Carosello, the Christmas market of Cimego, returns from 29 November to 20 December 2026 in the medieval village of Quartinago, in Valle del Chiese (Trentino). It runs for nine days of opening and brings together old stone cellars, around fifty exhibitors, traditional polenta dishes, historical re-enactments and the Gran Ballo delle Streghe, the Witches’ Grand Ball.
The market is open from 10 am to 6 pm on Sunday 29 November, from Saturday 5 to Tuesday 8 December, on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 December, and on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 December. The official opening ceremony takes place on Sunday 29 November from 4 pm, with the Banda Sociale di Cimego, the village’s brass band.
Courtyards, passageways and cellars instead of wooden huts
In Quartinago the route is not lined with wooden huts. Instead, the passageways, courtyards and stone cellars of the old village open their doors to nearly fifty exhibitors, including craftspeople and food producers.
The programme includes demonstrations by basket weavers and blacksmiths, woodworking and wood carving, bobbin lace and sewing, a nativity scene exhibition, and “Immagini dal passato” (“Images from the past”), a collection of vintage photographs and films about the people, places and traditions of the valley. Concerts, wandering musicians, urban trekking, story readings for children, workshops and guided visits to the little church of Sant’Antonio and to Casa Marascalchi, a museum of rural life, round out the days. Families can also visit Santa Claus’s House.
Three polentas made with Storo cornmeal
The food revolves around yellow cornmeal from Storo, used to prepare three local specialities: polenta Macafana, Carbonera and the black polenta of the Witches. Alongside the polentas, other local specialities are on sale and available to taste in the cosy refuges and warm corners of the village, with hot drinks and steaming dishes.
Witches, Fra Dolcino and Landsknechts
Part of the programme draws on the history of the village, which saw witch trials and, in the early fourteenth century, hosted the preaching of the heretic Fra Dolcino, accompanied by Margherita. Among his closest followers was the master blacksmith Alberto da Cimego, remembered by the sculpture that welcomes visitors at the entrance to the village.
From this memory comes the Gran Ballo delle Streghe, a performance between dance and atmosphere, scheduled for 8, 13 and 19 December at 5 pm. Witches also appear by surprise in the lanes at any time. The Landsknechts, meanwhile, will set up a sixteenth-century historical camp, re-enacting the passage of the Landsknecht troops through Valle del Chiese on their way to Rome in 1527. The re-enactors will also prepare spit-roasted meat and bread following old customs.
A market born in 2011
Carosello is organised by the association Eventi Valle del Chiese APS. “The Cimego market was born in 2011 and, year after year, it has grown thanks to the enthusiasm of many people who share a love for our village and for Valle del Chiese,” says president Graziano Tamburini.
Compared with last year’s edition, the 2026 calendar has more days. “This year we have extended the opening days to respond to visitors’ requests,” Tamburini adds. “We want to showcase traditions, products, craftspeople and history more and more. Carosello is a way to keep our roots alive and to share a heritage that belongs to all of us.”
