The city of Loano is ready to immerse itself in the Christmas atmosphere with the “Christmas Moments”, the rich calendar of events organized by the City's Department of Tourism, Culture and Sports in collaboration with the city's associations to brighten the holidays of Loano residents and guests. The calendar has received funding of 100,000 euros from the Liguria Region under the Single National Tourism Fund (Funt) promoted by the Ministry of Tourism.
Download the full program here.
“Also this year," they declare. Loano mayor Luca Lettieri and councillor for tourism, culture and sports Enrica Rocca - our city is ready to ‘light up’ with the many events that, as usual, characterize the Christmas season. From the ‘Magical Christmas Village’ to New Year's Eve in the square to the ice rink, passing through the traditional swimming cimento and the musical, cultural, literary events and sports and solidarity events, the administration has been working with local associations and categories to give our fellow citizens and guests the most ‘warm and enveloping’ atmosphere possible, just as Christmas should be. As always, businesses and stores will be festively decorated with this year's ‘dominant colors’, namely red and white; the ‘mascot’ this Christmas will be the classic gingerbread man. We would like to thank the offices and all those who, in one way or another, have collaborated to make this time of year special once again. We look forward to December 2 for the lighting of the Christmas lights and then with all the other ‘Christmas Moments’.”.
Loano will officially kick off the holiday season on December 2 with the lighting of the “A Thousand Lights of the Holidays”, the artistic illuminations that throughout December 2023 and the first days of January 2024 will light up and “warm up” the city streets and squares. This year, the traditional illuminations will be enriched by a system of video-mapping: The facade of Palazzo Doria in Piazza Italia will be decorated with beautiful Christmas images. These will be generated by a system composed of six latest-generation (and energy-efficient) LED technology projectors set up in collaboration with Enel Sole, already a partner of the City of Loano in project-financing for the restyling of public lighting. The installation has been customized to make projections on the facade of City Hall. The lighting of the illuminations will be a real celebration. Starting at 4:30 p.m. performance by the group “U Gunbu de Loa-Verzi” and the show offered by the “Travelling lights”, a magical parade of performers, jugglers and acrobats dressed in outfits illuminated by thousands of lights shining in the night. The nine performers of the show dance on stilts, twirl light juggling implements, perform aerial acrobatics on a traveling structure, twirl and dance among the audience. A trainer dancer will accompany the large white steeds with her gentle gestures while two other performers will move two majestic luminous white horses in time with the music. The performance will accompany the audience to the Christmas tree lighting ceremony scheduled at 5:30 p.m. in Italy Square and the opening of the “Magic Christmas Village” market, which will also be attended by guests from Loano's Ramella sheltered residence.
The centerpiece of Loano's Christmas events will be, as always, the “Magic Christmas Village”, the traditional Christmas market with a Northern European flavor set up inside the San Josemaria Escrivà Gardens by the Multipurpose Cultural Center. Illuminated by magical decorations, the little wooden houses will offer many gift ideas such as handmade Christmas items, cribs, candles, collectible toys, souvenir photos and personalized calendars with Santa Claus, jewelry, gifts, games and local products. Not forgetting the street-food delicacies with which to accompany shopping among the little houses and which this year will feature many brand new goodies. Santa Claus will be waiting for children in his cozy little house to take a photo with them and to collect letters.
Shopping afternoons will be accompanied by musical events and animations for children (always starting at 4:30 p.m.). Dec. 7 to 10 is the “Elf Workshop”; Thursday, Dec. 7, appointment with baby-dance; Friday, Dec. 8, concert of “U Gumbu de Loa-Verzi”; Saturday, Dec. 9, gospel concert with The Soul of Gospel; Saturday, Dec. 16, at the market and in the downtown streets entertainment with music and the presentation of the “Fugassa Tour” by the association “Due Zaini e un Camallo.” Sunday, Dec. 17 traveling magic show “Bimbi in magia” with Mago Alex; Sunday, Dec. 24 Christmas concert; Thursday, Dec. 28 new appointment with “Bimbi in magia” and Mago Alex; Saturday, Dec. 30 from 5 p.m. concert of “U Gumbu de Loa-Verzi”; Sunday, Dec. 31 entertainment for young and old; Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024 “Bimbi in magia” returns. The market will be open on Saturday, Dec. 2 and Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023; Thursday, Dec. 7 to Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023; Saturday, Dec. 16 and Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023; and Saturday, Jan. 23 to Sunday, Jan. 7 (Monday through Saturday from 3 to 7 p.m.; Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.).
