Ischia Christmas and New Year Events 2015 - 2016

Christmas Decorations in Ischia Porto

We’re having great weather and warm temperatures in Ischia but still, the Christmas atmosphere is palpable all around the island thanks to the decorations and light installations that can be seen everywhere.

Here we've listed a series of events and attractions taking place during the festive season in Ischia, we hope you are able to come here and enjoy some of these events and while we're at it, Seasons Greetings from everyone at Ischia Review!


Calendar of Christmas and New Year events in Ischia for 2015 - 2016
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List of Locations of Traditional Nativity scene installations (Presepe):


Ischia Ponte

Vico Giovanni da Procida - From 8th December 2015 to 16th Janaury 2016
 
Chiesa S. M. Assunta - Santuario San Giovan Giuseppe della Croce - From 8th December 2015 to 16th January 2016
 
Via Giambattista Vico 25
 
Via Champault, 43 – Torre del Molino
 
Church Sant'Antonio Abate


Ischia Porto
 
Via Sogliuzzo 17


Forio
 
Chiesa San Michele Arcangelo Piazza Ss. Immacolata (Monterone) - From 8th December 2015 to 9th January 2016
(Opening times: 11:00 - 13:00/16:00 - 21:00)
 
Piazza San Gaetano - From 8th December 2015 to 7th January 2016 (Open all day)

Chiesa di San Francesco d'Assisi - Open all year around (Opening times: 10:00 - 12:00/17:00 - 20:00)
 
Chiesa di San Gaetano - Open all year (Opening times: 09:30 - 12:30 / 16:00 - 20:00)
 
Monterone square - From 8th December 2016 to 16th January 2016 (Opening times: 10:00 - 12:00 / 17:00 - 20:00)
 
Chiesa Santa Maria di Loreto  - From 19th December 2015 to 8th January 2016
 
Vico Piazza - From 8th December 2015 to 7th January 2016


Panza
 
Via M° Cav. Leonardo Impagliazzo – near San Leonardo Church - From 8th December 2015 to 7th January 2016
(Opening times: Working days 17.00-20.30, Public Holidays  10:00-13.00/17:00-20:30, 24th & 31st December: 10:00-13:00/15:00-17:30)


Casamicciola Terme

Chiesa Santuario della Santissima Immacolata - From the 8th December to 9th January 2016 (Opening times: 09:00 - 12:00/16:00 - 18:00)
 
Chiesa Santa Maria Maddalena - From 8th December 2015 to 11th January 2016 (Opening times 10:00 – 12:00/16:00 -18:00)
 
Chiesa di San Pasquale - From 8th December 2015 to 11th January 2016 (Opening times 10:00 – 12:00/16:00 -18:00)
 
Chiesa Sant’Antonio - From 8th December 2015 to 11th January 2016 (Opening times 10:00 – 12:00 /16:00 -18:00)


Fontana
 
Church S. Maria della Mercede - From 16th December 2015 to 16th Janaury 2016 (Opening times: 11:00 - 13:00/16:00 - 20:00)


Serrara
 
Church S. Maria del Carmine - From 8th December 2015 to 9th January 2016


Lacco Ameno
 
Church Santa Maria delle Grazie, C.so Angelo Rizzoli - From 8th December 2015 to 9th January 2016 (Opening times: 10:00 - 12:00/16:00 - 20:00)

 
List of Permanent events from the 8th December 2015 to 11th January 2016

 
The Enchanted Forest (Il Bosco Incantato) – Via Edgardo Cortese, Ischia Porto - Light installations of wild animals with recorded sound in the woods

Underwater Worlds - Via Giovanni Da Procida (Ischia Ponte) - Light installations of sea-themed animals

Ischia Ice & Light - Piazzetta San Girolamo – Ischia Porto - Ice-skating rink
  
Christmas stalls  - Via E. Cortese, Piazzetta S. Girolamo, Ischia Ponte

Scents and taste of Ischia traditional food - Via Roma, Ischia Porto
 
Christmas for children  - Via A. De Luca - Piazza Vincenzo Telese - Games and sweets for children
 
