In Italian Happy/Merry Christmas is ‘Buon Natale’, in Sicilian it’s ‘Bon Natali’ and in Ladin (spoken in some parts of the northern Italian region of South Tyrol) it’s ‘Bon/Bun Nadèl’. Happy/Merry Christmas in lots more languages. Epiphany is also important in Italy.
When we study Christmas around the world, Italy is one of the unique countries we look at: shepherd bagpipers, elaborate Nativity scenes, and a kind witch that flies on a broom. The traditions of Christmas in Italy are based heavily on the religion of Christianity (Catholicism), and on the Italian holiday calendar..
Christmas lends itself particularly to the display of the richness of local and regional traditions that, because of Italy’s particular history, are deeply rooted, long cultivated, and reverently taught and observed, providing a deep and colorful fabric of continuity and communality..
Christmas in Italy
- Christmas-related celebrations in Italy traditionally start on the 8th December and conclude on .
- 8th December is a public holiday in Italy marking the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and the .
- Decorated pine trees are newcomers to Christmas in Italy though. Nowadays you can see them in .
- Instead, beautiful Nativity scenes are the focus of the Christmas decorations and spirit in Italy. Also .
- Traditionally, the best makers of Nativity scenes come from Naples where the making of Christmas .
- Otherwise, Nativity scenes and the elements to build one are sold all over Italy during the festive .
- Even though the Nativity scenes in churches, squares and front yards are set-up before Christmas, .
- Exhibitions of dozens and sometimes even hundreds of Nativity scenes from all over Italy and the .
- The oldest Nativity scene in existence is carved in marble and dates back to the 13th century. His .
- Living Nativity scenes are also organised at Christmas in Italy. Groups of local volunteers stage .
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While bountiful feasts are typical at Christmas, food isn’t the only marker of Italian tradition. Nativity displays, winter sports, town bonfires, local markets and visits from la befana are just some of the things that make a traditional Christmas in Italy extra festive. Keep reading to learn what different regions have to offer!.
The Christmas festive season starts on December 8th, the date of Immaculate Conception of Mary, and celebrated till January 6th, the day of the Epiphany. For Italians, Christmas festivities focus on the family; locals head to their hometowns to celebrate with loved ones. Meanwhile, light displays and Christmas markets pop up throughout the country.
Christmas in Italy kicks into high gear around the 8th of December each year. This celebratory day is known as The Feast of Immaculate Conception. The day is a Public Holiday for the whole of Italy and is believed to be the day that Mary was proverbially reborn and saved by God that intervened in her life..
Christmas in Italy
Christmas traditions in southern Italy have a lot of similarities with celebrations in other Catholic European countries. Christmas is an important family celebration.. On Christmas Eve many families attend midnight mass or vespers that are held on that day instead of before or after.
In Tuscany, expect a roasted capon with vegetables and potatoes. Sardinians prefer spit-roasted pig. While in Calabria, many enjoy roast goat. In recent years a stuffed roast turkey, similar to an American Thanksgiving dish, has become a more common Italian Christmas menu item.
Another Christmas market not to be missed in the north of Italy is the spectacular display in Bolzano, arguably one of the most beautiful in Italy. This festive extravaganza located in the region of South Tyrol is claimed to be Italy’s biggest Christmas market and, after almost two decades of the event, always has something new to delight.
- Extended Celebrations. One of the best Italian Christmas traditions is that they celebrate for much .
- No meat on Christmas Eve. In what is a very traditional tradition, the Italians don’t eat meat on .
- Visiting the Vatican for midnight mass. A popular Christmas tradition for those who live or are .
- Skiing into Christmas. While some Italians are attending midnight mass on Christmas Eve, others .
- Bagpipes on the piazzas. In various Italian cities, and especially in Rome – the Eternal city – you are .
- Gifts from the good witch. It is not only Santa who brings Christmas gifts. Right across Italy, on .
- Sweet treats. At Christmas, the Italians are especially big on sweet food. Of course, it varies across .
- Displaying a ceppo. In most Italian households you will likely find a ceppo on display during the .
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Christmas in Italy for Kids | Christmas Traditions
Christmas in Italy. Christmas in Italy is celebrated over several weeks as Italians celebrate from early December, depending on the region, until the day of Epiphany, on the 6th of January. Especially the children look forward to the start of the Christmas season in December when Christmas trees are put up and houses are decorated.
