Christmas in Reggio Calabria: petrali, nativity scenes and villages

For Christmas in Reggio Calabria you have four reasons to travel: the petrali, the living nativity scenes of the province, the Museum of the Riace Bronzes and the villages less than two hours away by road. The climate remains mild: 13.6 °C on average, with 8 rainy days in the month (1991-2020 averages). Data verified as of 5 October 2026.

What are petrali, the Christmas cake of Reggio Calabria

Petrals are half-moons of shortcrust pastry filled with dried figs, walnuts, almonds and raisins, prepared in the days before Christmas. The filling also includes cooked wine, honey, bitter cocoa, coffee, grated citrus peel, cinnamon and cloves. After baking, they are decorated with sugar, colored sprinkles (the devils), chocolate or icing.

How long should the filling rest

In Reggio family recipes, the filling macerates three to four days before being used. The recipe published by greenMe in December 2024 indicates 3 or 4 days, stirring occasionally, and a five-minute boiling before filling the pastry. Linkiesta, in December 2022, speaks of at least three days and links the dessert to Arab influences in Calabrian cuisine. Valentina Harris' regional cookbook (2017), on the other hand, indicates 12 hours of rest.

Petrals are mainly made at home. In 2022, Linkiesta reported the Malavenda pastry shop, next to the National Archaeological Museum, among the producers.

In the Calabria Christmas Traditions package, Christmas cuisine has a dedicated morning. On the sixth day, from 10 am to 1 pm, there is a Calabrian cooking workshop with tasting, including ingredients. The program does not list the recipes: if you are interested in petrali, ask what dishes are planned when you send the request.

Living nativity scenes in the province of Reggio Calabria: where and when

As of October 5, 2026, none of the living nativity scenes in the province has published the dates of the 2026 edition. In past years, the programs were released in December. Here you will find the documented past editions, useful for understanding the period and times.

Ortì: the medieval nativity scene above Reggio

Ortì is a hilly hamlet of Reggio Calabria, 650 meters above sea level and about 20 km by road from the historic center. The medieval living nativity scene is organized by the Parish of Santa Maria di Loreto with the Providence association. The first edition was held from December 26, 2023 to January 6, 2024, with 30 participants and over 4,000 visitors. The second was scheduled for December 26 and 28, 2024 and January 6, 2025, with a doubled route through shops, taverns, stables and the cave of the Nativity in the alleys of the ancient village.

Melicucco, in the Plain of Gioia Tauro

The living nativity scene of Melicucco in 2022 was in its 35th edition, among the longest-running in Calabria according to LaC News24. The calendar of that year included the procession of Christmas Eve at midnight, the performances of December 25 from 4:30 pm, December 26 and January 1, and the arrival of the Three Wise Men on horseback on January 6.

San Giorgio Morgeto

In San Giorgio Morgeto, the living nativity scene is entrusted to the children of the village. In 2023 it was in its 24th edition, open on December 26 and January 1 from 4 to 7:30 p.m. In the catoji, the old warehouses of the historic center, ancient crafts are reconstructed with eighteenth-century tools.

Living nativity scenes are not included in the Calabria Christmas Traditions package. The package notes specify it: markets and nativity scenes depend on local calendars. The afternoons of the second and sixth day are free: to reach a nativity scene outside the city you can ask for a tailor-made itinerary with driver, for groups of 2 to 8 people.

The Riace Bronze Museum open during the holidays

The National Archaeological Museum of Reggio Calabria (MArRC) is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 9 am to 8 pm, with last admission at 7:30 pm. The ordinary ticket costs €10 (rates in force from 1 July 2024), €2 from 18 to 25 years old, free under 18 years old. The museum is in Piazza De Nava, at the beginning of Corso Garibaldi.

Special Christmas openings

As of October 5, 2026, the museum has not yet published the 2026-27 holiday calendar. As a reference, the Christmas 2025 calendar, announced on December 5, 2025, applies:

8 December 2025: special opening from 9 am to 8 pm, with ordinary ticket.
Evenings for €5: 6, 13, 19 and 27 December from 8 pm to 11 pm; on 20 December until midnight.
29 December 2025: daytime opening at €5 from 10 am to 1 pm.
1 January 2026: exceptional opening from 10 am to 2 pm and from 4 pm to 8 pm.
5 and 6 January 2026: non-stop from 9 am to 8 pm, with ordinary ticket.
Free admission: Sunday, December 7, 2025 and Sunday, January 4, 2026.

In 2024, the museum was closed on December 25. Until December 10, 2026, work is underway on the facades of Palazzo Piacentini, which according to the museum does not change the visit to the rooms.