From December 2, 2023 to January 7, 2024, a large rink which will allow young and old, experienced and inexperienced, to experience the thrill of sliding on ice. The wonderful atmosphere, the proximity to the Christmas tree, the marketplace will give everyone the thrill of living in a fairy tale. The rink will be open daily from 10 am to 7:30 pm, Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to midnight. All information at treninimiletto.it.
Saturday, December 16, downtown is “Waiting for Christmas”, an event promoted by Fipe Confcommercio and Centro Culturale Polivalente. From 10 a.m. street-food and stalls; from 4 p.m. traveling music with Tribal Delight and traveling entertainment with Studium Dance & Movement; at 4 p.m. in Piazza Rocca concert by “U Gumbu de Loa-Verzi” and in Orto Maccagli live connection with Radio Onda Ligure; in Via Ghilini gospel concert by The Soul of Gospel and in Via Stella performance by Viola. Saturday, December 23 from 4 p.m. and Tuesday, January 2 from 4:30 p.m. double date with “Emotions in music”: the Sbanday Street Band of the St. Mary Immaculate Music Association will crisscross the streets and squares of downtown with its usual, enthralling energy, while the boys of Studium Dance & Movement will treat the public to an afternoon of exciting traveling entertainment.
On Sunday, December 24 from 10:30 p.m., Piazza Italia and Piazza Palestro will come alive with the living nativity scene itinerant organized by Old Loano in collaboration with the parish of St. John the Baptist.
On December 28, the “Winter swimming competition”. The traditional plunge will be held at 10:30 a.m. at Bagni Murena and, as always, will feature “professional divers” from all over Liguria and northern Italy: the fearless divers will test themselves by facing the winter sea for a swim lasting only a few seconds or, for the most trained, about ten minutes.
On Dec. 29 at 5:30 p.m. in Italy Square, the closing event of “The sea for all”, the accessible and inclusive tourism project funded by the Liguria Region and presented by Pietra Ligure (lead partner) with the municipalities of Loano, Borgio Verezzi, Finale Ligure and in collaboration with 11 partner associations. Great protagonist of the day will be Annalisa Minetti, who will perform alongside three young city talents Corinna Parodi, Aurora Vicinanza and Viola Maldarizzi. In addition, during the afternoon, the most significant activities related to the project in the territory of Loano will be recalled and the next edition of the Loano Triathlon Sprint, an event organized by Doria Nuoto Loano that will kick off the projects of “The Sea for All” for 2024 ensuring continuity of the funded activities, will be presented.
On December 30, Italy Square will host “Baby Dancer”, an afternoon of pure joy and fun for the little ones and their families organized by Strobe. The event begins at 3 p.m. with an overwhelming “Baby Dance,” followed by engaging group dances and must-see themed entertainment. Songs and theme songs from the most beloved cartoons will be the ideal background for an afternoon of laughter and merriment. Closing at 7:30 p.m. that will leave everyone with a smile. At 4:30 p.m. entertainment and music through the streets of downtown with “Waiting for New Year's Eve” by Fipe Confcommercio and the Loanese Committee. Baby-dance will also return on January 3, 2024 at 4:30 p.m. in Ghilini Street.
On December 31, Loano will greet the end of 2023 and the beginning of 2024 with a new year's eve in the square full of music and entertainment organized in cooperation with the Eccoci Agency. Starting at 9 p.m. on Ghilini Street, in Orto Maccagli and at the Christmas markets music and entertainment. At 10:30 p.m. in Piazza Italia dj-set by Enzo Dj and performance by the band Divina Show. The group will star in an engaging, dynamic and non-stop tribute disco dance concert. All accompanied by spectacular stage costumes that will make the evening a treat for the eyes as well. Conducted by Marco Dottore. The ice rink and markets will remain open all evening: at 9 p.m. at the “Magic Christmas Village” there will be a DJ set; at 9:30 p.m. in Orto Maccagli concert by the Amarcord Band and at the same time in Via Ghilini performance by The Barnowls.
