by InTrieste
Trieste’s holiday market tradition is expanding beyond the city center this year, with new seasonal events planned in the neighborhoods of Roiano and San Giacomo.
The markets were presented Wednesday morning at a press conference in the Sala Giunta by Serena Tonel, Trieste’s deputy mayor and city councillor for economic policies, and Elena Pellaschiar, vice president of Confcommercio Trieste. Representatives from the neighborhood associations “Roiano per tutti” and “San Giacomo” also attended.
Following the success of the Christmas market in the city center, the initiative, organized by the provincial Confcommercio’s Technical Assistance Center for Businesses (CAT Terziaria Venezia Giulia), aims to bring the festive atmosphere to these emblematic city districts. The events are promoted by the Trieste Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) and align with municipal and Confcommercio strategies to enhance neighborhood vitality, support local businesses, and strengthen local economies.
“Today we are presenting two beautiful holiday initiatives that complement the Christmas market in Trieste’s city center,” Tonel said. She added that the projects have doubled this year, with Roiano returning after last year’s positive reception and San Giacomo hosting a market for the first time. “Neighborhoods like Roiano and San Giacomo have strong social and territorial cohesion, which we aim to leverage to create initiatives throughout the year that can support local commerce,” Tonel said.
The Roiano market will run from Monday, December 15, through Tuesday, December 23, with an official opening ceremony on December 15 at 5 p.m. Nine market stalls will offer holiday goods and artisanal products, alongside booths for nonprofit organizations such as LILT Trieste, Comunità di Sant’Egidio, AISM, and Associazione De Banfield. Additional events organized by “Roiano per tutti” include a Red Cross meeting, a theater performance titled Oltre quella sedia, musical performances by Banda Berimbau, Filarmonica di Santa Barbara, and singer-songwriter Jethro Veronese, as well as activities for children including face painting and a visit from Santa Claus.
San Giacomo will host its first Christmas market from Friday, December 19, through Sunday, December 21, with an inauguration at 5 p.m. on December 19. The market will feature eight stalls offering seasonal goods, alongside entertainment and activities aimed primarily at children.
Pellaschiar noted that the choice to focus on Roiano and San Giacomo reflects the success of last year’s Roiano market and the strong response to the neighborhood’s Patron Saint festivities. “These initiatives also support ongoing neighborhood revitalization efforts under the Vivi Trieste Commerce District, which identified these two neighborhoods as pilot areas due to their active commercial networks, rooted community associations, and established traditions,” she said.
