Christmas traditions in Italy

La Bafana, Epiphany, Presepi, mid-night masses and feasts are some of the most prevalent Christmas traditions in Italy. The celebrations begin much before the actual day of Christmas. From the Advent to the Roman New Year celebrations, Italians are indulged in fun and festive enjoyment. Music, bonfires and firework shows are very much a part of the winter celebrations in the country.

Well-known Christmas traditions in Italy

It is fun to be a part of the thrilling Christmas traditions in Italy.

Advent: The country begins its Christmas celebrations on the first Sunday prior to four weeks of Advent. This is an important tradition that marks the beginning of the festival. During this, the priests decorate the wreath with four candles on four corners. The candles are placed on each week before the Christmas Eve.

Novena: Novena is an interesting Christmas followed by the people of Italy, during December. It starts before nine days of the Christmas Day. During these nine days, children move from house to house, reciting Christmas verses and collecting coins. There are morning and evening prayer service on the Novena days at presepio or manager scene of every household.

La Befana: Children love to be a part of the gift exchange custom. During this custom, they write letters to their parents and elders, stating their wishes for certain gift items and promising a well-mannered behavior. The elders or parents on the other hand, read these letters on the dinner table and throw them in the nearby fireplace. La Befana or the Christmas witch is then remembered and prayed by the children. The wishes are believed to reach her through the flames and the fumes of the chimney.

Three Kings Day: Italy observes the Three Kings Day on the sixth of January. It is this day that the three wise men had traveled to see baby Jesus. Befana is also a part of this tale, as she was busy cleaning the place for the three wise men. The legend also talks about her, flying on her broomstick searching the new born baby Christ. Children place their shoes and stockings near the fireplace, to receive gifts and candies, which they had wished for during Novena.

Shepherd’s Carol: Christmas traditions in Italy also include the Carol singing for the shepherds or zampognari. As the story goes, the shepherds played bagpipes and announced the birth of Christ, moving from village to village. Even till date, shepherds dress as bagpipers and play the tune of joy rejoicing the birth of Lord Jesus.

Italian Christmas tradition in Naples:

Various Christmas traditions are followed in Naples. Starting from Nativity cribs displaying baby Jesus to Christmas feasts with seven fish recipes, Naples has it all.

Italian Christmas tradition in Dolomites:

Cortina d’Ampezzo is a town located in Dolomites. One of the most famous Christmas traditions of this Italian destination is the skiing through the Alps carrying lit torches. The ski procession is carried out on the midnight of Christmas day.

Italian Christmas tradition in Umbria:

Tibet River in Umbria celebrates Christmas in a unique way. As per the tradition, several canoeists dress as Father Christmas and canoe through the river with illuminated lights on the Christmas Eve. The canoeing team gives tiny presents to the children gathered nearby, before they start canoeing. Gubbio in Umbria also follows the tradition of decorating the Christmas tree. The custom is famous as the town displays a Christmas tree of height 800 hundred meters. On the 7th of December the Christmas tree is put up with its lights and its star on the peak.

Last updated on 18/11/2010