17 Best Christmas Traditions in Italy: From Food to Festivities
Growing up in a large Italian family, I have been surrounded by many wonderful traditions. And now that I have kids of my own, I want them to experience the best Christmas traditions in Italy, as it is also a part of their heritage.
Hubby and I are both first-generation Canadians. Both of his parents, as well as my Dad and grandparents, immigrated to Canada from Italy in the 1950s.
As a result, we were both raised with the Italian way of doing things. And this was especially evident at Christmas.
From what we ate to the actual Christmas timeline for festivities, I can definitely say, Italians do Christmas right!
So, as the holiday season approaches, let’s take a peek at some of the best Christmas traditions in Italy.
What is the Traditional Holiday Timeline in Italy?
Trust me when I tell you, that celebrating Christmas is a whole month’s affair for Italians.
While we have tried to cover the most traditional and popular celebrations, many individual regions may have some traditions that only they celebrate.
Traditional Holiday Timeline in Italy
The following is a list of the main dates that Italian celebrations occur on:
Date | Holiday | Description |
---|---|---|
December 8 | Immacolata Concezione | The official start of the Christmas season in Italy, a national holiday. |
December 13 | St. Lucia Day (Northern Italy) | The main day for gift opening and more feasting with family. |
December 24 | Christmas Eve | Traditionally marked by a huge seafood feast. |
December 25 | Christmas Day | Main day for gift opening and more feasting with family. |
December 26 | St. Stephen’s Day | Reserved for spending time and sharing leftovers with family and friends. |
January 1 | New Year’s Day | Celebrating the start of the new year. |
January 6 | Epiphany Day (La Befana) | The holiday season officially ends with more gifts and goodies for children. |
The Best Italian Christmas Traditions to Help You Celebrate Like a Local
From incredible seafood feasts on Christmas Eve to playing rounds of Tombola, these traditions offer a glimpse into John and I’s childhood and the magic of an Italian Christmas.
1. Lighting of the Christmas Tree
December 8th is when Italians customarily kick off the Christmas season.
This date is significant because it is the celebration of the Immacolata Concezione or the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.
December 8th is also when you will see Christmas trees go up in the piazzas (squares) and in people’s homes.
Unlike what we are used to in Canada and the US, Italians will leave their Christmas trees up until the Epiphany on January 6th.
Growing up, our tree was always up until January 6th. We also kept this tradition alive when our kids were younger.
However, nowadays, I am more inclined to want to start the New Year off with a freshly cleaned and de-Christmasafied home.
2. Indulge in Some Sweet Treats
Indulging in sweet treats is an irresistible part of the Christmas tradition in Italy, and my favourite.
And let me tell you, Italians take their sweets seriously during the festive season.
You can find a variety of incredible confections in all the bakeries, cafes, and markets all over the country. While the sweets do vary by region, some are pretty much universal.
The traditional favourites include panettone, a fluffy, fruit-studded bread that graces holiday tables, Sfince, a deep-fried dough covered in sugar, and pandoro, a golden, star-shaped cake dusted with powdered sugar.
Some of my favourites include the popular almond-based cookies known as “amaretti” and the colourful candied fruits and nougat in “torrone” – both of which have been around for generations.
To this day, Hubby’s Mom always gifts us with a Pannetone at Christmas. And I always include both amaretti cookies and torrone in my Christmas baking.
3. Admire the Presepi (Nativity Scenes)
Admiring the Presepi (Nativity scene), that seem to pop up all over the country, is another popular tradition for Italian families.
These incredibly detailed displays go way beyond the typical Manger scene.
In fact, they often feature entire miniature villages, complete with tiny houses, marketplaces, and figurines representing various aspects of daily life.
They remind me of the Christmas villages that you can purchase in North American shops.
Ours at home gets bigger every year, as I can’t quite help myself when it comes to decorating for Christmas!
The tradition of creating Presepi dates back to the 13th century. They are credited to St. Francis of Assisi, who introduced the idea as a way to bring the story of the Nativity to life for the locals.
Today, you can find these beautifully detailed scenes in homes, churches, and public squares throughout Italy.
In some cities, like Matera in Southern Italy, you may even find living Nativity scenes.
Here, locals will reenact the Nativity events during the week of Christmas.