On January 1, 2024, the traditional new year's fireworks display. Starting at about 6 p.m. from the Doria Pier near Kursaal Palace original creations with fountain, sphere and rain-effect shapes will intersect in the sky, forming a magical play of colorful lights and a crackling scenery that will create an enveloping atmosphere. Light, shape, color and rhythm will compose an original and unique show.
On Jan. 6, 2024 at 3 p.m., the Three Kings will arrive in Italy Square to celebrate with young and old alike the Feast of the Epiphany. Afternoon by Old Loano.
La music will be the big star of the Christmas season in many ways. On Dec. 9 at 9 p.m. in the council chamber of Palazzo Doria there will be “Notes for the Immaculate Conception,” a vocal concert by the students of the Loanese Music Association. On Dec. 19 at 9 p.m. in the church of Santa Maria Immacolata concert by the Polyphonic Choir City of Loano and the San Nicola Chorale of Diano Castello. On Dec. 23 at 9 p.m. in the council chamber there will be a “Christmas in Jazz” concert with the Danila Satragno Quartet. On Dec. 27 at 6 p.m. in Piazza Italia appointment with the Strobe Party and the Sisters Cap. The famous sisters Floriana B. and Ilenia R. Capriati, just back from their tour in Australia, will make the audience dance and have fun with their explosion of energy and music. On Dec. 28 from 4 p.m. in Piazza Italia (or in the library in case of bad weather) concert “Christmas Notes and Lights” by the young artists of Danila Satragno's “Vocal Care” campus. To follow, at 6 p.m. at the Oratory of the Cappe Turchine, concert with Luigi Malandra, titular organist of the Basilica of Superga in Turin. Dec. 29 sees the return of “Tales of Winter,” a musical event of the holiday season organized by the Compagnia dei Curiosi Association with the contribution of the City of Loano that maintains elements of continuity with the City of Loano National Award for Traditional Italian Music. At 9 p.m. in the Council Chamber of Palazzo Doria concert by Beppe Gambetta “Dove tia o vento / Where the wind blows.” On January 3, 2024 at 5:30 p.m. “Tales of Winter” will see Piazza Italia come alive with “Occitan Dances Descend to the Sea.” It will renew the twinning with the musical culture of the Cuneo valleys represented by Sergio Berardo, multifaceted leader of Lou Dalfin, the group that more than any other in recent years has taken Occitan music around the peninsula and Europe. The band, which celebrates forty-one years of career this year, will perform to the sounds of folk rock for what will be a long and unmissable afternoon of dancing. The event is a prelude to the National Award for Italian Traditional Music organized in collaboration with Compagnia dei Curiosi, which takes place in July and will reach its 20th edition in 2024. On Jan. 5, 2024 at 6 p.m. at the Cappe Turchine Oratory concert featuring Paola Arecco (piano), Mattia Pelosi (tenor) and Kateryna Makhnyk (soprano). On Jan. 6 at 9 p.m. at Mount Carmel Church concert by the Polyphonic Choir City of Loano and the St. Nicholas Chorale of Diano Castello.
