December in Sorrento: the guide

Looking for things to do in Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast in December?

Here you will find a guide to festive events, Christmas markets, local food and day tours.

We will add more details for December in Sorrento when they become available, so keep checking back.

If you’ve planned your stay in Sorrento and still haven’t decided what to do, here are 10 reasons why it’s worth spending the December holidays on the Amalfi Coast and Naples, in these magical places.

You will find the complete programme of events and some suggestions for making the most of your holiday.

From Christmas decorations to food, from concerts to day tours, the Sorrento Coast is one of Europe’s top destinations to spend the December holidays in.

LIGHTS AND CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS

Sorrento is decked out in lights in December and attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world to admire its beauty. Here are some of the most beautiful Christmas lights not to be missed during your stay in Sorrento in December:

Piazza Tasso – the main square, is the starting point to admire the large Christmas tree in the centre, one of the main attractions.

Piazza Sant’Antonino – the small square, decorated with lights and statues.

Centro Storico – – a leap into the old town through traditional shops, enveloping scents and characteristic alleys.

Corso Italia – the main shopping street.

Piazza Angelina Lauro – Christmas shopping, events and Father Christmas Village.

GUIDE TO FESTIVE EVENTS, FOOD, CONCERTS

Christmas in Sorrento is synonymous with tradition, and we in southern Italy know something about that. At the beginning of December there is a cosy, warm atmosphere and the whole town seems to become a little merry-go-round.

From the tree in Piazza Tasso to the Christmas lights and decorations all around, from the pleasant strolls along Corso Italia to the Tombola evening in the historic centre. The air is crisp and enchanting and it is impossible to miss the numerous events taking place along the streets of Sorrento: from the Christmas markets to the fried pizza party organised by Gigino sotto l’Arco (a local slang used to indicate that Gigino’s pizzeria is located in a characteristic street under an arch), from Ciuccio di Fuoco to fireworks, from visiting nativity scenes in the churches of Sorrento to the live Christmas cribs in the nearby town of Casarlano; concerts, Christmas choirs, art exhibitions and the Christmas villages for the little ones.

NATIVITY SCENE ROUTE

Art lovers cannot miss the unique experience of the Neapolitan nativity scene itinerary, one of the most deeply rooted traditions in the Neapolitan culture; starting from Sedil Dominova to the Basilica of Sant’Antonino, then to the Church of the Annunziata, located in Piazza Andrea Veniero, to the Church of the Servi di Maria in Via Sersale.

Don’t miss a visit to the Cuomo’s Lucky Store’s private nativity scene and to the Gambardella delicatessen in Corso Italia, famous old shops in Sorrento that prepare a Neapolitan nativity scene and have now become a fixed stop for lovers of tradition.

SANTA CLAUS VILLAGES

Families with children will have plenty to do and see. The main attraction for the little ones is the Village, set up in Piazza Sant’Antonino, and the Father Christmas Village in the Villa Fiorentino Storica: these two have been a meeting point for families and children for some years now.

GASTRONOMIC EVENTS AND STREET FOOD MARKETS

Christmas and food are the perfect combination and Sorrento dedicates several events to this. In addition to the Christmas markets and pastry shops offering zeppole and traditional sweets, the most anticipated events are:

• Sorrento Street Food Village, dedicated to made-in-Italy street food, where you can try everything from the classic Pizza a Portafogli to the roast, from fried cooks to local Panini, from meatballs to sfogliatelle and Sicilian cannoli.

• ‘Santa Lucia’, for the feast day of 13 December, embers are gathered for the sausage and pork festival, which, together with songs and music, brightens up the festivities in the Santa Lucia district.

• ‘Tiemp bell e na vot’, the not-to-be-missed event in the old town at the pizzeria da Gigino: Neapolitan folk music, tons of fried pizzas and litres of beer to celebrate Christmas Eve together and toast to merriment.

• ‘Christmas Eve Dinner and Christmas Lunch’ will be hosted by numerous restaurants and hotels whose menus hardly deviate from the traditional schemes; the menu on Christmas Eve is basically fish-based, while lunch on 25 December is meat and vegetable-based: from tortellini to cannelloni and baked pasta.

• ‘E “asciut pazz o” padron’, by Pizzeria da Michele.

DECEMBER CONCERTS AND MUSICAL EVENTS

From Jazz to Neapolitan folk and popular music, from Christmas choirs to classical music, to bands and folk groups that bring joy to the streets and squares of Sorrento.

A varied program of concerts in Sorrento, organized on the occasion of the Christmas holidays, which enriches the artistic and cultural program of the Sorrento Peninsula.

Among the events not to be missed are the Christmas Concert on December 25, at the Church of the Annunziata and the End of Year Concert that will be held on Monday, December 31, at the Teatro Tasso.

NEW YEAR’S EVE: DINNER, FIREWORKS AND PARTIES

Toasts, music and entertainment. It starts in the morning with a New Year’s concert organized at the Teatro Tasso, followed by toasts and laughter in one of the many bars and brunches open in the city. At 6:00 pm we meet in Piazza Tasso for the “ciuccio di fuoco”, an ancient local tradition to say goodbye to the year just gone by and welcome the new one with hope.

It is then time to get ready for dinner in one of the many restaurants or hotels that organize dinner-shows and immediately after the midnight toast, the party begins again in the main square with fireworks, music, dancing and lots of people.

THE LIVING NATIVITY SCENE, A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE

From the end of December to the first weeks of January, the Living Nativity Scene that takes place in the nearby town of Casarlano, organized by its parish community, reaches its eleventh edition. An evocative experience that starts from the olive and lemon groves and continues towards the ancient “Holy Land”, located under the church, where the village is set up with magnificent chestnut structures and tuff and stone walls, built by passionate masters and craftsmen. Three hundred people will be dressed in period costumes; a free shuttle service from Sorrento is planned.

DAY TOUR IN NAPLES AT CHRISTMAS

It is difficult to describe Naples in a sentence in itself, let alone at Christmas that an entire book would not be enough. Naples at Christmas is an explosion of feelings: music, vitality, traditions and scents make it one of the most fascinating cities in Italy; from San Gregorio Armeno, the street of nativity scenes made by famous Neapolitan artisans, to the Historic Center, between Via del Duomo and Spaccanapoli. Click below for more information, tips, map and suggested tours of Naples from Sorrento to explore and experience Naples at its best during the Christmas holidays.

DAILY TOURS OF THE AMALFI COAST, POMPEI AND CAPRI IN DECEMBER

During December, the weather in Sorrento starts to get cooler, but considering that the chances of rain are less than in November, it is always worth taking a trip to the beautiful sites that surround the Sorrento Coast.

The Amalfi Coast, this is a must-see when visiting Sorrento, with its breathtaking views, charming villages and breathtaking landscapes. Consider taking an Amalfi Coast tour from Sorrento

Pompeii Tour from Sorrento. The ruins of Pompeii, buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius on August 24, 79 AD.

The island of Capri can be visited from Sorrento if the sea and weather conditions allow it.