Living nativity scenes and cribs on the Sorrento Peninsula

The Sorrento Peninsula has three living nativity scenes worth planning for, Fornacelle in Vico Equense, Monticchio in Massa Lubrense and the new route through the old town of Sorrento, plus several exhibitions of Neapolitan cribs open from December to January. Here are the 2025/26 dates and times, the latest official ones; the 2026/27 dates are usually released in December and we add them to the nativity scenes section of our calendar.

The Neapolitan presepe

Here the nativity scene, the presepe, is a family tradition rather than a decoration. The first document mentioning a presepe in Naples dates from 1021, and the 18th century under Charles of Bourbon is considered its golden age, when noble families competed to stage ever richer scenes. From that era come the characters you will meet on the peninsula too: Benino, the sleeping shepherd whose dream is the nativity itself; Ciccibacco, the wine seller; the tavern, symbol of the world that turned the Holy Family away; and the trades, from fishmonger to baker. In Naples, Via San Gregorio Armeno is the street of the crib workshops.

Sorrento's living nativity: "Araprite 'e purtune"

Since 2025 Sorrento's living nativity has been a walk through the historic centre. Called "Araprite 'e purtune… ncè stà 'o Presepio" ("open the doors, the nativity is here") and organised by the Fondazione Sorrento, it ran on 28, 29 and 30 December 2025, 5:30–8:30 pm, starting from Piazza Tasso, free of charge. Instead of one venue (until 2024 the Bishop's gardens), the scenes are spread among the lanes and old doorways of the town, inspired by the 18th-century Neapolitan crib. Easy to fit in before dinner if you stay in the centre.

Fornacelle living nativity, Vico Equense

Fornacelle's is the best known on the coast and involves a whole hillside hamlet above Vico Equense. Organised by the parish of SS. Pietro e Paolo in the Torricella area, it reached its 10th edition in 2025/26:

• 2025/26 dates: 26–28 December; 1–3, 5 and 6 January, plus extra dates on 10 and 11 January;
• hours: 6–9 pm;
• entry: free, donations welcome;
• parking: three car parks and one for motorbikes; the route is wheelchair accessible.

Expect scenes of daily life and old crafts, animals, soft lighting and the smell of cooking, with zeppole and local produce stalls at the exit. Official site: presepefornacelle.it. Go on a weekday or early to avoid queues; you need a car or taxi to get there.

Monticchio living nativity, Massa Lubrense

Monticchio's living nativity takes place in the 18th-century monastery of SS. Rosario, with its majolica-tiled cloister, organised by the Carpe Diem association with the nuns. The cloister and underground rooms become a village of ancient Palestine, from the nativity grotto to Herod's court, alongside classic Neapolitan scenes such as the tavern, the market and the fortune teller. In 2025/26 it was open on 27–28 December and 1–2, 4–6 January, 6–8:30 pm. It is smaller and more theatrical than Fornacelle.

Nativity exhibitions

• Villa Fiorentino, Sorrento: "Giuseppe Ercolano and the Masters of the Nativity", 1 December to 18 January, 250+ figures over three floors; free, 10 am–1 pm and 4–7 pm (8 pm at weekends and holidays), mornings only on 24 and 31 December, from 5 pm on 25 December and 1 January.
• SS. Annunziata church, Vico Equense: "Il Presepe Napoletano", 7th edition, 7 December to 10 January.
• Meta: an artistic Neapolitan crib in the chapel of the Arciconfraternita SS. Immacolata, 25 December to 6 January, 9 am–12 pm and 5–8 pm.
• Piano di Sorrento: a trail of cribs in the town's hamlets, 26 December to 11 January.
• Monte Faito: in 2025 a tourist train toured artisans' cribs on 14, 21, 26 and 28 December, 10:30 am–3 pm.

The "Il Presepe Oggi" contest

"Il Presepe Oggi" is the peninsula's nativity competition, run by Sorrento's Centro di Studi e Ricerche Bartolommeo Capasso with the town's support; 2025/26 was its 46th edition. Families, parishes, associations and schools take part in categories ranging from home cribs to miniatures and living nativities. A jury visits the entries between late December and early January, and the awards are given in January: on 18 January in 2026, in Sorrento's SS. Annunziata church.

Epiphany: the Pacchianelle and the Christ Child procession

On 6 January the nativity takes to the streets. In Vico Equense the Pacchianelle parade features over 300 people in costumes inspired by the 18th-century crib, bringing gifts to the Child (115th edition in 2026, from San Vito church at 2:30 pm). In Sorrento the procession of the Christ Child with shepherds and bagpipers leaves the Carmine church in the evening (7:30 pm in 2026).

Planning tips

• Between 27 and 30 December almost everything is open: ideal if you come for New Year's Eve.
• In Sorrento you can combine the living nativity and Villa Fiorentino on foot in one evening.
• Fornacelle and Monticchio are up in the hills: you need a car, taxi or transfer.
• Dates change every year and some evenings are cancelled in heavy rain: always check the current programme.

Useful links

• All nativity scenes in the events calendar
• Christmas in Vico Equense · Christmas in Massa Lubrense
• Christmas in Sorrento: lights, markets and events
• New Year packages with hotel stay