The tradition of the NATIVITY SCENES is shrouded in history. During the Christmas holidays, many churches and religious places in Ravenna host fascinating artistic and symbolic displays related to the origins of Christianity.
Windows and streets of the old town and some seaside towns are embellished both with classical and iconic compositions and contemporary ideas.
Full programme to be defined.
During the Christmas holidays, from December 1st to 27th all parking areas managed by Azimut on behalf of the municipality will be free of charge from 4.30 pm, except for the one in piazza Baracca, which will be free from 6.30 pm.
NATIVITY SCENES IN THE CITY CENTRE
• E VENNE AD ABITARE IN MEZZO A NOI!
Basilica di S. Agata Maggiore – Via Mazzini, 46
When: 6th December 2025 – 31st January 2026
Opening times: 9.30 am -1.30 pm/ 3.30 pm – 7.30 pm (Saturday); 9.30 am – 11.30 am/ 1.30 pm – 5.30 pm (Sunday)
Author: Gruppo presepistico del Duomo
For more information: alessio.callegaro@gmail.com
Artistic Sicilian-style nativity scene with statues by Angela Tripi.
• INARTECIRO. NEAPOLITAN NATIVITY SCENE IN RAVENNA
Auditorium dell’Ufficio Anagrafe – Viale Enrico Berlinguer, 30
When: 6th December 2025 – 9th January 2026
Opening times: Monday, Wednesday and Friday: 8 am – 1 pm; Tuesday and Thursday: 8 am – 1 pm / 2.30 pm – 4.30 pm; Saturday: 8.30 am – 12.30 pm
Author: Ciro Aurilia
For more information: ciro.aurilia1@gmail.com
The aim of this exhibition is to present characters and compositions from nativity scenes that bear witness to the scenographic skills of the Neapolitan tradition. A journey into the enchanted world of the Neapolitan nativity scene, where nature, religiosity and society of that period intertwine in a fairy-tale and exotic but also popular setting.
• GLORIA IN EXCELSIS DEO
Artistic nativity scene with mechanical statues
Cathedral of Ravenna – Piazza Duomo
Inauguration: 8th December after the Mass of 11 am
When: 8th December 2025 – 31st January 2026
Opening times: 7.30 am – 5 pm (weekdays); 7.30 am – 5 pm (pre-holidays); 8 am – 7 pm (public holidays)
It is not possible to visit the nativity scene during church services.
Authors: parish group of the cathedral and Alessio Callegaro
For more information: alessio.callegaro@gmail.com
• NATIVITY SCENES FROM THE WORLD: AUGUSTO POVERINI’S COLLECTION
Basilica of San Giovanni Evangelista – Viale Farini
When: 8th December 2025 – 25th January 2026
Opening times: 10.30 am – 4.30 pm (from Tuesday to Sunday)
For more information: info@ravennamosaici.it / + 39 0544 541688
• NATIVITY SCENES FROM THE WORLD: AUGUSTO POVERINI’S COLLECTION
Parrocchia San Rocco – Via Castel San Pietro, 26
When: 8th December 2025 – 7th January 2026
Opening times: always visible
For more information: info@ravennamosaici.it / + 39 0544 541688
• “CRISTO LUCE DEL MONDO!”
Nativity Installation
Square of the Neonian Baptistery – Piazza Duomo 1
When: 8th December 2025 – 7th January 2026
Opening times: always visible. We suggest a night visit.
Author: Gianluca Piccolo
For more information: info@ravennamosaici.it / + 39 0544 541688
• NATIVITY SCENE IN THE BASILICA OF SAN FRANCESCO
Basilica of San Francesco – Piazza San Francesco
When: 9th December 2025 – 6th January 2026
Opening times: 7 am – 6.30 pm (every day)
Authors: Gruppo MASCI di San Francesco and some students from Liceo Artistico Nervi – Severini of Ravenna coordinated by Prof. Henry Rossi, creator of the permanent nativity scene inside the Basilica of San Francesco.
