24 Nov 2022

San Marino is getting ready to experience An incredible journey!

The Christmas of Wonders of San Marino will offer a unique experience

Excitement is growing for the flagship event of the winter season of the Republic of San Marino. Technicians and fitters are working to complete the last details that will give life to the twentieth edition of the "Christmas of Wonders - An incredible journey" whose organization has been entrusted by the Ministry of Tourism and the San Marino Tourism Board to NexTime Eventi by Alberto Di Rosa who will give life to the shows under the artistic direction of Simone Ranieri.

Starting from Saturday 26 November, the Old Town of the Republic of San Marino will be immersed in a fairytale atmosphere that will guide visitors on an incredible journey to discover a unique emotional experience that will culminate in the iconic location of Piazza della Libertà, where there will be a large light installation that can be visited: the Polar Express! An eccentric train conductor will involve the audience and lead them to the discovery of immersive shows for adults and children.

The official ribbon cutting is scheduled for Saturday 26 November at 16.30 in Piazza della Libertà, with the preview of the show "The Toy Factory - The Family Show" with the cast of the show, written and directed by Simone Ranieri of Illusion Group for The Christmas of Wonders: a fascinating show in which dancers, acrobats and performers will involve the public in the story, making it the protagonist. The choreography will be by Matteo Addino, choreographer of nationally renowned musical and theatrical shows such as "Il Cantante Mascherato" of Raiuno.

The San Marino creators with hundreds of thousands of followers, Rebby and Molly, will also be present at the inaugural ceremony.

Many attractions and shows will enliven the squares and districts of the Historic Center, a World Heritage Site, until 8 January 2023.

In Campo Bruno Reffi, dreamers of all ages will be able to find the wonderful "Toy Factory" and create the perfect game together with Santa Claus and his elves! A covered and heated space of 300 square meters with free admission, with creative workshops, magical machines, secret projects, face painting and lots of other fun activities!

Not to be missed, like every year, is the ice skating rink within the suggestive setting of the Cava dei Balestrieri, where a real "Polar Park" will be installed with magical artificial snowfalls.

San Marino’s Old Town will be transformed into an ideal photoset for unforgettable photographic shots that can be rewarded with a Lenovo ThinkBook 15 G3 ACL notebook offered by TIM San Marino: an incredible photo contest will in fact be active for the entire duration of the event.
Participating is easy: in fact, you just have to take a picture in one of the many attractions of the Christmas of Wonders and post it on Instagram with #sanmarinounviaggioincredibile.

34 huts for the traditional Christmas Market located along via Eugippo, in via Donna Felicissima and in the panoramic corner area near the monument dedicated to Bartolomeo Borghesi: you will find handicrafts, gift items and excellent food and wine.

A visit to the Montale Gallery cannot be missed, where it will be possible to get on board the AB 03 electromotive of the Bianco Azzurro Train, restored after 68 years of inactivity to travel the initial stretch of the historic route.
Furthermore, inside the Cassa di Risparmio di San Marino Gallery, it will be possible to visit the Bianco Azzurro Train Exhibition and retrace the most characteristic stages of the famous Rimini – San Marino journey through original period objects and memorabilia and unpublished photographs thanks to the collaboration with the Treno Bianco Azzurro Association.

The Polar-Express ticket will be distributed at the dedicated infopoints, to be validated in four locations: Piazza della Libertà, Polar Park, Toy Factory and Porta San Francesco. Upon completion of the ticket, the visitor will be able to receive a gadget and by presenting it at the participating shops, take advantage of special benefits.

The thematic initiatives are accompanied by the offer of numerous restaurants where you can taste the local food and wine delicacies, combined with the wide choice of shops where you can go shopping and buy Christmas gifts.

The main sponsor of the event will be the well-known jewelry brand #BRAND. The event will be sponsored by Banca di San Marino, San Marino Outlet Experience, Grafikart, Titan Coop and Illusion Group. Tim San Marino, Salusland by Pharma Titano and Energreen.sm will be technical partners of the event. The visual of the campaign is curated by NexTime Eventi with the collaboration of BBL Advertising by Alessandra Lanzani and MOAB for media planning, the "magic shot" for the campaign of "An incredible journey" is by Simone Maria Fiorani.

Full programme of the event here

INFO BOX

The Christmas of Wonders – An Incredible Journey dates and times:
Weekend of 26 and 27 November, of 3 and 4 December, from 8 to 11 December, of 17 and 18 December and every day from 24 December to 8 January 2023 from 10.00 to 19.30.
On 25 December and 1 January from 15.00 to 19.30

Polar Express: From 10.00 to 19.30 - Show times: 16.30 – 17.30 – 18.30 – 19.00
The Toy Factory: From 10.00 to 19.30 - 25 December and 1 January from 15.00 to 19.30
Polar Park: open from 26 November to 23 December every day from 15.00 to 19.30; Saturdays, Sundays, Thursday 8 and Friday 9 December from 10.00 to 19.30. From 24 December to 8 January every day from 10.00 to 19.30 and from 21.00 to 23.00. Snow show every day at 16.00, 17.00, 18.00, 19.00.
Fees: €9.00 for 60 minutes - €6.00 for 30 minutes
Family Show Time at The Toy Factory
10, 11, 17 and 18 December

16.00 first show - 18.00 second show (duration 30 minutes)
Ticket: €5.00
Advance ticket sales: vivaticket.it, Music Store at the Atlante Shopping Center, Porta della Fratta Infopoint
Guided tours: tour "to discover San Marino, a UNESCO World Heritage Site" (1 hour)
A Tour Guide will take you to characteristic places in the Old Town making you discover hidden glimpses, places where legends and history intertwine with events and tradition, surrounded by breathtaking views.
Every Sunday until 31 December at 9.00
Meeting point: Porta San Francesco
Fee: € 5.00 per person - free for children up to 10 years

Bianco Azzurro Train: the electromotive will be active every Saturday and Sunday of the event and on holidays for the entire duration of the event. Times: from 14.00 to 18.00.
Access is free for holders of the complete Polar-Express Ticket, validated in the 4 locations; otherwise the full cost of the ticket is 5 euros.
Exhibition: retracing the history of the Bianco Azzurro Train which arrived from Rimini to San Marino and which was active from 1932 to 1944, inside the gallery it will be possible to admire original objects and memorabilia of the time and unpublished photographs.
From 10.00 to 19.30
Galleria Cassa di Risparmio
The activities are organized by the Treno Bianco Azzurro Association

Shuttles:
• The By Train service, a small train on road, will connect Piazzale Nazioni Unite, Piazzale Lo Stradone and the car parks number 2Bus, number 3, number 5 and number 6 (ticket cost 3 Euros);
• The circular shuttle service with the By Train road train will connect Piazzale Nazioni Unite with Piazzale Lo Stradone (ticket fee 1.50 Euros)

Cable car:
The cable car service that connects Borgo Maggiore with the Old Town will be active during the Christmas of Wonders at the following times:
• from 7.45 to 19.30
• 25 December from 14.00 to 19.30
• 1 January from 13.30 to 19.30