As tradition would have it in the month of December, within and no later than the feast of the Immaculate conception Christmas trees are decorated, nativity scenes are constructed, as well as many houses, squares and public places. The territory of Lake Maggiore is also immersed in tradition and a Nativity scene, large or small, can be found in each village. Here we would like to highlight the various creations of three different local communities - Stresa, Varzo and Verbania - in alphabetical order.

The Pro Loco of Stresa in collaboration with the municipality, has created a path between the streets of the town and its hamlets including the islands, illustrated by more than 60 artistic Nativity scenes that decorate the shops of the town's streets. The location leads nicely to the most significant work, a large semi-mechanic nativity scene (12m x 4m), hosted in the Luparia exhibition area, designed by artist Borgosesia Giuseppe Loda.

The community of Varzo, on the other hand, offers the "Nativity in fractions" initiative, directly involving its inhabitants to enhance the most characteristic corners of the town and its 11 hamlets. This set up involves great participation, and variety of spaces and forms have been chosen: from chapels to washing troughs, passing huts and window ledges. Each hamlet of Varzo characterises its Nativity with something special.

We close with Verbania, which has chosen different modes of representation: from the big nativity scene by the Piazza-Vila Association, in piazza Giovanni XXIII, to classic Nativity displays of all kinds at Villa Giulia, not forgetting the live nativity scene on 20th December, with the S.Vittore Basilica animated by angels and the representation of the village of Bethlehem in piazza Ranzoni.