• HISTORICAL EASTERN NATIVITY SCENE
Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore – Via Galla Placidia
When: 8th December 2025 – 18th January 2026
Opening times: 8.30 am – 6 pm (every day)
Author: parish group guided by Roberto Sangiorgi
For more information: Don Rosino Gabbiadini +39 338 7296514
• THE NATIVITY SCENE OF THE CHARITY
Chiesa del Suffragio – Via Serafino Ferruzzi, 1
When: 1st December 2025 – 2nd February 2026
Opening times: 8.30 am – 4.30 pm (every day)
Author: P. Parrini
For more information: info@ravennamosaici.it / + 39 0544 541688
Nativity scene made from very simple materials such as wasp and bee nests, decorated with natural elements such as buds, pods, berries, roots, seeds, tubers and many other plants.
• TRAVELLING NATIVITY SCENE IN THE CITY OF RAVENNA. TRAGEDY OF THE NATIVITY SCENE
Chiesa Arcipretale di San Biagio – Via Chiesa, 7
When: 24th December 2025 – 15th January 2026
Opening time: 9.00 -12.30 (tutti i giorni)
Author: Ciro Aurilia
For more information: ciro.aurilia1@gmail.com
The nativity scene begins its journey from the parish church of San Biagio, visiting a different parish in the city each day.
• “IL VERBO INCARNATO”
Nativity scene of Istituto del Verbo Incarnato
Santa Maria delle Croci Hospital – Via Missiroli, 10
When: always visible
Opening times: 8 am – 7 pm (every day)
Author: Ciro Aurilia
For more information: ciro.aurilia1@gmail.com
• THE NATIVITY
Edition 2026 – Artistic nativity scene from 18th century Naples
Banca Nazionale del Lavoro – Piazza del Popolo, 23
When: 16th December 2025 – 31st January 2026
Opening times: 9 am – 12 pm / 2.30 pm – 4 pm (weekdays)
Author: Ciro Aurilia
For more information: ciro.aurilia1@gmail.com
In support of Telethon scientific research into genetic diseases.
NATIVITY SCENES OUTSIDE THE HISTORICAL CENTRE
• LIVING NATIVITY SCENE IN CLASSE
Entrance to Bethlehem
Casa dei Ragazzi – Via Romea Sud 224, Classe
Opening times: 24th December 2025 from 7 pm to 11.30 pm / 6th January 2026 from 3 pm to 6 pm
The living nativity scene of Classe features the reconstruction of the Christmas night, where characters are interpreted by volunteers of Classe.
On Christmas Eve at 11.45 pm, the costume parade will proceed to the Basilica of St. Apollinaris for Holy Mass. On the afternoon of Epiphany at 4.30 pm, the Three Kings will arrive on horseback, bringing gifts to Jesus and all the children.
Curated by Commissione del Presepio Vivente.
For more information: www.parrocchiadiclasse.it/presepe | presepe@parrocchiadiclasse.it
• PRESEPE VALLI PINETA
Project “La via dei Presepi del Mare”
Public Gardens – Viale Italia, Marina Romea
When: 9th December 2025 – 9th January 2026
Opening times: always visible
For more information: +39 320 7677011 | www.prolocomarinaromea.it / info@prolocomarinaromea.it
Nativity scene realised with figures representing the landscape of the lagoons and of the pine forest, organised by the Pro Loco of Marina Romea.
• NATIVITY SCENE IN LIDO ADRIANO
Church of San Massimiliano Kolbe – Viale Alessandro Manzoni, 381 Lido Adriano
When: 10th December 2025 – 19th January 2026
Opening times: 11 am – 12 pm / 4 pm – 6 pm (from Monday to Friday); on public holidays, 30 minutes before the Mass.
Author: collaboration between the “Amare Lido Adriano” association and the parish church of Lido Adriano.
For more information: +39 338 4965957 / amarelidoadriano@gmail.com
The nativity scene (4 x 3 mt) features traditional ceramic statues and mechanised moving parts.
