You watch from below, and that is the point: the slope is black, then a line of fire starts coming down, drawing the curves. The descents are led by the ski school instructors, between Christmas and Epiphany, on several evenings and in several villages.
In Lavarone they come down at Bertoldi; on the other side of the plateau it is the turn of Fondo Grande, Serrada and Costa di Folgaria. When the descent ends people tend to stay on: it is the moment when the whole village is in one place.
Where it takes place
Bertoldi is 1.6 km from Bazzario. The Folgaria evenings are further away, on the other side of the plateau.
Frequently asked questions
Can I ski in it, or do I watch?
The descent is for the instructors, so from the village you watch. To take part, ask the ski schools or the tourist board site, which handles the bookings.
What should I wear?
Winter mountain evening clothes: you stand still in the cold for a good half hour.
The shortest way home on the plateau. When the torches go out, Bertoldi to Bazzario is a few minutes: a room on the lake and a slow breakfast the next day.
Photos: apt Alpe Cimbra archive.
The calendar
What happens, and when
The marked days have something on: tap one to read it.
December 2026
Running throughout
- Lavarone Christmas Market · 28 November–6 January
- Bosentino craft Christmas market · 5–13 December
What is coming up
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Lavarone Christmas Market
11:00 · Frazione Bertoldi veci · Lavarone
The old hamlet of Bertoldi turns into an open-air nativity scene, with local crafts, Trentino food and mountain cooking. Open on Advent weekends, then daily from 26 December to 6 January, 11am to 7pm.
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Bosentino craft Christmas market
10:00 · Palazzetto del Parco Alberato · Bosentino
The Pro Loco craft market, in its 31st year: handmade pieces only, local producers and associations, all indoors. Free entry, 5 to 8 and 12 to 13 December.
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Bolkhént, the winter opening
18:00 · Da Piazzetta Villa a Piazza San Lorenzo · Folgaria
Winter opens with a parade through the centre of Folgaria, the lighting of the Christmas tree and mulled wine for everyone there.
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I Krampus ai Mercatini di Natale
17:00 · Vie del centro · Folgaria
The horned figures of Alpine folklore come through the centre of Folgaria, from 5 to 6pm.
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Saint Lucy's night
17:00 · Folgaria, Serrada, Carbonare, Lavarone e Lusérn
The night children wait for all year: lantern walks and parades with Saint Lucy and her donkey across the plateau, between 5 and 6.30pm. In Lavarone she walks through the Christmas market at 6pm.
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I Krampus ai Mercatini di Natale
17:00 · Mercatini di Natale · Bosentino
The Krampus come out again, among the stalls of the Bosentino market, from 5 to 6pm.
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I Krampus ai Mercatini di Natale
17:00 · Mercatino di Natale, Fraz. Bertoldi · Lavarone
The Krampus reach the Bertoldi market: one hour, from 5 to 6pm, among the huts and the snow.
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Lusérn gestarn un haüt: the village, then and now
15:30 · Museo Lusérn · Luserna
Costumed figures lead visitors through the museum, telling the crafts and the stories of the Cimbrian village.
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La Zéna Poréta, the poor supper by candlelight
20:00 · Centro Congressi, Fraz. Gionghi · Lavarone
The old poor supper by candlelight: mountain dishes and potato polenta made by the Confraternita della Pult, live music and a raffle at 10pm. Seats are limited, booking required.
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New Year torchlight descents with the ski instructors
18:00 · Bertoldi, Fondo Grande, Serrada e Costa
Ski instructors come down the slopes at night carrying torches: 30 December and 4 January at Bertoldi, the 31st at Fondo Grande and Serrada, 1 January at Costa.
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Moonlight snowshoe walk to the Segheria dei Mein
20:30 · Ritrovo al campanile di San Sebastiano · Folgaria
Three kilometres on snowshoes to the old sawmill, led by the ski school instructors; mulled wine and Trentino sweets at the end. Sign up online at least two days ahead.
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New Year's Eve in Lavarone: Notti Magike
23:00 · Piazza Italia · Lavarone
New Year's Eve in the square at Lavarone, with Italian dance hits from the Eighties to the 2000s, singers and dancers.
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New Year's Eve in Folgaria with Pippo Palmieri
23:00 · Piazza Marconi · Folgaria
In Folgaria's main square, Italian hits from the Eighties to the 2000s with radio host Pippo Palmieri, up to the midnight countdown.
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Vòlti d'inverno, the old cellars open up
18:30 · Nosellari · Folgaria
For one evening the old cellars and vaults of Nosellari open up: torches, live traditional music and dishes cooked by the village. Places are limited.
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Puppet show at the Lusérn Museum
16:00 · Museo Lusérn · Luserna
Truffaldino, the Befana's helper, hunts for the presents stolen by a mischievous dog: an hour of puppet theatre for children and the grown-ups with them.
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Befana day in the square
17:00 · Piazza Marconi · Folgaria
Live music, mulled wine and polenta in the square, with mascots for the children.
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Ciaspomagna Cimbra, snowshoes and food stops
17:00 · Malga Millegrobbe
A snowshoe walk through the Millegrobbe and Lusérn woods, with food stops at the malga and at Baita del Neff.
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Prove Libere Tour, free ski test
09:00 · Fondo Grande, pista Salizzona · Folgaria
Free ski test on the Salizzona slope: 23 and 24 January open to everyone, 25 and 26 for the trade. From 9am to 2pm.
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Ciaspomagna Cimbra, snowshoes and food stops
17:00 · Malga Millegrobbe
Second date of the snowshoe walk with food stops in the Millegrobbe and Lusérn woods.
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Alpe Cimbra FIS Children Cup
Loc. Fondo Grande · Folgaria
More than eight hundred young ski racers from around the world: slalom and giant slalom at Fondo Grande, prize-giving on the 30th at 3.30pm in Folgaria.
Events run by the local area, not by Bazzario: dates and times are those given by the organisers and may change.