Tourist itinerary around Ischia on an electric train - The train will pass along the pedestrianized streets of Ischia Porto
 
Typical Ischia food tasting and local arts & crafts - Casamicciola (Piazza Marina) 

  
From 12th December 2015 to 6th January 2016

Christmas on a carriage -  Ischia Porto - Santa Claus and his friends on a carriage driving along the streets of Ischia Porto

 
From 12th to 30th December 2015

Performance of various Street artists – Ischia Porto and Ischia Ponte: December 12th, 13th, 19th, 20th, 23rd, 24th, 26th, 29th & 30th - from 11:00 to 13:00 and from 15:00 to 20:00

Ischia Porto: Piazza Croce, Chiesa di San Pietro, Corso Vittoria Colonna (outside Alchemie night club), Piazza San Girolamo, Via Roma, Riva Destra (evening only).

Ischia Ponte: Via Luigi Mazzella (near the pharmacy and Atelier Mazzella in Ischia Ponte ), Via Giovanni Da Procida

 
From 12th December 2015 to 10th January 2016 

Art exhibition dedicated to the painter Gabriele Mattera – Art Gallery Ielasi – Ischia Ponte (Opening times 18:00 – 20:00)

 
Thursday 17th December 2015 

Christmas concert  Ischia Porto - Chiesa di Portosalvo - starting at 19:00

 
Friday 18th December 2015 

Christmas Concert – Ischia Ponte - From 16:00 to 21:00

Traditional Neapolitan Music concert – Casamicciola, Piazza Marina (ex Capricho) - Starting at 19:30


Saturday 19th December 2015

“Disco Revival”, disco evening with Dj set– Casamicciola, Piazza Marina (Capricho) - Starting at 21:00

Torrione Museum - Forio - Opening ceremony at 18:30. The museum will be open for the festive season every day except on Mondays from 09:30-12:30 and from 17:00-20:00

Concert by the "Pithecusae Band“ – Forio, Piazza Maltese, Starting at 20:00


Sunday 20th December 2015

Christmas choir  concert – Ischia, Chiesa del Gesù Buon Pastore - Starting at 19:00

Christmas choir concert – Forio, Chiesa San Francesco d’Assisi, Piazza Municipio - Starting at 19:30

Cabaret and music show – Casamicciola- Piazza Marina - Starting at 19:30


Monday 21st December 2015

Brass band Christmas concert – Panza, Chiesa San Leonardo - Starting at 20:00

 
Tuesday 22nd December 2015

Brass band and choir Christmas concert – Ischia, Chiesa Portosalvo - Starting at 19:00

Karaoke show and cooking lesson for children – Forio, Piazza Maltese - Starting at 15:00

Christmas concert with piano and cello – Forio, Chiesa San Gaetano - Starting at 18:00
 
The traditional escarole Pizza contest – Forio, Piazza Maltese - Starting at 19:30

 
Wednesday 23rd December 2015

Create your Christmas tree – Forio, Piazza Maltese - Creative workshop on how to create a Christmas tree with recycled materials - Starting at 11:00
 
Ice skating show- Ischia, Piazzetta San Girolamo - Starting at 21:00
 
Puppet show for children – Casamicciola, Piazza Marina - Starting at 17:30

 
Thursday 24th December 2015

Traditional Christmas fish market, food tasting and marching band– Forio centre, Piazza San Gaetano - Starting at 06:00

Santa Claus and his friends meet the children -Casamicciola Square - Starting at 10:30

Christmas aperitif at La Riva Destra with taste of traditional Ischia Christmas food – Ischia Porto, Riva Destra - Starting at 12:00

Waiting for Christmas – The cod fish festival – Ischia Ponte - Starting at 12:00

Cod fish festival and food tasting – Barano, Piazza San Rocco - Starting at 12:00

Cod fish festival and food tasting – Casamicciola, Piazza Marina - Starting at 12:00

