Winter Italian traditions Christmas

Winter in Italy For people who don't mind the cold, Winter can be a great time to travel in Italy. Most of Italy sees lots of tourists in winter, visiting crowded museums and walking in the busy city center. During Winter opera, symphony, and theatre seasons are in full swing. For Winter sports enthusiasts, Italy's mountains offer lots of opportunities

Snow in rome

Snow in the north of Italy

Winter Festivals and Holidays in Italy Highlights of winter are the Christmas season, New Years, and Carnevale season. National holidays during winter are Christmas Day and the following day, New Year's Day, and Epiphany on January 6 (when La Befana brings gifts to the kids). On these days, most shops, tourist sites, and services will be closed. Carnevale, Italian mardi gras, is celebrated throughout Italy (40 days before Easter) but the biggest festivals are in Venice and Viareggio.

Snowman

Christmas in italy Christmas holidays in Italy are traditionally celebrated from December 24-January 6, or Christmas Eve through Epiphany. This follows the pagan season of celebrations that started with Saturnalia, a winter solstice festival, and ended with the Roman New Year, the Calends. However many events start on December 8, the Feast Day of the Immaculate Conception, and you'll sometimes see Christmas decorations or markets even earlier than that.

Christmas decorations Christmas decorations and trees are becoming more popular in Italy. Lights and decorations are often seen starting around December 8, the Feast Day of the Immaculate Conception, or even the end of November. The main focus of decorations continues to be the presepe, Nativity scene or crib. Almost every church has a presepe and they are often found outdoors in a piazza or public area, too.

A christmas tree

Presepe or crib

Happy new years  La Festa di San Silvestro is celebrated on December 31 on New Year's Eve. Like most Italian festivals, food plays a major role. Families and friends get together for a huge feast. The star of the dinner is lentils, symbolizing money and good fortune for the coming year. Traditionally, the dinner in many parts of Italy also includes a cotechino, a large spiced sausage, or a zampone, stuffed pig's trotter. The pork symbolizes the richness of life in the coming year.

Traditions of the New Year!! Huge midnight fireworks displays celebrate the coming of the new year. Most towns have public displays in a central square but private parties will also include firecrackers or sparklers, too, and will continue for a long time. Naples is known for having one of the best and biggest New Year's fireworks displays in Italy. Some smaller towns build a bonfire in the central square where villagers will congregate into the early morning. If you're near the coast, lake, or river you will hear boats and ships blowing their horns. Dancing is also popular and many towns have public music and dancing before the fireworks. Rome, Milan, Bologna, Palermo and Naples put on huge popular outdoor shows with pop and rock bands. These events can sometimes be seen on television, too

fireworks

See you soon Byeeee 

Lucrezia and Eleonora Byee from Italy 