Christmas in Turin
An Outdoor Passage Through Art and Lights
by Stefania Manfrè
Strolling through the city is one of the greatest ways to enjoy Turin. Despite the common thought that Turin is a cold industrial city – in fact, it ‘s not! Walking down its streets surrounded by Baroque architecture and porticoes, even in winter, offers you the possibility to enjoy this magnificent city and discover its unique places.
compliments of FT Times
Turin is even more beautiful and special during Christmastime with a variety of different things to do. A magic way to get in touch with the city is through Luci d’Artista an outdoor exhibit of Contemporary art that reinvents the streets and piazzas in Turin by illuminating them with striking light installations of great visual impact.
From October 31st until January 10th Luci d’Artista offers locals and tourists light installations never seen in Contemporary art… thanks to the creative contribution of internationally famous artists. The light scenes are located in different and meaningful places of Turin, so while you meander through the city you can either enjoy our food or our exclusive shops and boutiques. I prefer not to give you any specific advice in this respect simply because all of these areas are really full of restaurants and boutique shops, each with its own history and tradition. So, I’m sure you’ll easily find a place which best fits your needs.
Luci D’Artista – photo by Nicola de Maria
The project A Great Symphony for Turin enriches Luci d’Artista’s exhibit: nine pieces of electronic music, expressly composed by young musicians, dialogue with as many artworks of Luci d’Artista and each song plays closely to the artworks.
Luci d Artista – Turismo Torino e Provincia
Here’s where you can listen to the musical pieces linked to Luci d’Artista:
PIAZZA MADAMA CRISTINA: Kode9 (Gran Bretagna, Hyperdub)
PIAZZA BODONI: Dave Saved (Italia, Astro:Dynamics)
CAMPUS EINAUDI: JIIN (Corea del Sud)
PIAZZA SAN CARLO: IED Milano
PALAZZO NUOVO: Scratcha DVA (Gran Bretagna, Hyperdub)
STAZIONE DI PORTA NUOVA: Akkord I On (Kazakistan/Bulgaria)
POLITECNICO, FONDAZIONE SANDRETTO RE REBAUDENGO: XIII x Sabla
PIAZZA CARLO ALBERTO: IED Milano
GALLERIA UMBERTO I: Bienoise
PIAZZA PALAZZO DI CITTà: 2L8
PIAZZA CARIGNANO: OOBE
POLO CONTEMPORANEO LINGOTTO: Vaghe Stelle
MONTE DEI CAPPUCCINI: Morkebla
STAZIONE DI PORTA SUSA: IED Milano
PIAZZA CASTELLO: Kode9 (Gran Bretagna, Hyperdub)
Finally, Light on the Bus is a special tour provided by City Sightseeing which allows you to enjoy the light show from a different point of view.
To find out more: www.turismotorino.org/busturistico
Another wonderful attraction leading up to Christmas in Turin is the outdoor markets: from December 4th until December 23rd don’t miss the Borgo Dora market, the most famous one in town or an alternative is to discover the Christmas market at IL Cortile del Maglio.
This year the theme of the Christmas Market of Borgo Dora will be the Nativity. Besides classic market stalls you can also admire the Nativity Scene Museum, an exhibition of about 250 Nativity from around the world and an electromechanical ‘Passion Nativity between fantasy and imagination’ (with about 35 characters moving on a surface of 24 square meters).
Another “must-see” is the Mercatino of Adisco, the Association of Italian Umbilical Cord Blood Donors Christmas market, takes place in Via Lagrange. I’m sure you’ll enjoy the Christmas atmosphere of this market and, for sure, you’ll find many gifts ideas. Most importantly, the proceeds from sales are donated to the project “Isola Margherita”, a department within the Regina Margherita Hospital dedicated to children suffering from rare and incurable diseases and to their families. After all, Christmas is also an occasion for charity.
These and many more attractions are waiting for you for a really magical Christmas in Turin!
For more information about Christmas in Turin, check out these websites:
Natale a Torino – Christmas in Turin
Turin Balon Market on Facebook
About the Writer: Stefania Manfrè
Mom, wife and blogger for passion. In love with life, beauty and fashion that I pursue everywhere.
Since as long as I can remember, I love Fashion as a form of language and communication; I’m curious and allergic to all kinds of homologation. Discovering emerging designers and bringing out pretty unknown labels is my talent….always with a smile! Connect with Stefania here:
