December in Le Marche feels like a gentle shift into stillness; soft lights glowing across medieval piazzas, warm kitchens filled with citrus and spice, and landscapes wrapped in quiet winter beauty.

If Autumn celebrates harvest, December celebrates traditions, gratitude and the deep flavours of Italian winter cooking. It’s a time to slow down, linger at the table, wander through villages glowing with festive light, and experience Christmas the way Italy has always done it: with heart, flavour and community.

Panettone – Italy’s Christmas Loaf

Nothing signals the arrival of Christmas in Italy like panettone.

By early December, bakeries across Le Marche fill their windows with tall golden loaves wrapped in ribbon, each one soft, fragrant and beautifully crafted. Candied citrus, butter and vanilla perfume the air and guests arrive carrying panettoni as gifts of affection and tradition.

Panettone is served all month long: after dinner with a glass of local sweet wine, as an afternoon treat with espresso, or toasted the next morning with mascarpone or butter.

It is the flavour of an Italian Christmas: warm, comforting, nostalgic and unmistakably festive.

The Flavours of December

Winter in Le Marche is culinary comfort at its finest.

As the hills fall quiet, kitchens come alive with slow-simmered sauces, roasted vegetables, handmade pasta and dishes that have been passed down for generations.

Some of the season’s most loved flavours include:

• Truffle-scented dishes – from simple buttered tagliatelle to delicate eggs
• New-season olive oil – bright, peppery and poured generously over everything
• Rich brodetto fish stew – a coastal winter favourite
• Verdicchio, Lacrima and Montepulciano wines – perfect for long evening meals
• Ragù and polenta – slowly cooked for hours
• Homemade cappelletti in brood – a traditional Christmas comfort dish

December food is made to gather around; hearty, unhurried and full of the warmth that winter invites.

Nature in Stillness

Winter brings a beautiful calm to the region.

The Adriatic coastline turns silver in the cool light, perfect for peaceful morning walks along empty beaches. The Sibillini Mountains take on soft snow-dusted tones, inviting scenic drives and quiet hikes through crisp woodland trails.

And then there are the Frasassi Caves, offering a different kind of winter warmth. Inside their vast natural chambers, the temperature stays steady and comfortable, creating a surreal contrast to the chill outside. It’s one of the region’s most serene winter experiences.

The Spirit of the Season

A Moment of Gratitude

December naturally turns us toward reflection.

As the year closes, we feel immense gratitude for every retreat host, family, and group of friends who stayed with us at Oliveto Estate. Your celebrations, retreats, shared meals, early-morning coffees, and evenings on the hillside shaped the rhythm of the estate this year.

We are already excited to welcome so many of you back again next year, along with new guests who will make their own memories here for the very first time.

Festive Traditions & Markets

Le Marche’s villages take on a warm, nostalgic charm throughout December. Handmade presepi (nativity scenes) appear in doorways, bonfires glow in small towns, and piazzas fill with music, roasted chestnuts and warm mulled wine.

Some seasonal highlights include:

• Ascoli Piceno’s Christmas market & ice rink
• Loreto’s La Venuta – a 400-year-old festival of lights and bonfires
• Fermo and Macerata, where medieval streets fill with artisans, lanterns and festive decorations

It’s Christmas at a gentler pace with no crowds, no rush; just tradition and community.

Local Winter Customs

Italian Christmas in Le Marche is shaped by meaningful rituals:

• A seafood dinner on Christmas Eve
• Midnight Mass in candlelit churches
• Christmas Day feasts with lasagna, roast meats and panettone
• 6 January, when the Befana brings small gifts to close the season

These traditions give December its depth and celebration of warmth, family and heritage.

The Genga Live Nativity

Just a short drive from the estate, the village of Genga hosts one of Italy’s most atmospheric Christmas events.

Set in a dramatic gorge near the Frasassi Caves, hundreds of locals recreate biblical scenes by torchlight. The final nativity moment inside a natural cave sanctuary is quietly moving, bringing together landscape, story and community in a way that feels truly timeless.

Christmas at Oliveto Estate

At Oliveto, Christmas feels beautifully simple.

Our villas become your private festive home; warm, decorated and ready for gatherings with family and friends.

Guests can enjoy:

• A real Christmas tree waiting on arrival
• A private chef for Christmas or New Year’s dinner
• Seasonal menus featuring truffles, olive oil and local wine
• Pizza or pasta nights by the fire
• Optional vineyard visits or truffle hunts
• Space to slow down, reconnect and savour the season

You can slow down, eat well, and spend time together, without lifting a finger. It’s Christmas without the chaos, just togetherness, laughter and the kind of food that brings everyone back to the table.