Christmas markets in Umbria: Perugia, Gubbio and Lake Trasimeno

When are the Christmas markets in Umbria?

Usually from late November to Epiphany, but every town has its own calendar. In Perugia the 2025/26 edition ran from 29 November to 6 January; in Gubbio the markets open from late November and the tree is traditionally lit on 7 December; in Castiglione del Lago, “Luci sul Trasimeno” 2026/27 is scheduled from 5 December 2026 to 6 January 2027. For Perugia and Gubbio the 2026 dates had not yet been published when we wrote this guide: check the official websites before you go.

What can you see at Christmas in Perugia?

In the 2025/26 edition, “Perugia, un Natale insieme”, the historic centre was filled with lights and artists' installations, including works by Mimmo Paladino. The markets, with crafts, food specialities and gift ideas, ran along Corso Vannucci and between Corso Vannucci and the Rocca Paolina; the Cassero and the terrace of the former Mercato Coperto hosted videomapping and light displays, alongside the trees in Piazza della Repubblica and Piazza Matteotti, shows and children's activities.

The programme changes every year: for the 2026 edition, check the region's official tourism website, Umbria Tourism. Perugia is 21.0 km from La Mora, about 23 minutes by car. If you come in November, Eurochocolate is also on in the city from 13 to 22 November 2026: we cover it in a dedicated guide.

Where is the world's largest Christmas tree?

In Gubbio. Since 1981, on the slopes of Monte Ingino above the town, more than 300 lights have drawn a tree 750 metres high with a 450-metre base; in 1991 the Gubbio Christmas tree entered the Guinness World Records as the largest in the world. It is traditionally lit on 7 December, the eve of the Immaculate Conception, and stays lit every evening until late at night: in the 2025/26 edition, according to Umbria Tourism, from 7 December to 11 January, from 17:00.

From late November the large Piazza dei Quaranta Martiri hosts the Christmas markets, with Tyrolean-style stalls selling crafts, decorations and food specialities. Gubbio is 54.7 km from La Mora, about 42 minutes by car along the SS318.

What is the Christmas tree on Lake Trasimeno like?

At Castiglione del Lago, since 2019, lights have drawn a Christmas tree on the water of Lake Trasimeno: 1,080 metres long and 50 metres wide, with 2,400 perimeter lights powered by renewable energy. It is the heart of “Luci sul Trasimeno”, which in 2026/27 is open every day from 5 December to 6 January, from 17:00 to 23:00. According to the organisers, the tree can only be seen in its proper proportions from the paid “Percorso dell'Albero” (Tree Path), below the walls of the Rocca del Leone.

Tickets, parking and what else is on: it's all in our guide to the Christmas tree on Lake Trasimeno. Castiglione del Lago is 64.3 km from La Mora, about 50 minutes.

Where can you see a living nativity in Umbria?

In Rasiglia, the “village of streams” in the municipality of Foligno, the living nativity “Rasiglia, Paese presepe” takes place on 26 December and 6 January. Rasiglia is 36.5 km from La Mora, about 37 minutes: our dedicated guide explains how to visit.

For Christmas in Assisi, a few minutes from La Mora, the events calendar is on the town's official tourism website, visit-assisi.it.

How to plan a weekend of Christmas markets and lights?

• Friday evening: Perugia, 23 minutes away, for the lights and the markets in the centre.
• Saturday: Gubbio, with the markets in Piazza dei Quaranta Martiri and, once it's dark, the tree lit up on Monte Ingino.
• Sunday: Castiglione del Lago for the tree on Lake Trasimeno, open from 17:00.
• If you're in Umbria on 26 December or 6 January: the living nativity of Rasiglia.

Where to stay for the Christmas markets in Umbria?

Agriturismo La Mora is at Via Fonte Citerna 7, in the countryside outside Assisi: Perugia is 21.0 km away, Rasiglia 36.5 km, Gubbio 54.7 km and Castiglione del Lago 64.3 km. Its five independent apartments have a fully equipped kitchen, Wi-Fi and air conditioning, with free parking on site: after the markets, you come back to the countryside for the night.