4. Look for St. Lucy’s Flying Donkey
St. Lucy, or Santa Lucia, is celebrated on December 13th in parts of the Lombardy and Veneto regions of northern Italy.
St. Lucy is said to be a kind and generous young girl who brings gifts to children during the Christmas season.
According to legend, she rides through the night on a flying donkey, distributing presents and sweets to the good children and coal to the cattivi (naughty) kids.
Children eagerly anticipate her arrival, often leaving out a carrot for the donkey and coffee for St. Lucy.
In the city of Verona, you will even find a huge Christmas market in honour of Santa Lucia.
This is one Italian Christmas tradition that I had actually never heard of.
Maybe this is because both Hubby and my families are from the southern areas of Italy and Sicily.
5. Stroll Through a Christmas Market
Italian Christmas markets, known as “Mercatini di Natale,” are a favourite part of the holiday season, attracting both locals and visitors from all over.
These markets, which usually run from the beginning of December until January 6th, can be found in cities and towns across Italy.
Just like the iconic German Christmas Markets, the Italian counterparts offer a feast for your senses.
The markets are laden with traditional and handmade goods, as well as holiday decorations and local crafts.
You will also find a ton of festive foods and sweets, including roasted chestnuts, seasonal pastries, and mulled wine.
I loved walking through the markets and seeing the twinkling lights, hearing the live music, and just enjoying the beautifully decorated Christmas trees and incredible nativity scenes.
The largest Christmas markets can be found in cities like Bolzano, Milan, Florence, and Rome, providing the perfect opportunity for holiday shopping.
Smaller markets can also be found in many towns like Castellammare del Golfo (where John’s family is from) and Erice.
So no matter what part of Italy you are visiting, you will be able to find a festive market to stroll through.
6. Write Letters to Babbo Natale
Just like kids in North America (and other parts of the world), Italian children also write letters to Santa Claus, or ‘Babbo Natale’ as he is called in Italy.
Kids write letters to Babbo Natale to let him know what their Christmas wishes are and what they would like to receive as gifts.
These letters are usually sent through the postal service, or nowadays, even by email!
Much like in Canada and the US, Babbo Natale can often be visited in shopping malls or even while sitting on a sleigh in the middle of a popular piazza.
Kids can then hand off their letters directly to him.
7. Listen to Bagpipes on the Piazzas
Now this tradition may sound a little strange to some people: bagpipes in Italy?
A ‘Zampogna’ is a musical instrument that is somewhat similar to a bagpipe. It is played by ‘Zampognari’ in the piazzas of Italy during Christmas.
The Zampognari are travelling shepherds who, during the holiday season, travel from the countryside to the city squares.
And what they bring with them, is the ancient sounds of their bagpipes.
The tradition of the Zampognari dates back centuries and is particularly popular in the southern regions.
Their music is believed to symbolize the announcement of Christ’s birth and the joy of the season.
You will usually see a large crowd gathering anytime the Zampogna is played.
8. Enjoy Some Seafood on Christmas Eve
One of my earliest memories of Christmas is devouring copious amounts of seafood during Christmas Eve celebrations at my Nana Mary’s house.
Considering how much food plays a part in Italian culture, is that really a surprise? 😆
On Christmas Eve in Italy, forget about the turkey or ham—seafood is the star of the show.
In fact, Italian Catholics do not eat meat or dairy on December 24th.
Instead, Italians indulge in a mouthwatering tradition known as the Feast of the Seven Fishes, where they enjoy a delicious seafood banquet.
The meal usually includes favourites like fried calamari, baccalà (salted cod), shrimp, and clams. However, the types of fish eaten will vary by region.
Some people say that the number seven is representative of the seven sacraments of the Catholic faith. While others use that number to represent the number of seafood courses in the meal.
9. Play a Round of Tombola
Playing games on Christmas Eve is a popular way to pass the time after dinner.
Especially if, like with my family, you had to wait til midnight to open your gifts or go to midnight mass.
One traditional game that a lot of Italian families play during the Christmas season is Tombola—the Italian version of Bingo.
This lottery-style game is played with a deck of numbered cards and a set of tokens.
The game actually has a historical background, with origins dating back to the 18th century when the Italian nobility played it.
Participants are given cards and then take turns drawing numbers from a basket or sack and calling them out.
The goal is to fill your card and shout “Tombola!” to claim victory.
