Christmas in
Italy
Celebrated: December 24 through January 6 (Feast of the Epiphany)
Signature traditions
- 1.Feast of the Seven Fishes (Cena della Vigilia) on Christmas Eve — seven different seafood dishes
- 2.Living nativity scenes (presepi viventi) staged throughout small towns
- 3.La Befana — a kind witch who delivers gifts on January 5–6 (Epiphany Eve), riding a broom
- 4.Bagpipers (zampognari) playing in town squares from the mountains in early December
- 5.The pope's blessing 'Urbi et Orbi' broadcast on Christmas Day
What's on the table
Feast of the Seven Fishes and panettone
Christmas Eve features seven seafood dishes — typically baccalà, calamari, eel, clams, shrimp, octopus, and a fried fish. Panettone, a tall cylindrical sweet bread with candied fruit, is the iconic dessert.
The iconic decoration
The presepe (nativity scene)
Originally created by St. Francis of Assisi in 1223, the presepe — not the tree — is the centerpiece in most Italian homes. The figure of baby Jesus is added only on Christmas Eve at midnight.
How gifts are given
Babbo Natale (Father Christmas) brings gifts on Christmas Day, but La Befana is the older tradition — she delivers gifts on January 6, leaving sweets for good children and coal for naughty ones.
Did you know?
La Befana predates Santa Claus by centuries. Legend says she was searching for the Christ Child, missed the Three Kings' invitation to join them, and now visits every house each January looking for him — leaving gifts wherever she goes.