Father Christmas on a bicycle and on horseback, travelling bagpipers, theatre and Christmas music and – brand new – “The throwing of Panforte”. An increasingly rich “Natale Castellano” is coming up next weekend (Saturday and Sunday, shops open) with lots of free entertainment that is sure to arouse curiosity, interest and, above all, excitement and joy for all children. But let’s proceed in order.
It begins on Saturday afternoon (3.00 p.m.) with an artistic itinerary between the Be.Go. Museum, the Cambio Cultural Centre and the streets of the town centre, while at 3.30 p.m., to coincide with the opening of the Christmas market, Santa’s House will host a Christmas workshop with Gloria, organised by the Vallesiana Municipal Library. Almost simultaneously, the travelling bagpipers will take to the stage, filling the streets of the city centre with their unmistakable melody and creating a particularly evocative Christmas atmosphere. In the evening (9.00 p.m.), head to the Teatro del Popolo for “The Nutcracker”, one of Petr’s most famous ballets, performed by Trivia Aps.
On Sunday afternoon (from 3 p.m.), everyone is invited to Piazza Kennedy for “Santa Claus & Friends”, organised by Spac Trekking and Polisportiva I’Giglio: Santa Claus on horseback, accompanied by some elves, will offer all children who wish to do so the chance to experience the thrill of a short “ride” within a marked-out area (4 horses available, with entry limited to 4 parents and 4 children at a time, who will wear safety equipment). A little later (at 3.30 pm), there will be an event in Via Testaferrata called “Mani in festa”, where you can enjoy workshops, stories, face painting and biscuits.
At the same time, dozens of Father Christmases on bicycles (the “La Rotonda” group) will burst into the streets of the city centre, bringing their load of joy and happiness. To take a souvenir photo with them, they will stop in Via Bovio (Vaso blu) and then continue on to Piazza Gramsci, where they will hold a delightful chestnut roast. Professional photos with a themed background will also be taken by the “Giglio Rosso” Photography Group at the Oratorio di San Carlo, from 4.00 p.m. onwards (also with Minutera).
At 5.00 p.m. in Via Testaferrata, “The Throwing of Panforte”, together with Prociv Arci and “Amici di Castello” association. This is an ancient Christmas tradition, widespread in Tuscany and particularly in the Siena area, which consists of throwing the panforte along a wooden board without letting it fall. Whoever gets closest to the edge of the table wins the panforte. At the same time (5.00 p.m.), the Teatro del Popolo will host the Music School’s “Christmas recital”, organised by the Orpheus Association.
Finally, in the upper historic centre, make way for the “Via dei Presepi”, with fifty wonderful creations to discover (open Saturday, Sunday and public holidays from 3.00 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.).