Growing up, my family didn’t play Tombola. Instead, we had other board games and card games that were enjoyed during the holiday season.
As we got older, we graduated to playing video games. The competition was fierce, no matter what we played!
John’s family, on the other hand, always took out the Tombola game at Christmas.
At the end of the day, it was more about having fun with family, than what game we played.
10. Celebrate Midnight Mass
Celebrating Midnight Mass, or Natale del Signore, is a popular and cherished Christmas tradition in Italy.
It is when Italians will flock to Christmas Eve services at their local church to welcome the birth of Jesus.
The origins of this midnight service can be traced back to the early Christian church when it was believed that Jesus was born at midnight.
Attending Midnight Mass is a significant part of the holiday festivities. Many of the iconic churches in larger cities will have special services at Christmas time.
Of course, if you are not lucky enough to be in Rome on Christmas Eve, you can still hear the Pope celebrate mass as it is actually televised across the country.
11. Hit the Slopes for Some Midnight Skiing
One Italian Christmas tradition that I found a little odd (but Hubby immediately thought was awesome), is midnight skiing.
Maybe it’s because both of our families are from Southern Italy where snow is pretty rare.
But in the gorgeous Alpine regions of Northern Italy, like the Dolomites, you can find ski resorts that offer the chance to hit the slopes on Christmas Eve.
Skiers and snowboarders head down the mountains, with torches in hand, to welcome in Christmas Day.
This is definitely on Hubby’s bucket list. Myself, I will be content curled up by the fire in the chalet, enjoying a Vin Brûlé (mulled wine).
12. Eat, Eat and Eat Some More on Christmas Day!
On Christmas Day in Italy, the focus is on good old-fashioned feasting!
You can expect the dinner table to be packed with a wide variety of dishes.
Classic favorites like lasagna or other types of pasta, and roasted meats, are constants. But many regional specialties are also added to round out the menu.
In the South, you may find some delicious seafood like eel or octopus, while up North, creamy risotto is a popular option.
And let’s not forget about the sweets – dessert platters are stacked high with panettone, pandoro, torrone, Struffoli, marzipans, and fruitcakes.
With my Calabrese family, my favourite Christmas food was the rice sticks that my Nana Mary would make.
The taste is similar to arancini, however, the rice would be shaped into a long croquette (rather than a ball).
Nana would then cover the formed rice sticks in breadcrumbs and fry them up. There was no stuffing inside, but the rice would be mixed with parmesan, so it was quite cheesy!
Christmas dinner with Hubby’s Sicilian family always included Cuccidati (Sicilian Fig cookies), as well as Struffoli for dessert. They were my favourite!
Struffoli is a heaping mound of tiny fried dough balls drizzled with honey and then dusted with coloured sprinkles. They were served in small portions in cupcake wrappers and were fabulous!
13. Exchange Gifts with Family
Exchanging gifts with family is a Christmas tradition celebrated all over the world. It is believed to be rooted in the fact that the Magi brought gifts to the infant Jesus.
Unlike the typical North American practice of exchanging gifts on Christmas morning, Italian families have their own unique way of doing it.
While some families exchange gifts on Christmas Day, others wait until the feast of St. Stephen on December 26.
Other families wait until the Epiphany on January 6, when La Befana brings gifts for children.
The differences in timing are pretty much based on what region in Italy you are in.
When I was growing up, we would all gather for a family celebration on December 24th. We then had to wait until midnight before we were allowed to open our presents.
Nowadays, Hubby and I do things a little differently with our kids. The kids put out their stockings and cookies and milk for Santa on the 24th.
Then on Christmas Day morning, we open our presents and have a big breakfast to celebrate.
14. Celebrate St. Stephen’s Day
Celebrated on December 26th, St. Stephen’s Day is important in the Italian holiday calendar.
In fact, the date was made into a public holiday back in 1947 as a way of extending Christmas celebrations.
St. Stephen’s Day (Santo Stefano) is a time to commemorate the first Christian martyr, St. Stephen.
The day is traditionally marked by people visiting the nativity scenes inside local churches and making a small donation.
In some regions, like Southern Italy, it’s a day for continued feasting, with leftovers from the Christmas Day meal taking center stage.
Afterwards, friends and families go out for una passeggiata, a stroll through town, to admire the Christmas lights.
