Guides · Gubbio
Christmas in Gubbio 2026: World's Largest Christmas Tree
By Viktorija Dvariskyte · Marketing Manager
Marketing Manager
Christmas in Gubbio is famous for one spectacular sight: the world's largest Christmas tree, a giant outline of lights stretching up the slopes of Monte Ingino above this medieval town in Umbria. The tree is lit every year on 7 December, the eve of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, and the 2026 lighting is again scheduled for that date. It has held a Guinness World Record since 1991.
Around the tree, the town's festive programme includes a Christmas market with Tyrolean-style stalls, a Ferris wheel, Santa's House and a life-size nativity scene in the medieval San Martino quarter. In 2025, the Gubbio è Natale festival ran from 22 November to 6 January. This guide covers the 5 best ways to enjoy Christmas in Gubbio, each with the address, how to get there and a Pro Tip. Where 2026 details had not been announced, we give last year's information.
The order starts with the tree lighting in Piazza Quaranta Martiri, visits the market, Christmas Land and the nativity, and climbs Monte Ingino by cable car.
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1Christmas Market in Piazza Quaranta Martiri - Tyrolean-Style Stalls
Gubbio's Christmas market fills Piazza Quaranta Martiri, the large square at the foot of the medieval town, with Tyrolean-style wooden stalls from late November. Stalls sell crafts, decorations, Umbrian food and festive treats, with the Christmas tree glowing on the mountain above.
The square also hosts the Grande Ruota del Polo Nord, a Ferris wheel offering views over the town and the illuminated tree. In 2025, the market was part of the Gubbio è Natale programme, which ran from 22 November to 6 January.
The square takes its name from 40 local people who were executed during the Second World War, and a memorial stands nearby.
2Christmas Land and Santa's House - Fun for Families
In recent years, Gubbio has run a Christmas Land circuit for families, with a Santa's Passport that leads children through hidden corners of the town. Stops have included a children's library, a wishing well inside the Convent of San Francesco and Santa's House near the market.
Passports have been sold online and at a ticket office in Piazza Quaranta Martiri. The circuit encourages visitors to explore the medieval town and discover places they might otherwise miss.
Check the Gubbio è Natale programme for the 2026 activities, dates and ticket prices, as the details change from year to year. It is a fun way to experience Christmas in Gubbio with children.
3San Martino Nativity - Life-Size Figures in the Medieval Lanes
In the medieval San Martino quarter, a nativity scene with life-size figures winds through the narrow lanes, arches and courtyards, recreating scenes of daily life from the past. Artisans and artists bring characters to life in traditional trades, leading visitors to the central scene of the Nativity.
The nativity has traditionally opened from 8 December, according to listings, and is free to visit. The setting, among stone houses beside the Camignano stream, makes it one of the most atmospheric nativity displays in Umbria.
The quarter is especially beautiful in the evening, when the lanes are softly lit, and it is a highlight of Christmas in Gubbio.
Check dates for Gubbio
See what is available on your dates.
4The World's Largest Christmas Tree - Lighting on 7 December
Since 1981, volunteers have built a giant Christmas tree of lights on the slopes of Monte Ingino behind Gubbio. Around 750 metres tall and 450 metres wide at the base, it is outlined by hundreds of lights and topped by a star covering about 1,000 square metres. It has held the Guinness World Record as the world's largest Christmas tree since 1991.
The tree is lit every year on 7 December in a ceremony in Piazza Quaranta Martiri, which has involved prominent figures over the years, including Pope Francis. In 2025, the lighting took place at 6.30pm and the tree stayed lit until 12 January 2026.
The tree is best seen from a distance, and it is visible for kilometres across the surrounding countryside.
5Funivia Colle Eletto - Cable Car up Monte Ingino
The Colle Eletto cable car, with its open cages for one or two people, climbs Monte Ingino to the Basilica of Sant'Ubaldo, the town's patron saint. The ride offers views over Gubbio and the countryside, and passes close to the giant Christmas tree.
At the top, visitors can visit the basilica, which houses the body of Saint Ubaldo and the famous Ceri, the giant wooden pillars carried in the town's May festival. Paths lead to the ruins of the old fortress.
The cable car's winter opening hours are limited and it may close in bad weather, so check before you go.
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Christmas in Gubbio 2026: The World's Largest Christmas Tree - FAQ
The world's largest Christmas tree in Gubbio is lit every year on 7 December, the eve of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. In 2025, the lighting took place at 6.30pm, and the tree stayed lit until 12 January 2026.
The Gubbio Christmas tree is around 750 metres tall and 450 metres wide at the base, outlined by hundreds of lights on the slopes of Monte Ingino. Its star covers about 1,000 square metres.
Yes. Gubbio's Christmas market fills Piazza Quaranta Martiri with Tyrolean-style stalls from late November, as part of the Gubbio è Natale programme, which ran from 22 November to 6 January in 2025.
Yes. The market, Christmas Land, the San Martino nativity and the cable car are all within walking distance in the historic centre. Visit after dark to see the illuminated tree at its best.
Gubbio has no railway station. Buses run from Perugia, about an hour away, and the nearest railway station is at Fossato di Vico, with a connecting bus. Driving is the easiest option, with car parks near the historic centre.
Try torta al testo (Umbrian flatbread) filled with cured meats or greens, dishes with local black truffle, and panpepato, a spiced Christmas cake from Umbria. Pair them with a glass of Umbrian red wine.
The tree covers the slopes of Monte Ingino above the town, so you see it best from below. Piazza Quaranta Martiri and the lower streets of the historic centre give the classic view, and it is visible from miles away as you drive towards Gubbio after dark.
Yes. The Gubbio tree was recognised by Guinness World Records as the world's largest Christmas tree in 1991. It is made of lights laid out on the mountainside rather than a real tree, and volunteers set it up every year.
Visit after the tree is lit on 7 December, and plan to stay into the evening, when the lights are switched on. The lighting night itself draws big crowds, so a weekday later in December is quieter if you just want to see the tree and the market.
Gubbio sits on a hillside in the Apennines, so December days are cool and nights can drop close to freezing. Bring a warm coat, hat and gloves, especially if you take the open cable car up Monte Ingino or stay out late to see the tree.
