6 August 2026 · 4 min min read
Christmas and New Year in Livigno: What to Expect
Spending Christmas and New Year in Livigno means waking up to snow-covered mountains outside your window and skiing on slopes that, during this period, are almost always guaranteed by natural snow thanks to the altitude. It's also one of the busiest times of year, so planning ahead really makes a difference. Here's what to expect.
The town in its festive dress
In the weeks around the holidays, Livigno's pedestrian centre lights up with decorations and Christmas lights, and it's common to find markets with local crafts and Valtellina specialities. It's the ideal time for an evening stroll through the centre after a day of skiing, perhaps stopping for a hot chocolate.
Skiing over the holidays
The lifts stay open throughout the Christmas period, barring any exceptional weather-related closures. Since this is one of the busiest times of year, it's worth buying your ski pass online in advance and, if possible, avoiding the first days of January to skip the queues at the ticket offices. Families travelling with children should book ski lessons well ahead: ski schools fill up quickly during the Christmas and New Year weeks.
New Year's Eve in the square
On New Year's Eve, Livigno traditionally hosts a party in the main square with music and a fireworks display visible from several points in town — a different way to celebrate than a classic city dinner, with snow and mountains as the backdrop.
Why you should book well in advance
Between Christmas and New Year, Livigno reaches one of its highest occupancy rates of the year: the best accommodation (especially anything close to the lifts) sells out months in advance. An apartment like Ironwood Livigno, with a fully equipped kitchen, is handy during this period too for anyone wanting to organise a relaxed Christmas lunch with family, without depending on a restaurant's opening hours, and to end the day with a private sauna instead of queuing for a shared spa.
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