15. Wear Red Underwear on New Year’s Eve
Just like everywhere else in the world, Italians ring in the New Year with plenty of pomp and pageantry. However, they do have a couple of traditions that are unique to Italy.
In the southern regions of Italy, New Year’s Eve was once ushered in with a rather unconventional tradition.
People used to toss old pots and pans, clothes, appliances, and even furniture out of windows.
This was supposed to symbolize the act of “letting go” of past troubles and making a fresh start for the future.
Thankfully, this tradition is practically non-existent nowadays, as it was probably a huge safety hazard!
One notable custom that is still practiced, is wearing red underwear. The colour red is believed to bring good luck and keep evil spirits at bay.
So don’t be too surprised by the tons of red ‘mutandine‘ (panties) you see displayed in shop windows just before New Year’s Eve! 🤣
We had a heck of a time finding red underwear (in Canada) for all of us to wear during our last trip to Sicily!
Another popular tradition involves feasting on lentils and pork.
Lentils represent prosperity and good fortune due to their coin-like appearance. They symbolize wealth and abundance in the coming year.
Pork, on the other hand, represents progress, as pigs root forward, signifying moving ahead in life.
Hubby’s family is very traditional in that the pork and lentils are always on their New Year’s Eve menu. Who knows, maybe they wear red undies too!! 🤣🤣
16. Expect a Visit From La Befana
While this was never a tradition in our house, many of my closest friends celebrated the Italian tradition of La Befana.
According to legend, La Befana is a kind-hearted old witch who, upon hearing about the birth of Jesus, set off to visit the baby with gifts.
However, she never arrived in time. Now each year on the night of January 5th, she travels on her broomstick, leaving small gifts and sweets for well-behaved children throughout Italy.
She has also been known to leave a piece of dark coal-like candy for the naughty ones, as a gentle reminder to be on their best behaviour in the coming year.
Today, children hang stockings or leave out shoes on the eve of Epiphany, hoping to wake up to surprises from La Befana.
And much like we leave cookies and milk out for Santa, kids in Italy leave out all kinds of cakes and cookies (called Befani) for La Befana.
In some regions, La Befana’s arrival is celebrated with a Panettone. In others, a star-shaped bread called Focaccia Della Befana is made.
What’s interesting about this cake is that, like the Kings Cakes in New Orleans, Italians hide a coin inside. And whoever finds the coin, is said to be lucky all year.
17. Celebrate the Epiphany
The 6th of January in Italy is a national holiday and marks the end of the Christmas season.
The Epiphany was when the Magi visited the infant Jesus and the revelation of Christ’s divinity occurred.
As a result, many families will add the Three Kings to their nativity scene on January 6th.
The Epiphany is also when children eagerly await the arrival of La Befana, and when families usually take down their Christmas trees.
Often considered the final hurrah of the holiday season, many families will also head to the Christmas Markets one last time.
This is especially true in Rome, where January 6th is usually the busiest day of the Market.
We did not find this the case during our visit to Erice, where most of the market was closed after Christmas.
Sweet treats like caramelized apples and torrone, along with Christmas leftovers, panettone and pandoro, are all popular foods eaten on the day of the Epiphany.
Families typically try to finish any holiday leftovers before returning to work, healthy eating habits, and the non-holiday routine.
Best Traditions in Italy – Quick FAQs
Yes, Italy does celebrate Christmas. It is a significant religious holiday in the country, marked by various traditions and festive customs.
Christmas is celebrated in Italy on December 25th, similar to many other parts of the world.
In Italy, Christmas is celebrated from December 8th (Immacolata Concezione) until January 6th (Epiphany Day). This encompasses a festive season that lasts almost a month.
A unique Christmas tradition celebrated only in Italy is the visit from La Befana. She is an old witch who delivers gifts to children on the night of Epiphany (January 5th).
The tradition of the Nativity scene, or Presepe, began in Italy. St. Francis of Assisi introduced this practice in the 13th century as a way to bring the story of the Nativity to life for the local people.
Final Thoughts on the Best Christmas Traditions in Italy
While I could go on and on about the best Christmas traditions in Italy, these are the most popular.
Of course, some of the best Christmas customs are the ones that people create for their own families.
After all, these are the real traditions that leave a lasting impression and a warm appreciation for the holiday magic. Buon Natale!
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