With the start of school holidays, the busiest period of the Christmas holidays comes to life in Lugano. The heart of the city transforms into a sprawling stage, accompanying residents and visitors from Christmas to Epiphany, combining family-friendly activities, cultural initiatives, musical entertainment, and institutional events.
The billboard of Christmas in the center of Lugano It unfolds between Piazza della Riforma, Ciani Park, the lakeside, and the main streets of the center, where markets, food stalls, light installations, and traditional events mark the rhythm of the festive weeks until January 6th.
A lively center with stalls and installations
The heart of the Christmas atmosphere remains Christmas in the Square, which enlivens the city center with stalls and food stalls. Light projections on historic buildings, especially visible in Piazza della Riforma, help redefine the city's evening appearance, while on the lakefront, as darkness falls, the submerged Nativity scene once again lights up in the waters of Lake Ceresio, becoming one of the city's most visually arresting attractions.
From December 26th to January 6th, the stalls will be concentrated in Piazza Manzoni, keeping the market alive even after the main holidays. All updated details on events are available at nataleinpiazza.ch.
Ciani Park, with its ice and family-friendly games
In Ciani Park, the Ice Village, with its ice skating rink and mini-golf course, continues to be one of the most popular attractions, especially for families. The area remains open with extended hours during the holidays, weather permitting, offering a green recreation area even on public holidays.
At Asilo Ciani, starting December 23rd, the Family Village will be open for Christmas. Admission is free, and the initiative is designed to welcome the littlest ones into a space dedicated to play and entertainment, open daily, with some exceptions on holidays.
New Year's Eve in Piazza della Riforma
The transition to the new year focuses attention on Piazza della Riforma. Following the live radio broadcasts from the RSI Chalet, scheduled until late afternoon on December 24th, New Year's Eve becomes the highlight of Christmas in downtown Lugano.
Leading the way to midnight will be DJ Griso and DJ Sterky from Rete Tre, who have already hosted summer events along the lakefront. The evening will also be covered on television, with the program "Aspettando mezzanotte" airing on RSI LA1, confirming the square's central role as a symbolic location for the celebration.
Music at the LAC between gospel and symphonic tradition
The holidays also feature in the LAC's cultural program. On Tuesday, December 23rd, the Spirit of New Orleans Gospel Choir, a group composed of musicians from Louisiana Baptist churches, will perform two performances during the evening. Advance tickets are available online at luganolac.ch.
On December 31st at 6:00 PM, one of the most established events returns: the Orchestra della Svizzera italiana's New Year's Eve Concert. This year, the ensemble will be conducted by American maestro Robert Treviño, in a program inspired by Viennese atmospheres, with references to Strauss, Rossini, and Offenbach.
New Year's Eve: The Official Ceremony at the Palazzo dei Congressi
The first day of the year is reserved for institutional celebrations. On Thursday, January 1st, at 11:00 a.m., the City Hall invites the public to the traditional New Year's Eve ceremony. The procession will depart from Piazza della Riforma and head to the Palazzo dei Congressi, where the official ceremony will take place.
Following Mayor Michele Foletti's greetings to the city's members, the Civic Philharmonic will perform. The ceremony will continue in the amphitheater with speeches by the mayor and a surprise guest, accompanied by artistic and musical performances. The event will also be accessible thanks to the presence of a sign language interpreter and will conclude with the traditional refreshments provided by the City.
Epiphany and the arrival of the Three Kings
They will parade on horseback from the mouth of the Cassarate River through Ciani Park, stopping in Piazza della Riforma before continuing toward Sorengo. Hot drinks and mandarins will be distributed at the end of the parade.
Roads, transport and safety
Traffic restrictions will apply for New Year's Eve, with the lakefront closed to traffic between 23:30 PM and 6:00 AM, and restrictions in central areas. Public transportation will be enhanced with a free night service and extended bus and funicular service.
On the safety front, the ban on the use of fireworks and objects classified as weapons remains in effect, as do the provisions of the municipal ordinance regarding noise control. The city center will be monitored under video surveillance.
Useful Information
The complete programme of Christmas events in the centre of Lugano can be found on nataleinpiazza.ch e luganoeventi.ch.
Further information is also available on the institutional website www.lugano.ch or by contacting the Events and Congress Division of the City of Lugano at events@lugano.ch.
