December 2025 at the Sambuy Gardens: Christmas at Giardino Forbito Sambuy

Throughout the month of December, the Sambuy Gardens will transform into a gathering place dedicated to creativity, literature, music, and the arts, thanks to the special programming curated by Giardino forbito ETS.

In the heart of Turin, opposite Porta Nuova station, the Gazebo Forbito Sambuy once again becomes a space for community, cultural experimentation, and shared beauty, with a series of events designed for families, residents, visitors, and enthusiasts. The program alternates between artisanal workshops, botanical activities, musical moments, literary encounters from the “Books of Advent” series, dance, installations, and initiatives dedicated to the holiday season.

The calendar opens on 6 December with “Glass Plants”, a day dedicated to botanical micro–compositions curated by Alessandra Bailone, accompanied by creative workshops for children.

On 7 December, the “Books of Advent” series begins. The first event, “Stories & Wine Under the Tree”, features Natalia Ceravolo and an eno-literary journey pairing four short stories by Dino Buzzati with four local wines. This will be followed by tango with Creación Tango Torino, founded by Santiago de León and Eugenia Deanna.

8 December will be a festive day for the Sambuy Gardens. At 4 p.m., Mayor Stefano Lo Russo will inaugurate the return of the Emanuele Luzzati Nativity Scene to Piazza Carlo Felice. Complementing the celebration, the Madre Enrichetta Choir from the Francophone Catholic Community of Turin will perform, and both a creative papier-mâché Christmas workshop by Cinzia Scanavacca and a nativity-making workshop for children will be offered. Hot chocolate by Ottimo Gelati will be served.

On Saturday 13 December, for Santa Lucia and the arrival of the “Pioniera” sculpture by artist Raffaella Brusaglino, the Coro d’Argento, directed by Maestro Guiot, will celebrate the day with songs and melodies. “Natural Balm” will be the workshop led by Sara Cravero of Coutersia Laboratorio Creativo, dedicated to crafting an artisanal body balm.

One of the liveliest days in the holiday program will be 14 December, featuring the Biodiversity Market (10:00–18:00), pizzica with Paranza del Geco, and the second event of “Books of Advent” – “Mysteries Under the Tree”, featuring authors Tiziano Fratus, Enrico Camanni, Enrico Pandiani, and Orso Tosco, in collaboration with Libreria Trebisonda. In the afternoon, tango returns with Creación Tango Torino, followed by “Whispers: Sounds and Stories Up Close in the Garden”, featuring Poesia a gettone (Arianna Abis), Arpablù (Michela Tancredi), and Pascal Clown (Pasquale Dominelli). At 4 p.m., a workshop with Monica Fissore of Beesù will take place, along with an exhibition of papier-mâché Pinocchios by Cinzia Scanavacca.

On 20 December, the day will be dedicated to “Christmas Flowers”, with displays and workshops on floral accessories and holiday arrangements by Paola Tonani.

The program concludes on 21 December with the final event of the “Books of Advent” series: “Pages & Nature Under the Tree”, dedicated to books on nature, ecology, and the environment for children and adults, in collaboration with Libreria Trebisonda. The day ends with tango by Creación Tango Torino and the official closing celebration of the Giardino Forbito 2025 events.

Floral arrangements throughout the month will be curated by Vivai Giani and F.lli Gramaglia, in collaboration with the Metropolitan Pollinators Community.

The December program reaffirms the commitment of Giardino Forbito ETS to the cultural and social regeneration of the Sambuy Gardens and the surrounding area, through a pathway that blends art, community, participation, and local enhancement.

Programme

6 DECEMBER — Glass Plants
Day dedicated to botanical micro–compositions with Alessandra Bailone.
Creative workshops for children throughout the day.

7 DECEMBER — Books of Advent: Stories & Wine Under the Tree
11:30 a.m.: first event in the series with Natalia Ceravolo, pairing four Dino Buzzati stories with four local wines.
3:30 p.m.: tango with Creación Tango Torino (Santiago de León and Eugenia Deanna).

8 DECEMBER — Luzzati Nativity Scene Inauguration
10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.: continuous Christmas wreath workshop with Cinzia Scanavacca.
Children’s workshop for crafting a nativity scene.
4:00 p.m.: official inauguration with Mayor Stefano Lo Russo for the return of the Emanuele Luzzati Nativity Scene.
Participation of the Mother Enrichetta Choir of the Francophone Catholic Community of Turin.

13 DECEMBER — Santa Lucia
10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.: soap display and body balm workshop with Sara Cravero (Coutersia Laboratorio Creativo).
3:00–5:00 p.m.: celebration with the Coro d’Argento, directed by Maestro Guiot, and unveiling of the “Pioniera” sculpture by Raffaella Brusaglino.

14 DECEMBER — Biodiversity Market & Books of Advent: Mysteries Under the Tree
10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.: Biodiversity Market with local producers and artisans.
11:00 a.m.: pizzica in the garden with Paranza del Geco.
11:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m.: “Mysteries Under the Tree” with Tiziano Fratus, Enrico Camanni, Enrico Pandiani, and Orso Tosco (Libreria Trebisonda).
3:30 p.m.: tango with Creación Tango Torino.
From 3:00 p.m.: “Whispers” with Arianna Abis, Michela Tancredi, and Pascal Clown.
4:00 p.m.: workshop with Monica Fissore (Beesù).
Exhibition of papier-mâché Pinocchios by Cinzia Scanavacca.

20 DECEMBER — Christmas Flowers
10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.: display and workshop on floral decorations curated by Paola Tonani.

21 DECEMBER — Books of Advent: Pages & Nature Under the Tree / 2025 Closing Event
Third and final event dedicated to books on nature, ecology, and the environment (Libreria Trebisonda).
3:30 p.m.: tango with Creación Tango Torino.
Official closing of the 2025 Giardino Forbito events.

Throughout the month, floral arrangements by Vivai Giani and F.lli Gramaglia, created in synergy with the Metropolitan Pollinators Community, shape the garden into a blooming stage for winter encounters.