MUSIC and ARTISTIC PERFORMANCES at the sites of GREATER POMPEI during THE CHRISTMAS PERIOD

MUSIC and ARTISTIC PERFORMANCES at the sites of GREATER POMPEI during THE CHRISTMAS PERIOD

From the Pop-up choir to Teatro Grande and musical-themed tours.

The entire calendar of events starting from 13 December.

There is a packed programme of events for the Christmas period at the Archaeological Park of Pompeii for families, children and adults. The main theme will be music, which in various forms and at various dates, will accompany visitors during the guided tours around the sites of Greater Pompeii (Grande Pompei). With a mixture of musical performances, educational workshops and themed tours, the sites will be transformed into welcoming, creative spaces with a festive atmosphere.

The main event will be held at Pompeii on 19 December at Teatro Grande and features the POMPEII POP UP choir, hundreds of voices for a spontaneous concert in which everyone can take part. The makeshift group of singers will be conducted by Carlo Morelli who, together some of the soloists from his choir, will help the over six hundred participants expected to take part in this exciting and auspicious performance.

Anyone who fancies taking part should turn up at Teatro Grande in Pompeii at 11:30 am: participants will be given the lyrics of two randomly chosen songs and, after a dress rehearsal, the performance will begin with everyone singing in unison at the top of their voices. This amusing, cathartic event should prove to be an engaging and sociable experience which will provide a morning of fun and enable people to get into the Christmas spirit.

The sounds of jazz will also characterise this festive period with ARCHEO JAZZ events scheduled as part of the DiVinoJazzFestival – Itinerari vesuviani financed by the Regione Campania – Department of Tourism, co-funded and organised by the comune (town council) of Pompei, in partnership with the comuni of Ercolano, Torre del Greco, Torre Annunziata, Boscoreale, Boscotrecase and Trecase. Artistic director: Gigi Di Luca.

Contemporary improvisation and classic vibes can be enjoyed at Villa Poppea in Oplontis on 20 December with the performance by the Vincenzo Saetta Trio, while the Matteo Franzo Jazz Trio will be playing at Villa Regina in Boscoreale on 21 December. On 30 December at Pompeii it will be the turn of Boomerang Orkestra, a street band who will be performing on the streets of the ancient city. 10:30 am – 12:30 pm.

The musical events at Oplontis and Boscoreale will be accompanied by free guided tours organised by the ArcheoClub of Torre Annunziata. Booking is essential and tickets are subject to availability. Info: www.pompeiisites.org

On 20 December there will be an evening walk around Pompeii from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm (last admission at 9:00 pm) with a twofold itinerary. From Piazza Anfiteatro it will be possible to visit several domus such as the Praedia of Julia Felix, the House of Loreius Tiburtinus, the House of the Marine Venus and Palestra Grande which houses the exhibition “Being a woman in ancient Pompeii” (duration of the tour: about 1 hour — cost €7). On the opposite side of the city, visitors will have the chance to explore Villa of the Mysteries, with the opportunity to take a shuttle to the site of Boscoreale with Villa Regina and the Antiquarium (duration of the tour: about 40 minutes Villa of the Mysteries + about 1 hour Boscoreale cost 7€).

 It is advisable to book the ticket on the site www.ticketone.it ( advanced ticket sale surcharge €1)

There are also activities for children and families at the POMPEII CHILDREN’S MUSEUM. The museum devoted to children offers a special programme of workshops, creative games and immersive activities inspired by everyday life in the ancient Roman world. For children aged 6 to 11 years old, on the following days at 11:00 am. La Lanterna (The Lamp) — Create a Roman lamp (13 December2025), Caccia al Tesoro (Treasure Hunt) — Treasure hunt around the Stabian villas in search of mosaics and frescoes (14 December 2025 – Villa San Marco / 20 December— Villa Arianna), December 2025), Il Mosaico – find out about the of mosaic making and create your own miniature mosaic (26 December 2025), Le Maschere di Stabiae  — Maschere teatrali a Stabia (Theatrical Marks at Stabiae), an educational tour and workshop where you can make your own mask — at the Museo archeologico di Stabia Libero D’Orsi (27 December 2025), Buoni Auspici (Good Omens) — History and construction of Roman amulets (28 December 2025), Caccia al Tesoro (Treasure Hunt)* at Pompeii – treasure hunt in the domus and gardens of the ancient city (4 January 2026, Parco Archeologico di Pompei), Gli antichi Profumi — Conoscenza delle essenze e creazione di profumi (Ancient Perfumes – Learn about plants and create your own perfumes) (6 January 2026).

