The Living Nativity Scene of Custonaci tells the story of Christmas as it was once experienced. It is a performance that speaks of silence, slow gestures, and everyday life. Now in its 41st year, it will be open to the public from December 25 to 28, 2025, and from January 3 to 6, 2026, in the Mangiapane Cave in Custonaci (Trapani) , an ancient prehistoric settlement that has been the heart of the nativity scene every Christmas since 1983. The event is curated by the Living Museum Association of Custonaci, with the support of the Segesta Archaeological Park and the Municipality of Custonaci.
Tickets are also available online . Admission is free for children aged 0 to 3.
The route begins in the historic center of the town, amid the lights of the Christmas markets and the festive air. From there, shuttles take visitors to the village and the Mangiapane Cave. The tour takes visitors past houses carved into the rock, stables, shops, and scenes of daily life. The sounds of bagpipes, ciaramelle, friscaletti, jew's harps, and tambourines accompany the procession, creating an intimate and cozy atmosphere where music and tradition blend seamlessly.
Over 150 figures bring the nativity scene to life. Among them are artisans who revive ancient trades: the coppersmith, the stonemason, the blacksmith, the shipwright, the carpenter, and the storyteller. Alongside these, there are now almost forgotten professions, such as the conza piatti e lemmi, who repaired terracotta, and the zabbarinaru, who wove agave filaments. The nativity scene thus becomes a living ethno-anthropological museum, made of working hands and resurfacing stories. Every year it attracts thousands of visitors, attracting attention even beyond Sicily. To complete the experience, the historic center of Custonaci offers Christmas-themed events, markets, traditional music, craft exhibitions, and tastings of typical products, such as sfincia, a simple dessert made with flour, milk, and potatoes.
Costs and times of the 41st Edition from 25 to 28 December 2025 and from 3 to 6 January 2026
Costs
€12.00 at the box office / €12.00 online
€6.00 at the box office for children aged 4-10 / €6.00 online
Free for children 0-3 years and disabled people.
€15.00 at the box office / €15.00 online on December 26th and 28th and January 4th
Groups
For groups and parties, please contact 3401432291.
The ticket price includes the shuttle service
(historic center / cave and vice versa), visit to the Living Nativity Scene.
Opening hours
4:00 PM – 9:00 PM (ticket office closes at 8:00 PM)
December 25, 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM (ticket office closes at 7:00 PM). When purchasing tickets online, you must specify your entry time.
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