the rock spur.

AttendanceDati di affluenza in fase di consolidamento

Memorable moments

  • Debut of the living Nativity in the rock dwellings
  • Engagement of the neighbourhood committees

Christmas in the historic centre

The Barons’ Christmas Market turns Nicosia’s historic centre into a human-scale Christmas market: around sixty stalls between Piazza Garibaldi, Piazza Mazzini and the alleys of the centre, spread over two pre-Christmas weekends (typically 16-17 and 22-23 December — dates to confirm).

Prevalent stalls: local crafts (ceramics, textiles, wood), food and wine products (Albereto cheeses, 24 Baroni beer, traditional sweets, cured meats), Christmas gifts inspired by the story of the 24 Barons.

Living Nativity

The main attraction is the living Nativity in the rock dwellings below the Castle: natural scenery, local figures, ~45-minute guided route. One evening per weekend, capacity-controlled, booking recommended.

What to do

  • Free visit to the Barons’ Market.
  • Living Nativity (booking recommended).
  • Christmas concerts in the Cathedral (3-4 evenings, free entry).
  • Barons’ Christmas dinner.

Who it’s for

For families with children of all ages, friend groups, and proximity tourism. Total estimated capacity for the two weekends: ~6,000 visitors.

If snow falls on the Nebrodi the market runs as usual — in fact, with a better view.

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