Christmas markets near Peschiera del Garda: the 7 most beautiful between the lake and Verona

When you think of Peschiera del Garda, you probably picture the blue lake, beach days and summer holidays. But Lake Garda doesn’t switch off in winter: under the Christmas lights, its villages and nearby cities turn into enchanted towns — perfect if you’re looking for some of the most charming Christmas markets near Peschiera del Garda.

In this article, you’ll find 7 Christmas markets near Peschiera del Garda, all easy to reach by car. From the Lake Nativity Scene in Peschiera to the Flover Christmas Village in Bussolengo, passing through Garda, Bardolino, Lazise, Desenzano and unmissable Verona.

1. Peschiera del Garda: markets and the Lake Nativity Scene

Let’s start “at home”: Peschiera del Garda hosts a full programme of Christmas events every year across the historic centre and the bastions. In the square and along the streets, you’ll find small Christmas markets, chalets with local products, sweets, gift ideas and plenty of entertainment for families and children.

The true symbol of Christmas in Peschiera, however, is the striking underwater nativity scene in the Canale di Mezzo. Here, the Holy Family and the other figures are placed on the canal bed, right where the lake meets the River Mincio. You can admire it throughout the festive period from the San Giovanni Bridge, especially in the evening when the lights make the scene even more enchanting.

 

2. Garda: “Natale tra gli Olivi” – Garda Christmas Village

Just a few kilometres from Peschiera, Garda hosts one of the best-known events on the southern shore of the lake: Natale tra gli Olivi – Garda Christmas Village, a Christmas village set up along the Regina Adelaide lakeside promenade and in the streets of the centre. Wooden chalets, the scent of spices and lights reflected on the water create an atmosphere that feels almost Nordic, but with the milder climate of Lake Garda. The 2025–2026 programme confirms the market, children’s entertainment, live music and plenty of local food and wine specialities.  

3. Bardolino: big wheel and market on the lakeside

Bardolino is one of the most popular destinations even in winter: during the Christmas period the town turns into a real Christmas village on Lake Garda. The lakeside promenade and Parco Carrara Bottagisio host the market, with wooden chalets, typical food and wine, and crafts. The 2025 calendar includes markets from 22 November to 6 January, with around 40 exhibitors, a big wheel, ice rink, Christmas train and Santa’s House, designed especially for children.  

4. Lazise: markets between historic walls and lakeside

Lazise offers a very atmospheric Christmas market between Piazza Vittorio Emanuele and the Marconi lakeside, framed by the town walls and little harbour. The chalets sell crafts, local products and street food, with a scenography that highlights the architecture of the village. In recent years, the programme has also included a large ice rink and numerous events such as fun runs with a Christmas theme, live music and children’s entertainment.  

5. Desenzano del Garda: lights, ice rink and city vibes

Crossing over to the Lombardy side, Desenzano del Garda offers a lively Christmas, with markets and light installations between Piazza Malvezzi, Piazza Matteotti and the castle. The “Luci e Note di Natale” programme includes:

• an ice rink in Piazza Cappelletti, overlooking the lake
• craft markets on December weekends
• concerts, shows and entertainment throughout the streets of the centre

Desenzano is perfect if you love Christmas markets but don’t want to miss out on the atmosphere of a “small lakeside city”, with shops, bars and restaurants open in the evening too.  

6. Verona: Christmas markets between Piazza Bra and the historic centre

Less than an hour from Peschiera, Verona is a must if you love Christmas markets. From 21 November to 28 December 2025, the historic centre turns into a large Christmas village, with the main area in Piazza Bra at the foot of the Arena and extensions into Piazza dei Signori and Piazza Sacco e Vanzetti.

The Verona Christmas Markets 2025 will include around 60 wooden chalets created in collaboration with the Christkindlmarkt of Nuremberg, offering handicrafts, food specialities and traditional sweets. There will also be themed areas by Flover, Santa’s House near Palazzo Barbieri and ice rinks in the Arsenale area.

For all the latest information on opening times, events and maps of the different areas, you can visit the official Verona Christmas Markets website.  

7. Bussolengo: Flover Christmas Village

We finish with one of the most iconic Christmas locations in Veneto: the Flover Christmas Village in Bussolengo, a real paradise for anyone who loves decorations, miniature villages and themed displays. The Village is open from 8 November 2025 to 6 January 2026, every day from 9:00 to 19:30 (closed only on 25 December and 1 January). Inside you’ll find:

• scenic indoor routes, perfect even on rainy days
• themed areas, shows and Santa’s House for children
• an enormous selection of Christmas decorations, trees, lights and ideas for your home

It’s the ideal stop if you want to devote a whole day to Christmas, with themed shopping, photo opportunities and special moments with the family.  

Christmas markets near Peschiera del Garda: enjoying the lake all year round

  The Christmas markets near Peschiera del Garda offer a different way to rediscover places you may already know in their summer version. Indeed, the same villages that smell of sun cream and ice cream in summer now light up with fairy lights, wooden chalets and ice rinks in winter. And if you love staying at Del Garda Village & Camping in summer, you can use this guide as inspiration to come back to the area in the winter season too, enjoying the magic of the holidays between the shores of the lake and the lights of Verona.