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Italian Christmas Italian Christmas

TraditionsTraditions

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Did you ever feel like Christmas celebrated for just one day is not

enough?

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Christmas seasons

Christmas season in Italy is traditionally celebrated from

December 24 to January 6, from Christmas Eve to Epiphany. There are lots of Christmas

events to see during December before Christmas, many start on December 8, the Feast Day of the Immaculate Conception.

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ChristmasChristmas decorations and trees are very popular in Italy. Lights and decorations in houses are often seen around December 8. The main focus of decorations is the crib.

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Christmas’ DayAt Christmas Eve a tradition is to attend

Midnight Mass. Children go to bed early: Santa Claus only

brings presents to children who are sleeping!

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Christmas’ Day

Italian families celebrate Christmas with a big meal that ends with traditional sweets such as panettone, pandoro and torrone.

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San Silvestro and Capodanno

December 31 is called ”La Festa di San Silvestro”, and New Year’s Day is

called Capodanno.New Years Eve is marked by a big meal with family and friends where the main

course includes pork and lentils. The pork symbolizes the richness of life, and the lentils symbolize money or good

fortune.

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San Silvestro and Capodanno

In many places there are large fireworks displays at midnight. Capodanno is toasted with spumante.

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Babbo Natale and BefanaAlthough Babbo

Natale and giving presents at

Christmas are becoming more

common, the other day for gifts giving is

Epiphany. In Italy, other presents are brought by Befana, who arrives in the

night to fill children's stockings.

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by Alessia, Davide and by Alessia, Davide and Carlotta 2 ACarlotta 2 AGuidobono schoolGuidobono schoolSavonaSavonaItalyItaly