Christmas celebrations around the world have much in common – but also notable differences. If you were to visit Italy over the festive season, for example, you would experience that mix of familiar and unfamiliar. This blog will explain how Italy celebrates Christmas.
The festive period
The festive period in Italy runs from 8 December to 6 January. The first of those dates is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and it sees the season burst into life. Public squares are illuminated by twinkling displays of outdoor Christmas lights. This is also the date when most families put up their trees and other decorations.
The second date is called Epifania, and it highlights a key difference. Instead of Father Christmas, the gift-bringer in Italian culture is the friendly witch La Befana. She flies in and delivers presents on this day.
On 16 December is the start of La Novena. This is a period of nine days that is meant to symbolise the trip undertaken by the three wise men after the birth of Jesus. Italians celebrate Christmas Eve and Christmas Day the same as us, but the focus is on family and feasting rather than gifts.
The religious aspect
Religion plays a greater part in the Italian Christmas than it does in ours. Nativity scenes are placed front and centre of public and private Christmas decorations, while many families attend midnight mass. Even the feasts have a religious aspect, with fish chosen for Christmas Eve, while meat is eaten on the day itself.
Christmas in Italy is similar to our celebrations in many ways, but its traditions give the season a distinctive charm of its own.
