6 Italian Christmas Traditions
Christmas is a special time of year; every country has unique traditions. In Italy, particularly in the Via Francigena and St Francis Way regions, Christmas is celebrated with various events, foods, and customs that make it truly unique. To help you experience Christmas the Italian way, we’ve chosen six of our favourite Italian Christmas traditions to help you say, Buon Natale!
1. Christmas Markets
Nothing embodies the spirit of Christmas quite like the spectacular festive markets in Europe during winter (fancy some mulled wine?). From November until Christmas Day, numerous Italian towns and cities host enchanting Christmas markets that delight both the young and the young at heart.
Florence, along the St Francis Way, and Piazza Navona in Rome boast some of Italy’s largest and most renowned Christmas markets. These markets are famous not only for their seasonal foods but also for their crafts and handmade products. Bursting with festive cheer, they are perfect places to find unique gifts for family and friends (I must admit, I have a soft spot for handmade Christmas decorations).
2. Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve is the central family Christmas dinner in Italy, Cenone (which translates to ‘The Big Dinner’!). This meal is typically meat-free, with fish often being the main course. At midnight, it’s time to open the Christmas presents. If you’re in Rome, the traditional Christmas Eve Mass occurs at St Peter’s Basilica around 10 pm.
3. Nativity Cribs
One Italian Christmas tradition you might not know about is the nativity scene. From Christmas Eve until Epiphany on January 6th, you’ll find many nativity cribs throughout the country. You may even come across some live nativity plays.
These cribs, known as Presepi, are a crucial part of Christmas celebrations in Italy. It’s believed that St. Francis himself created the first crib. The nativity scene is essential to the Christmas story and celebrations in many Catholic countries, including Italy.
4. Befana The Witch
In some parts of Italy, including Rome, children receive sweets and treats from a friendly witch named Befana in addition to their Christmas gifts.
On the night of 5th January, the eve of Epiphany Day, Befana travels across Italy on her broomstick, filling stockings with sweets and gifts for those who have been good all year. If you haven’t been so good, she might still visit but will leave a few lumps of coal instead.
If you are on the Via Francigena in Italy during Christmas, hang your stockings by the Christmas tree and leave a small glass of wine and some food for Buona Befana on the eve of Epiphany. Like Santa, Befana is elusive, but legend has it that she may appear at a window in Piazza Navona in Rome on Epiphany Day.
If you’re in Rome around this time, it’s well worth visiting Piazza Navona to see if you can see her. In Fornovo di Taro, Parma, on the Via Francigena, an annual festival dedicated to Befana is held on the 5th and 6th of January. Here’s a little poem about Befana, the Witch:
La Befana vien di notte (The Befana comes by night)
Con le scarpe tutte rotte (With her shoes all tattered and torn)
Col vestito alla Romana (She comes dressed in the Roman way)
Viva, Viva La Befana! (Long life to the Befana!)
5. Sweetbreads
Italy is known for its delicious desserts, especially during Christmas. Sweetbreads like Panettone and Pandoro are classic Italian treats you must try if you’re in Italy at this time of year.
Make sure to seek them out! Nut-based Torrone is another seasonal delight you shouldn’t miss. So, grab a cup of coffee and a slice of cake, and savour the winter!
6. The World’s Biggest Christmas Tree
Did you know that the world’s most giant Christmas tree is in Gubbio on the St. Francis Way? It’s true! This massive Christmas tree was first set up in 1981 on Mount Ingino, overlooking the city of Gubbio.
The tree was initially created to honour Saint Ubaldo, the city’s patron saint. Gubbio’s Christmas tree stands over 650 metres high and has more than 300 lights. 1991 it entered the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s largest Christmas tree.
In Italian, it is known as ‘L’Albero di Natale più grande del mondo.’ The tree is lit on December 7th each year and remains illuminated until January 6th.
We hope you’ve enjoyed discovering some of our favourite Italian Christmas traditions. Wishing you a Buon Natale! How do you celebrate Christmas? Please share some of your cherished Christmas traditions with us!
If you’ve left your Christmas shopping a bit too late this year, don’t forget that you can give the gift of the Camino with one of our Camino Christmas Vouchers. If you’ve any questions about our Camino de Santiago routes or want to book your Camino de Santiago adventure, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
