Since 1987, Christmas in Pietrelcina has meant a Living Nativity Scene. In the heart of winter, when the silence of the night deepens and the starlight seems closer, the Castello district transforms into a timeless place, where faith, tradition, and spirituality blend into a single emotion.

Every year, a unique and evocative reenactment of the Nativity unfolds through the ancient streets of the historic center. Stone houses, torch-lit alleys, and the scent of freshly baked bread frame an emotional journey that transports visitors to the simple and authentic atmosphere of Bethlehem, the time when Jesus was born.

What makes this event special are not only the faithful and meticulously crafted sets, but above all the lively and heartfelt participation of over 200 participants, who with passion and dedication take on the roles of shepherds, artisans, wayfarers, and, of course, the Holy Family. Every character, every gesture, every word contributes to creating a living fresco of great spiritual intensity.

The Pietrelcina Living Nativity Scene is created entirely thanks to the dedication of a group of volunteers who dedicate their free time to it: this element adds further value to a unique and authentic experience with which the people of Pietrelcina also pay homage to the figure of Padre Pio. Our fellow saint had a special veneration for Christmas and the nativity scene, and it is particularly significant that the nativity scene is set in the room below the room where he was born on May 25, 1887.