Magic Christmas Experience Castle

From Saturday 30th November to the end of December 2024, the most beautiful castles of the Magic Christmas Experience will return to the Castles of the Ducato circuit, in fortresses, castles, manor houses and historic villages that host and organise initiatives with growing public success. Here is a preview of the events, to which we can add the classic guided tours of the Castelli del Ducato open to the public: for opening hours and days, write to info@castellidelducato.it and indicate which castles you wish to visit.

Feast of the Immaculate Conception (8 December):

• Fidenza (PR) | Exhibition: Vision - Collettiva dei Fotografi del Borgo. Inauguration Friday 6 December 2024, 4 p.m., Sala Mostre, via Costa 18. From 6 December to Sunday 22 December 2024. Opening hours Friday from 5 to 8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to midday and from 4 to 8 p.m. Free admission.
• Fidenza (PR) | Waiting for Santa Lucia...Hush, Hush, be quiet, the Saint comes with gifts. Saturday 7 December 2024 at 4 p.m., Piazza Garibaldi and streets of the historic centre with the collaboration of Associazione Asino che Vola and Studio Danza Fidenza. 5.00 p.m. Piazza Garibaldi and historic centre Lumières et décorations de Noel, Lighting of the Christmas Tree and illuminations, Concert by the UniTre Fidenza Chorale.
• Castello di Scipione dei Marchesi Pallavicino (PR) | The Magic of Christmas and the Holidays in the Enchanted Castle... Festively decorated, with a large lit fireplace, a tree twinkling with thousand of lights and a table laid, the Millenary Castle welcomes young and old alike to the warm and enchanted atmosphere of Christmas, amidst the scents of spices and pine, musical notes, lit candles and games under the tree. Saturday 7 and Sunday 8, Sunday 15 and Sunday 29 December 2024.
• Salsomaggiore Terme (PR) | Magic of Christmas in Salsomaggiore Terme - Concerts, Shows, Lighting of the Lights and the Christmas Tree. Saturday 7 December 2024, 9 p.m. Traditional concert by the Band of Salsomaggiore, Palazzo dei Congressi - Sala Europa. Free admission. Sunday 8 December 2024, 3 p.m. children's show and 5 p.m. lighting of illuminations.
• Rocca and Castello di Agazzano (PC) | Note d'Inverno - An afternoon in harmony between history, music and nature. With Christmas snack and guided tours of Villa Anguissola Scotti Gonzaga, Sunday 8 December 2024. 3 p.m.: start of guided tours of the gardens, the fortress and Villa Anguissola Scotti Gonzaga, the castle will open its doors to visitors for the entire afternoon. Starting at 4 p.m., the event will continue with musical performances by the Corpo Bandistico Carlo Vignola. A typical Christmas snack will be organised in the spaces of the suggestive courtyard inside the fortress, for a sweet note of taste... amidst the notes of winter. No booking is required for guided tours. Admission to the concert is free. 
• Rocca Sanvitale di Fontanellato (PR) | Father Christmas and his friends on the Castle - Christmas-themed animated visit to the Rocca di Fontanellato. Sunday 8 December 2024 at 3.30 p.m. All day from 8.30 a.m. to 6 p.m. in front of the castle Christmas-themed "Rocca e Natura" exhibition. Father Christmas of fireplaces and sweet candies knows all about it! It will be the beloved fantasy character who fills hearts with smiles and joy, the surprise that children and families will find in Rocca Sanvitale in Fontanellato during the guided tour. 
• Corte e Borgo del Castello di Varano De' Melegari (PR) | Christmas Market with Vin brûlé degli Alpini, Frittelle e Cioccolata. Sunday 8 December 2024, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. 4.30 p.m. concert Le Voci di Natale @cooptuttiperuno. 5.30 p.m. Torchlight procession with lighting of the Christmas Corners along the streets of the village - Almaren Education Territory. With the collaboration of Fondazione Caterina Dallara. Free admission to the market.
• Palazzo Farnese - Cittadella Viscontea (PC) | Musei Civici di Palazzo Farnese - Waiting for Santa Lucia. Sunday 8 December 2024, 3 and 4.30 p.m. Who was Saint Lucy? How was she depicted by painters? Why was she blind? We will discover the stories and legends revolving around the Saint so dear to the city of Piacenza and we will do so in a very special place full of light: the hall of frescoes in the Civic Museum. Booking required.
• Castellarano (RE) Mostra di Presepi - A new edition of the exhibition of nativity cribs in the exhibition rooms of the Rocchetta and among the streets of the historic village, thanks to the CSSC. From 7 December 2024 to 6 January 2025. Exhibition halls of the Rocchetta, Piazzale Cairoli and streets of the historic village. The nativity scenes in the historic town centre will always be visible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Fidenza (PR) | Greetings, Kisses and Best Wishes! Wednesday 11 December, 4.30 pm. Leoni Library in Palazzo delle Orsoline, after reading a story the children will make colourful greetings cards experimenting with different techniques. Workshop for children aged 6 to 10. Participation in the workshops is free of charge. 
• Busseto (PR) | La Rondine. For the centenary of Giacomo Puccini's death, Friday 13 December 2024, 8.30 p.m. Giuseppe Verdi Theatre. With the students of the Accademia Verdiana Carlo Bergonzi prepared by Cristina Ferri. Staging: Arte Scenica. Academy Choir conducted by Maestro Gregorio Pedrini. Orchestra Cantieri d'Arte conducted by Maestro Simone Maria Marziali. Directed by Eddy Lovaglio.
• Castellarano (RE) | Christmas market, once again this year the magical atmosphere of Christmas lights up the Rocchetta di Castellarano. Sunday 15 December 2024. In addition to the magical carpet of lights that will embellish the architectural forms of the Rocchetta's outer walls, themed displays and many new handcrafted nativity scenes will accompany you inside the warm embrace of the Christmas festivities. A km0 farmer's market will be set up, where you can find typical local products and original gift ideas, just a few steps outside the walls of the old town. The event is also held in the event of bad weather.
• Busseto (PR) Christmas Concert, A traditional Christmas concert featuring Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker and Christmas music and carols, with the Filarmonica Toscanini conducted by Jure Bučević. Thursday 19 December 2024, 8.30 p.m., Giuseppe Verdi Theatre.

Christmas:

• Fidenza (PR) | Lumina in tenebris - Christmas Carols - Choral Concert The London Academy. Monday 23 December, 4 p.m., Piazza Garibaldi, via Cavour, via Berenini.
• Castello di Rivalta and its village (PC) | Christmas Eve dinner at Bistrot Caffè di Rivalta and extraordinary guided tours of the manor house during the day. Tuesday 24 December 2024. During the day of 24 Decemeber 2024, it will be possible to visit the Rivalta Castle with guided tours upon compulsory booking. Possibility of dinner at Bistrot Caffè di Rivalta. Menu: Octopus carpaccio with vegetables, Lasagne terrine with salmon and courgettes, baked sea bass with cherry tomatoes and olives with potato pie, nougat semifreddo with hot chocolate.
• Castello di Rivalta and its Borgo (PC) | Living Nativity Scene in the village of the Castle On Christmas Eve, the Borgo will be transformed into a small Bethlehem, where mulled wine, tea, a miraculous herbal tea from the herbalist and bread of peace from the bakers will be served in exchange for a free offer. Tuesday 24 December 2024, from 10 p.m. Admission free of charge.
• Fidenza (PR) | The splendour of the Girolamo Magnani Theatre - Guided tour. Saturday 28 December, 4 p.m., Girolamo Magnani Theatre.

For info and booking: info@castellidelducato.it