For further information and bookings: [email protected]

*The workshop on 4 January costs €8 per participant. The other events are all free but booking is essential.

CHRISTMAS CAMP FOR ALL 22-29-30 December 2025 / 02 and 05 January 2026 – (9:30 am – 1:00 pm) at the Social farm “Parvula Domus” situated in the Archaeological Park of Pompeii, where the social co-operative ‘il Tulipano’ provides workshop activities for children and teenagers aged from 8 to 18 years old. The activities include painting, botany, agriculture and physical activities and will involve different age groups and encourage the inclusion of young people with cognitive disabilities and/or autism.

For further information and bookings: ([email protected])

At Oplontis on 14 December 2025 (9:30 am — 1:00 pm) at Villa Poppea, it will be possible to take part in a free guided tour DALL’UTRICULUS ALLA ZAMPOGNA (‘FROM THE UTRICULUS – Roman bagpipes – TO THE ZAMPOGNA – contemporary shepherd’s bagpipes). A musical tour devoted to the musical instruments of antiquity and more recent eras. organised by ArcheoClub and Gruppo Storico Oplontino, with performances, re-enactments and live demonstrations. Booking is not required.

Entrance to the site €8. Discounts and free entry as provided by current legislation

At Boscoreale in the Auditorium of the Antiquarium in Boscoreale from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm, on 20 and 26 December 2025 and 3 January and 6 January 2026, educational workshops devoted to ancient music will be held, organised by Archeomusica for children and families entitled “SUONI DELLA PREISTORIA E DELL’ANTICHITÅ” (SOUNDS OF PREHISTORY AND ANTIQUITY) where various musical instruments, copies and ethnographic artefacts will be used, including a copy of the famous sistrum (metal rattle) of Pompeii and flutes played in the film ‘The Gladiator’. Children (but also children of all ages!) will be able to use the musical instruments to experience the emotion of experimenting with ancient music. The event is organised by Walter Maioli and Carmine Di Biasi (Archeo Cilento).

For further information and bookings: [email protected]

A major event will be held at Villa San Marco in Stabia. On 20 December at 11:30 am, organised by the “Libero D’Orsi” Stabiae excavations committee (Comitato per gli Scavi di Stabia “Libero D’Orsi”). A performance will be given by the artist Anna Spagnuolo, a musician acclaimed for her knowledge of historical musical heritage, devoted to traditional Neapolitan folksongs.

The Museo Archeologico di Stabia is getting ready to stage a weekend of culture and music, providing visitors with two special events that combine ancient art, creativity and musical and sound experimentation. On Saturday 27 December at 11:00 am, families can enjoy an enthralling experience set amidst the recently restored frescoes of the museum, where theatrical masks, tragic heroes and the authors of tragedies return to recount the awesome power of ancient theatre. The guided tour will enable participants to find out more about these fascinating artefacts and will culminate in a creative workshop devoted to the construction of a mask inspired by the characters depicted in the frescoes.

For further information (booking is required): [email protected]

The programme continues on Sunday 28 December at 11.30 am with another artistic initiative: Funneco APS will present “Echeia, Voci per i giorni di luce” (Echea [acoustic vases], Voices for the days of light), a concert by the Progetto Porpora vocal ensemble which will fill the premises of the museum with a musical repertoire ranging from the classics to the songs of the famous Neapolitan  singer-songwriter Pino Daniele, before continuing with the rock music of the Beatles and ending with the contemporary pop of Billie Eilish. The concert, curated by Marco D’Acunzo and Marina Lucia together with the Progetto Porpora ensemble, offers visitors the chance to embark on a musical journey that brings together different atmospheres, genres and sensibilities, turning the museum into an open, living space in constant dialogue with the present.

The daytime events are free, with entrance to the sites at the standard ticket price. For events that require booking, go to the site:www.pompeiisites.org