- December 8: Setting up a Christmas tree and the Nativity scene. Traditionally the Christmas tree …
- December 13: Santa Lucia. Santa Lucia is a Catholic celebrated holiday with roots that can be …
- December 24: La Vigilia. In Italy, Christmas Eve is usually a family gathering. Traditionally, the …
- December 25: Natale. The Christmas Day dinner is THE most important Christmas family tradition …
- December 26: Santo Stefano. Saint Stephen’s Day, the day after Christmas and the Feast of the first …
- January 6: La Befana or Epifania. Although Babbo Natale (Father Christmas) and giving gifts on …
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1 day ago However, there is no sign yet that Italy is planning to impose new restrictions ahead of Christmas, and so far Italy has been keen to allow vaccinated travellers from these countries to enter the country. Italy agreed to recognise the vaccination status of travellers from five non-EU countries including the US, Canada and Japan earlier this.
Traditional Christmas is the way Verona celebrates and you will find very little tacky commercialization. The traditional Christmas events in Verona start in mid December with the Feast of Santa Lucia. A particular joy of Christmas in Verona are the many small markets.
Traveling to Italy in December: What You Need to Know
December is an odd mix of not ideal (at least not to most travelers) weather without the usual perk of bargains and thin crowds. But then, of course, there’s Christmas. For many visitors, being in Italy – specifically Vatican City – for Christmas is a lifelong dream, and then no other month will do for a trip.
Christmas day and Christmas Eve ( Vigilia di Natale) are observed in different ways all over the country, depending on where you are. Some Italians start celebrating with a nice dinner on December 24th, while others prefer a light meal — preferably without meat — and wait for a huge Christmas lunch, the day after.
Christmas season is the biggest festive season of Italy which starts eight days before the Christmas on Novena. In Italy the start of the Christmas season is announced by the cannon firing sound. During this season children dressed up as shepherds go from house.
- Florence Noel. Montecatini Terme, located just northeast of Florence in the Tuscany region of Italy, .
- Wild Boar Festival. The wild boar festival (Suvereto Sagra del Cinghiale) in the medieval Tuscan .
- Perugia Christmas Festival. Located in La Rocca Paolina, the city’s historic 16th-century fortress, .
- Saint Barbara Day. The highlight of the week-long celebration in honor of Saint Barbara is December .
- Saint Nicolas Feast Day. This Christian festival is celebrated December 6 in many places in the .
- Festa di San Nicolò. Located on Murano Island in Venice is a week-long celebration for San Nicolo, .
- Saint Ambrogio Day. Celebrated December 7 in the Sant’Ambrogio area of Milan, Saint Ambrogio .
- Feast Day of the Immaculate Conception. Falling on December 8, the Feast Day of the Immaculate .
- Saint Lucia Day. December 13 is celebrated in many Italian towns with Saint Lucia Day, a full-on .
- Saint Stephen’s Day. The day after Christmas is a national holiday in Italy called Saint Stephen’s Day. .
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What is Christmas like in Italy?
Christmas in Italy. Christmas in Italy is celebrated over several weeks and is considered by some as the top place to visit during the Christmas season as Italians like to do things up big, including Christmas! Since Italy is a more religious country that most, you will not find many Santa Clause decorations.
- Rome & Vatican City. Heading for Rome over Christmas is probably the most obvious choice, and …
- Venice. While winter in Venice can be cold and damp, Christmas can also be a magical time to visit. …
- Naples. Naples is home to a street that can rightfully be called “Christmas Alley” year-round. This …
- Sicily. For a location with loads of Italian Christmas traditions but (likely) much milder weather, …
- Trentino-Alto Adige. Germany is known worldwide for its fabulous Christmas markets, so it stands …
- Abruzzo & Molise. Advertisement. Along with the Christmas markets and feasts that go along with …
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Christmas markets in Venice. There are some Christmas markets in Venice. To the sounds of Christmas, there are countless regional specialties. In addition, there are the usual delicacies like Santa Clauses made of chocolate, almond biscuits, biscuits and of course the typical Panettone, a.
Christmas for many is a time to be at home with family – but if you’re the type who likes to travel during the Christmas holidays, then I’d argue there are few places where you could spend Christmas that are more special than Italy.
Italy in December
Christmas in Italy is taken very seriously and is a very important holiday for Italians. Christmas in Italy is a truly special moment, in a way shared by not many other countries. Natale, Christmas for we Italians, is still a a holy day, where the millennial tradition of presepi, nativity scenes and midnight masses are still more prevalent and loved than the red and white figure of Santa Claus.
