Locarno Christmas Market 2026
8 December 2026 · Main lanes of the Città Vecchia, the old town of Locarno · Free entry
The Mercato di Natale in Città Vecchia takes place on Tuesday 8 December 2026, the public holiday of the Immaculate Conception, from 10:00 to 21:00 in the main lanes of the old town. It is organised by the association Pro Città Vecchia, which celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2026 and counts the market among the most important in Ticino. On the neighbouring Piazza Grande, Winterland with an ice rink and light projections runs from 19 November 2026 to 6 January 2027, but there are no market stalls there.
At a glance
- Dates
- 8 Dec
- Location
- Main lanes of the Città Vecchia, the old town of Locarno
- Entry
- free
What to expect
Dates and opening hours 2026
Mercato di Natale in Città Vecchia
Main lanes of the Città Vecchia, the old town of Locarno
On a single day the main lanes of the Città Vecchia fill with stalls: crafts, Christmas decorations and gift ideas, plus raclette, minestrone and sweets. The association Pro Città Vecchia counts the market among the most important in Ticino; a jury awards prizes to the three most original stalls.
Opening hours
Tuesday 8 December 2026 only (public holiday of the Immaculate Conception)
Source: Pro Città Vecchia Locarno, checked on 20 October 2026
Christmas in Locarno
Winterland Ascona-Locarno (Piazza Grande)
19 November 2026 to 6 January 2027 on Piazza Grande: ice rink, light projections, fondue chalet, carousel and, new this year, the Casa di Babbo Natale with a Christmas shop. Not a market with sales stalls.
Source: Ticino Turismo, checked on 18 October 2026Mercatino di Natale Solduno
Neighbourhood market on Piazza Solduno (a district of Locarno): Sunday 13 December 2026, 11:00–18:00.
Source: Ticino Turismo / Ascona-Locarno Tourism, checked on 18 October 2026
Good to know
Only one day
The market is open only on Tuesday 8 December, 10:00–21:00. The day is a public holiday in Ticino.
White Sunday on 29 November
Sunday shopping in the old town; from 16:30 tree lighting on Piazza Sant'Antonio with Christmas carols, mulled wine and panettone free of charge.
Panettonata on 23 December
Pro Città Vecchia serves vin brûlé, pomme brûlé and panettone on Piazza Sant'Antonio.
Without a car
It is about 10 minutes on foot from Locarno station across Piazza Grande. There is no parking in the market lanes.
How to get there
- From Locarno station on foot across Piazza Grande: about 10 minutes to Via Cittadella, 15 minutes to Piazza Sant'Antonio. There is no parking in the market lanes; car parks include the Autosilo Piazza Castello and the Autosilo Centro.