The main event of Peschiera del Garda’s Christmas Eve celebration is the boat parade. The most cherished custom features the underwater nativity scene, sometimes referred to as the “Nativity of the Lake,” which first took place in 1980 and is reenacted annually by the Peschiera Sub Club in the Canale di Mezzo.
On the night of December 24, miniatures of Baby Jesus are traditionally placed in nativity scenes. Shepherds in Peschiera will descend from Porta Brescia, according to custom, to board the boats and, thanks to divers, put the Child in the underwater nativity scene. The procession to the Nativity scene will commence at 5:30 p.m. at Piazzale C. Betteloni. During the parade, there will be people dressed in traditional costumes as well as the typical Zampognari Veneti, or medieval-costumed musicians who roam the streets of the cities playing Christmas songs.