Cod fish festival and food tasting – Forio, Piazza Maltese - Starting at 12:00
  
Holy Christmas mass, starting at 23:00  - Churches in Forio: San Vito, San Sebastiano, San Michele, San Francesco di Paola, San Francesco Saverio, San Leonardo in Panza

Waiting for Baby Jesus – Forio, Piazza Maltese; Panza, Piazza San Leonardo - At midnight free hot chocolate and Panettone to celebrate the birth of Jesus

 
Friday 25th December 2015

Marching band in the street of Forio – Forio centre - Starting at 10:00

Santa Claus riding on a bicycle - Ischia Porto - From 10:00 to 13:00

Marching band in the streets of Ischia – Piazza degli Eroi - Starting at 17:00

  
Saturday 26th December 2015

Christmas songs concert – Ischia, Church Portosalvo - Starting at 17:30

Live representation of the Holy Nativity – Panza, Piazza San Leonardo - Starting at 18:00

Choir concert – Forio, Chiesa San Gaetano - Starting at 19:30

Singing competition “Voci on Tour” – Forio, Piazza Maltese - Starting at 21:00

Christmas concert – Ischia Ponte, Chiesa Spirito Santo - Starting at 20:00

 
Sunday 27th December 2015

The big Christmas concert with the Ischia brass band and choir – Ischia Ponte, Chiesa Spirito Santo - Starting at 17:00

The Pipers Orchestra -  Ischia Ponte - Piazzetta S. Girolamo – Corso Vittoria Colonna- Piazza Corce-Via Roma - Starting at 17:00
 
Guided tour of the alleys, towers and churches of the hystorical center of Forio –  - Meeting point at 15:00 in Forio centre (near the fountain)

Marching band concert – Panza centre - Starting at 15:30

Live nativity representation – Panza, Piazza san Leonardo - Starting at 18:00

Brass band concert – Forio, Church San Vito - Starting at 19:30

Ice skating show – Casamicciola, Pio monte della Misericordia - Starting at 19:30

 
From 27th December 2015 to 6th January 2016

“The Bourbon queens” an historical and artistic itinerary along the villages of Sant’Alessandro and Celsa - Starting at 10:00 (reservation needed, call 0039 328 6636077- 0039 3334338049)

 
Monday 28th December 2015

The piper quartet “Calamus” in concert along the streets of Ischia Porto - From 10:30 to 13:00 and from 16:00 to 19:30

The traditional Live Nativity in Campagnano village - Starting at 16:00

Piano concert – Sant’Angelo, Chiesa San Michele Arcangelo - Starting at 18:30

 
Tuesday 29th December 2015

Guided tour of the “Osservatorio Geofisico 1885” (Geophysical observatory) in Casamicciola, Via Sentinella - From 09:00 to 13:00

Guided tour of the alleys, towers and churches of the historical centre of Forio –  - Meeting point at 15:00 in Forio centre (near the fountain)

Caribbean dances and show – Forio, Piazza Maltese - Starting at 21:00

Guided tours of the historical centre of Ischia Porto and Michelangelo’s Tower - Meeting point at 10:00 in Piazza degli Eroi

 
Wednesday 30th December 2015

Charity market – Casamicciola, Piazza Marina - From 10:30 to 13:00

Romolo Bianco in concert – Ischia Ponte - Starting at 18:00

Board games and entertainment for children – Forio, Piazza Maltese - Starting at 11:00

Representation acts of Nativity scenes – Forio, Via Torrione - Starting at 16:00

70’s, 80’s and 90’s pop music concert – Forio, Piazza Maltese - Starting at 20:30

Guided tour of the Royal Palace – Ischia, Piazza Antica Reggia - Starting at 10:30

Traditional Neapolitan music concert - Ischia Porto, Palazzo Reale - Starting at 11:30

 
Thursday 31st December 2015

Marching band playing along the streets of Ischia – Piazza degli Eroi - Starting at 11:00

Cod fish festival and food tasting – Panza, Piazza san Leonardo - Starting at 12:00

Cod fish festival and food tasting– Ischia Ponte - Starting at 12:00

Waiting for the New Year – Live party-Ischia Porto, Piazza Antica Reggia - Deejays, live music and fireworks. Starting from 23:30