December and the holidays have always been the time for books, and so the Christmas version of “LOA Reads in Every Corner”, the event entirely dedicated to reading and literature promoted by the aps #cosavuochetilegga, which this year obtained a contribution of 20 thousand euros from the “Center for Books and Reading” (Cepell) of the Ministry of Culture. It begins Dec. 10: At 5:30 p.m. in the council chamber of Palazzo Doria Valeria Solarino reads Oriana Fallaci's “The Useless Sex.” Accompanying her will be Javier Girotto on sax and Giulio Tampalini on guitar. Appointment organized by Aps #cosavuoichetilegga. On Dec. 17 at the civic library “Antonio Arecco” in Kursaal Palace first appointment with “Bibliobimbi,” a cycle of readings and workshops for children, girls and their families. At 4:30 p.m. “When it's Christmas” will kick off, with readings and workshops for children ages 5 to 10. Readers from #cosavuoichetilegga and Casa Cultural's Nanny Narrastorie will read excerpts from “The Most Beautiful Christmas Stories” by Gianni Rodari; followed by creative-artistic workshop “My Advent Calendar of Words” with Monica Maggi, aka Nanny Narrastorie, and Sonia Angarano of Casa Cultural. On Dec. 23 at 4:30 p.m., also at the library, Oreste Castagna will star in “Waiting for Christmas with Oreste Castagna,” with readings and workshops for children ages 5 to 10. On Jan. 4 at 9:30 p.m. in the council chamber of Palazzo Doria Peppe Servillo reads “Marcovaldo” by Italo Calvino: on the 100th anniversary of the writer's birth, an evening dedicated to the imaginative stories of one of the most famous characters in Italian literature. Musical accompaniment by Cristiano Califano (guitar). Other appointments with books (and more) will be held on Jan. 5 and Jan. 13 by Strobe. On Jan. 5 at Palazzo Doria there will be a presentation of the book “A Thousand Red Poppies” by Sergio Badino, writer and screenwriter of Disney stories. On Jan. 13, on the other hand, Mattia Villardita will present his book “Spider-Man and I.”.
La culture will be featured throughout the holiday season. On Dec. 16 at 3:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber of Palazzo Doria conference on “The Mysticism of the Gaze from Early Christian Symbologies to Contemporary Visions” by Unitre Loano. From Dec. 16, 2023 to Jan. 7, 2024 in the Mosaic Room of the Doria Palace will be “Greetings from Loano,” an exhibition of postcards, tourist and carnival posters regarding the history of Loano by the Lodanum Association. The opening will be held on Dec. 16 at 5 p.m. and will be accompanied by a keynote lecture by Luca Palazzo. A talk with Claudia Ghiraldello, Ambassador for Culture of Loano and author of the book “Secular Art in the Caruggio of Loano,” will be held on Dec. 21 in the Council Chamber.
In addition to the “Magic Christmas Village,” there will be many opportunities to take a stroll among the stalls of the markets. As every second Sunday of the month, Sunday, December 10 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. under the arcades of Corso Europa and in the nearby “Bestoso” gardens, the Antiques and Collectibles Market returns, the event dedicated to antiques and collectibles organized by the Cultural and Recreational Association E20 Free under the patronage of the departments of commerce and tourism of the City of Loano. Dozens of exhibitors will present a selected collection of furniture, silver, paintings, carpets and objects with an antique flavor and full of charm. Curiosities and “grandma's things” as well as collectibles and modern antiques will find their place in the market. On Friday, Dec. 8 and Saturday, Dec. 9, and then on Saturday, Dec. 23 and Saturday, Dec. 30, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Piazza Massena, “Mestieri in Piazza” returns, the artisans' and artists' market organized by the association Artigianalmente under the patronage of the City of Loano's Department of Commerce. Professional craftsmen and skilled artists will display the fruits of their ingenuity and skill. Works of sculpture, painting, drawing, printmaking and fine arts as well as painted ceramics, wood-carved objects, painted glass, bags and belts made from leather and art costume jewelry will be on the stalls.
From Dec. 1 to Dec. 23, the activities of the ’caruggetti orbi“ will bring to life ”Advent in the orb caruggets”. Every day until Christmas Eve, the merchants of Lovran's “alleys” will launch (via social networks) a small public challenge and give a gift to whoever first collects it and wins. On December 16 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. special event: a “kitsch raffle” directly in the alleys. All information can be found on the Facebook page “The Advent of the Orb Caruggets.”.