The package includes a guided tour of the center and admission to the museum on the second day, from 9 am to 1 pm. If you don't take the full package, the Reggio City + Museum Tour lasts 3 and a half hours, starts from Piazza Duomo and combines the guided walk with a visit to the Riace Bronzes, in Italian or English. It costs from €85 per person, with a 25% discount from 6 people.

Villages to see in December around Reggio Calabria

Scilla, Pentedattilo, Bova and Gerace can all be reached in a day from Reggio, between about 20 minutes and an hour and a half by car. In December the days are short: leave at 9 and return before dark.

Scilla and Chianalea (about 23 km)

North of Reggio, on the Costa Viola, Scilla has the Ruffo Castle on the promontory and the Chianalea district with houses built on the water. The package is the third day, from 9 to 16, with a guided tour and typical lunch included.

Pentedattilo and Bova, the Grecanica Area (35-55 km)

Pentedattilo is the abandoned village under the hand-shaped cliff. Bova is considered the capital of Calabria grecanica. In the package you visit them together on the fourth day, from 9 to 16, with typical lunch included.

Gerace (about 90 km)

On the Ionian side, Gerace preserves the medieval historic center and the Cathedral. In the package it is the fifth day, from 9 to 17, with a guided tour; lunch is free.

You can also visit the same villages with the single experiences: Scilla Experience, Pentedattilo & Bova and Gerace Experience, all departing from Piazza Indipendenza.

What the weather is like in Reggio Calabria in December

In December, the average temperature in Reggio Calabria is 13.6 °C, with lows of 10.5 °C and highs of 16.7 °C (1991-2020 averages). It rains on average 8 days a month, for a total of 75 mm, with 3.5 hours of sunshine per day. The notes of the Calabria Christmas Traditions package warn that visits to the villages include walks with steps and differences in height: bring shoes with non-slip soles, a waterproof jacket and an umbrella.

Calabria Christmas Traditions: what the package includes

Calabria Christmas Traditions is Athena ETC's package for Christmas in Calabria: it lasts 6 nights and 7 days, based in a boutique B&B in the center of Reggio Calabria, for groups of 2 to 15 people. The price starts from € 1,754.75 per person with four people in a quadruple room and varies according to the accommodation. A progressive discount of up to 35% is active on the site linked to the number of participants. Departures are in December.

Included: 6 nights with breakfast, arrival and departure transfer from Reggio Calabria or Villa San Giovanni, welcome aperitif, 4 lunches or dinners, guided tours of Reggio, Scilla and Chianalea, Pentedattilo and Bova, Gerace, entrance to the National Archaeological Museum, transport for excursions, cooking class, remote assistance.
Excluded: flights, trains and ferries, tourist tax, personal extras. The transfer to and from Lamezia Terme airport is excluded and can be organized on request.
Payment: 25% deposit upon confirmation.

How to book with Athena ETC

Athena ETC services are reserved for members: registration is done online from the Join us page. From the Calabria Christmas Traditions package page choose the departure and accommodation and send the request. For groups or for the transfer from Lamezia write to info@athenaetc.com or call +39 379 14 92 736.

Frequently asked questions about Christmas in Reggio Calabria

What are Petrals?

Christmas sweets from Reggio Calabria in the shape of a crescent: thin pastry filled with dried figs, walnuts, almonds, raisins, cooked wine and honey.

How long does it take to prepare the petrali?

The filling macerates from 3 to 4 days in Reggio family recipes; the pastry rests for half an hour and cooking takes place in the oven at 180 ° C.

What living nativity scenes are there in the province of Reggio Calabria?

Among those documented: Ortì, a hilly hamlet of Reggio (2023-24 and 2024-25 editions), Melicucco (35th edition in 2022) and San Giorgio Morgeto (24th edition in 2023).

Have the dates of the 2026 living nativity scenes already come out?

No, as of October 5, 2026, there are no announced dates. In past editions, performances were concentrated between December 24 and January 6.

Is the Riace Bronze Museum open at Christmas?

The 2026 calendar is not yet published. In 2024, the museum was closed on December 25; in 2025-26, it opened extraordinarily on December 8, January 1, and January 5.

What is the weather like in Reggio Calabria in December?

Mild: 13.6 °C average, lows of 10.5 °C, 8 rainy days and sea at 16.5 °C (1991-2020 averages).

How long does the Calabria Christmas Traditions package last?

6 nights and 7 days, from € 1,754.75 per person in a quadruple room, for groups of 2 to 15 people, based in Reggio Calabria.

Is the transfer from Lamezia airport included?

No. Transfers from Reggio Calabria or Villa San Giovanni are included; transfers from Lamezia Terme can be arranged on request.

Which villages are visited in the package?

Scilla and Chianalea, Pentedattilo and Bova in the Grecanica Area, and Gerace, each in one day with guide and transport included.

Christmas in Reggio Calabria: petrali, nativity scenes and villages to see in December