Along the streets of the city center, the Christmas lights are starting to shine, and Christmas market stalls are beginning to appear: December is above all the month of Holidays, and certainly in Liguria there’s no shortage of opportunities to celebrate with friends and family. Let’s see what are the most important events in the coming weeks: what to do in Genoa and Liguria in December 2023?
What to do in Genoa in December 2023: main events
San Nicola Market, from December 1st to 23rd: in Genoa, it’s not Christmas without the famous San Nicola Market in Piazza Piccapietra. Now in its 34th edition, this market is the only one of its kind in Italy organized by a non-profit organization, bringing together artisans, master craftsmen, and prominent figures of Genoese culinary tradition in one of the city’s main squares.
Faber’s Old City, December 2nd, 8th, and 30th: music, flavors, and stories of Fabrizio De André’s Genoa, with 3 free events in December to visit the most significant places in Genoa’s Historic Center as narrated in Faber’s songs, including tastings of local products.
Magolandia, December 8th: Palazzo della Torre hosts an event dedicated to families, children, and enthusiasts of stories set in magical and enchanted worlds. Participants will have the opportunity to become a wizard for a few hours, with lessons in spells and magic formulas.
Rolli Experience, on weekends: during the weekends between December 8-10, December 15-17, December 30-January 1, and January 5-7, visitors can discover the Rolli Palaces in their splendor, accessing these magnificent noble residences.
The Shape of Wind, until January 28th: there’s still time until the end of January to discover the exhibition “The Shape of Wind – Gliding and the Art of Kites in Japanese Tradition” at Castello d’Albertis. It’s an interesting exhibition dedicated to the millennial history of gliding and the Japanese art of kite-making (used variously for sowing rituals, deep-sea fishing, ceremonies, and in battle).
Amphibia: at the Giacomo Doria Natural History Museum, an exhibition dedicated to amphibians and their surprising life. Toads, frogs, salamanders – a selection of live animals to showcase the uniqueness of amphibians and the threats that are endangering them.
Artemisia Gentileschi, Courage and Passion: the exhibition dedicated to the artistic genius of Artemisia Gentileschi will be open until spring 2024 at the Palazzo Ducale in Genoa. Here, some of the most important masterpieces by one of the most significant and beloved artists of all time are on display. 
Events in Liguria for December 2023
Sanremo Marathon, December 3rd: in Liguria, marathons are run even in December, along the spectacular seaside route that winds from the Sanremo Casino along the Riviera dei Fiori.
Blu/Blue, La Spezia: the CAMec in La Spezia is painted blue (the blue of the sky, the blue of the sea, cobalt blue, Egyptian blue, and so on) bringing before visitors’ eyes 37 works based on this color, from paintings by Magritte and Max Ernst to Derek Jarman’s film “Blue”.
Christmas Markets in Liguria: we conclude the list of December 2023 events in Liguria with some suggestions for Christmas Markets in the region. Must-visit destinations include Loano, Ronco Scrivia (in the Villavecchia district), and Santo Stefano d’Aveto.