Christmas is the perfect time to go exploring the area and its treasures. On Thursday, Dec. 7, 14, 21, the “Loano not only sea”, the program curated by the Loano section of the Cai with the sponsorship of the Department of Tourism, Culture and Sports of the Municipality of Loano and which aims to promote hiking as an opportunity for socialization, personal well-being, knowledge and appreciation of the area. During the holiday season, the Sea Museum, run by the Lodanum Association. The Kursaal Palace museum center will be open Dec. 1 to 3, Dec. 8 to 10, Dec. 15 to 17, Dec. 22 to 24 on Fridays and Saturdays from 3 to 6 p.m., Sundays from 9:30 a.m. to noon; other openings Dec. 27 to 31 and Jan. 2 to 7, 2024 from 3 to 6 p.m. and Sundays also from 9:30 a.m. to noon.
On Wednesday, January 3, 2024, along the seafront promenade, beach and in the old town will be held the “Santa Claus Race” promoted by Fipe Confcommercio and Centro Culturale Polivalente in collaboration with Runners For Autism and Asd Maremontana. Start and finish in Piazza Italia.
There will be no shortage of appointments with the sports. On Dec. 9, the 2023 edition of the International Fight Show, a prestigious combat sports gala organized by Asd Team Perlungher, will be held at PalaGarassini. From January 2 to 5, 2024, the PalaGarassini will host the 8th edition of “Loano in dance” organized by Asd Promozione Danza Liguria. Still talking about dance, on December 3 and 15 in Piazza Italia double date with the “Cerchio Aereo,” a show by Asd Etnica Danza Movimento e Armonia that comes from the fusion of dance and aerial acrobatics. On Saturday, Dec. 16 and Sunday, Dec. 17, new appointment with the Loano Marina Winter Championship. From Dec. 28 to 30 at Ellena Stadium is the City of Loano Soccer Tournament organized by Asd San Francesco Loano for the categories Rookies 2012 and Mixed, Chicks 2013 and 2014 and First Kicks 2015 and 2016 and Little Friends 2017/2018. On Jan. 5 and 6, 2024 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Bagni Lampara two days dedicated to horseback riding organized by Fipe Confcommercio and Centro Culturale Polivalente with “saddle baptism” and horse rides.
During the holiday season, there will be no shortage of solidarity occasions. From December 8 to 10, ’Poinsettias“ that help the research of Ail, the Italian Association against Leukemia, Lymphoma and Myeloma, will be distributed at Loano. On Saturday, December 9, volunteers from the association ”Camilla's Wings“ will be in Rocca Square with ”Solidarity Nougats“: all proceeds will go to support children with epidermolysis bullosa. As a tradition during the holiday season, on the afternoons of Dec. 30 and Jan. 5, 2024, members of the Alpine Group of Loano will be in Rocca Square for the usual distribution of mulled wine and hot chocolate to all Lovran residents and guests. A ”warm embrace“ to better celebrate the end of the old year and the beginning of the new year and to concretely support one of the most important health realities of our region: the donations collected during the two days, in fact, will be destined to the Gaslini Children's Hospital in Genoa.
On December 17, appointment with one of the symbols of Italian engines: at 10 am in Italy Square “Presepando”, gathering of Fiat 500s with cribs. On the same day, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., falconry show in the ridotto of the Prince's Garden.
With the arrival of the holiday season at churches and oratories in Loano, numerous traditional nativities. Each recreation of the Nativity play is set in a scenic landscape. Alongside the canonical characters of the nativity scene are figures of popular characters and scenes of everyday life. Sometimes there are mechanical scenes. By visiting the Nativity reconstructions set up in the city's parishes, chapels and oratories, it will be possible to trace a real itinerary to discover the architectural-religious riches of Loano. Traditional nativity scenes have been set up at the oratory of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary or “dei Turchini” in Piazza Italia (from Dec. 8, 2022 to Jan. 23, 2023); in the parish of St. Pius X on Via Bergamo (from Dec. 24, 2022 to Feb. 2, 2023); at St. Mary Immaculate Parish on Gazzi Street (Dec. 24, 2022 to Feb. 2, 2023); at St. John the Baptist Oratory or ’dei Bianchi“ on Boragine Street (Dec. 8, 2022 to Jan. 29, 2023); at St. John the Baptist Parish (Dec. 24, 2022 to Feb. 2, 2023); at the Mount Carmel Convent (open year-round).