• ARTISTIC CHALK NATIVITY SCENE FROM THE EARLY ‘900S
Entrance of Hospice Villa Adalgisa – Via Fiume Montone Abbandonato, 447
When: 7th December 2025 -11th January 2026
Opening times: always visible
Author: Piergianni Gualtieri
• POPULAR ROMAGNA-STYLE NATIVITY SCENE
Centro didattico ricreativo “Labadabadu” – Via Cella 255, San Bartolo
When: 7th December 2025 -11th January 2026
Opening times: always visible
Authors: Piergianni Gualtieri with Paolo Gardini and Ettore Perazzini
• IRON NATIVITY SCENE
Piazza Dora Markus – Marina di Ravenna
When: 6th December 2025 – 11th January 2026
Opening times: always visible, with lights at night
Authors: C.S.R.C. Portuali, Compagnia Portuale in collaboration with the Port Authority, Pro Loco of Marina di Ravenna and Marina E20
Author: Enrico Bartolozzi (at Mariport)
For information: +39 338 9543835 / spadarogigi@gmail.com | + 39 335 6364640 / marinadiravennae20@gmail.com
Nativity scene realised with metal sheets – 7 figures representing the nativity (the tallest of which is 3 metres high)
• MOUNTAIN-STYLE NATIVITY SCENE
Parish church of S. Giuseppe – Via Tito Speri 20, Marina di Ravenna
When: 8th December 2025 – 31st January 2026
Opening times: 9 am – 5.30 (weekdays); 9 am – 11.30 am / 12.30 pm – 6.30 pm (public holidays)
For more information: +39 0544 530106
Started about 16 years ago, built in polystyrene, constantly improved and embellished over the years, mechanised in the movements of the characters, with changing lights day and night, artistically pleasing and joyful also due to the simultaneous presence of music.
Inside the church there are other smaller nativity scenes.
• PALESTINIAN NATIVITY SCENE WITH LIFE-SIZE STATUES
Park in front of Chiesa Priorale di S. Adalberto – Piazza Garibaldi 12, Sant’Alberto
When: 8th December 2025 – 19th January 2026
Opening hours: always visible, lightened up until 12 am
Authors: Gruppo Parrocchiale di Sant’Alberto, pro Loco Sant’Alberto
For more information: +39 347 0836575 o giuseppe.cignarale@alice.it
• PRESEPE DELLA SACRA FAMIGLIA
Project “Presepi della via del Mare”
Public Gardens – Via Volano, Porto Corsini
When: 9th December 2025 – 8th January 2026
Opening times: always visible
For more information: +39 338 4130805
Nativity scene realised by the Pro Loco of Porto Corsini, in collaboration with students of Liceo Artistico Nervi-Severini of Ravenna and volunteer parents.
• PRESEPE DEL MARE
Project “Presepi della via del Mare”
Church of San Lorenzo – Piazza Marradi 4, Casalborsetti
When: 8th December 2025 – 9th January 2026
Opening times: 8.30 am – 6 pm (every day)
Author: Rino Belletti
For more information: +39 320 2471134
Nativity scene realised with seashells, organised by the Parish of San Lorenzo in collaboration with the Pro Loco of Casalborsetti.
• LIVING NATIVITY SCENE
Arena di Pietra di Mezzano – Piazza John Lennon, Mezzano
When: Thursday 25th and Friday 26th December
Opening times: 9.30 am – 8 pm
Authors: Arte del Creare APS in collaboration with Associazione Onlus Casa d’Accoglienza Bambini Indifesi
Living nativity scene with the representation of ancient crafts, involving citizens and schools.
• MOSTRA DEI PRESEPI 2025
Piazza della Cooperazione – Mezzano
When: 14th December 2025 – 21st December 2025
Opening times: to be defined
Authors: citizenship
For more information: percorsimezzano@gmail.com
Public exhibition of nativity scenes created by local residents.