“Capodanno sotto le stelle!” (New Year under the stars) – Sant’Angelo square - Live music, disco and firework to celebrate the new year. Starting at 23:30

Capodanno in Piazza – Celebrating the arrival of the New Year – Casamicciola, Piazza Marina - Live disco music and party all night long. Starting at 23:30


Friday 1st January 2016

Traditional New Year’s swim at Fisherman's beach (Spiaggia dei Pescatori)– Ischia Ponte - The annual ritual to welcome in the new year with the most courageous swimming into the sea. Food tasting and dancing on the beach. Starting at 12:00

Guided tour of the alleys, towers and churches of the historical centre of Forio –  Meeting point at 15:00 in Forio centre (near the fountain)
 
Christmas opera and classic Neapolitan music concert – Ischia Porto, Cinema Excelsior - Starting at 17:00

Gospel Italian Singer in concert with Will Weldon Robertson. – Panza, Chiesa San Leonardo - Traditional Gospel music concert. Starting at 19:00
 
Gospel Italian Singer in concert with Will Weldon Robertson. – Forio, Chiesa Santa Maria di Loreto - Traditional Gospel music concert. Starting at 21:00

 
Saturday 2nd January 2016

Guided tour of the churches in Casamicciola - Starting at 10:30 at the Church of Santa Maria Maddalena, Casamicciola

“Cantinando”, a journey though the ancient Ischia wine tradition – Panza centre, Piazza San Leonardo - Starting at 10:00, reservation needed, call 0039 081 908436 – 0039 349 612 5250

Guided tours of the historical centre of Ischia Porto and Michelangelo’s Tower - Meeting point at 10:00 in Piazza degli Eroi

Classical music concert performed by the band “La Ghironda” – Ischia, Torre di Michelangelo - Starting at 11:00

The white night – Forio centre - Live music, show and events all night long, starting at 20:00

 
Sunday 3rd January 2016

“Cantinando”, a journey though the ancient Ischia wine tradition – Panza centre, Piazza San Leonardo - Starting at 10:00, reservation needed, call 0039 081 908 436 – 0039 349 612 5250

Christmas songs concert – Succhivo, Chiesetta Santa Maria di Montevergine - Starting at 19:30

Live Nativity representation – Casamicciola, Pio Monte della Misericordia - Starting at 16:00

“Scarium” Live act and storytelling about the ancient alley in Forio, now Via Torrione – Forio, Via Torrione - Performances start at 17:30, 19:00 and 20:30

 
Monday 4th January 2016

Guided tour of the “Osservatorio Geofisico 1885” (Geophysical observatory) in Casamicciola, Via Sentinella - From 09:00 to 13:00

Pithecusa brass band in concert – Chiesa di Santa Maria Annunziata in Campagnano - Starting at 19:00

Hike to Mount Epomeo, Holy Mass and celebration in the church of San Nicola on top of the mountain. Food tasting - Starting at 10:00. Meeting point Fontana square

 
Tuesday 5th January 2016

Treasure hunt for children – Casamicciola, Piazza Marina - Starting at 09:30

Choir concert – Forio Chiesa San Francesco d’Assisi, Piazza Municipio - Starting at 16:00

Pithecusa brass in concert – Fontana, church S. Maria della Mercede - Starting at 19:30

 
Wednesday 6th January 2016

“The 3 kings parade” – Fontana square - Starting at 11:00 

“Ecco i Re Magi” (Here’s the 3 kings). Representation of the Nativity on the beach with the 3 Kings offering gift to baby Jesus – Ischia, Spiaggia dei Pescatori - Starting at 11:30

“La Magia della Befana”  - Ischia Ponte - The old lady offering gifts and sweets to children  - Starting at 12:00

Piano concert – Fontana, Church S. Maria della Mercede - Starting at 19:30

Closing Galà of the festivity season with music and events – Forio, Piazza Maltese - Starting at 19:00


​Article by Silvana Coppa for Ischia Review on Thursday 10th December 2015