The Magic of Italian Christmas Traditions
Originally written for Cucina Antica.
Christmastime in Italy is shaped by important religious celebrations and age-old traditions that have created a unique season of festivities in the Italian culture. From December 8 to January 6, Italy is transformed into a magical stage of glistening lights, bustling streets, exquisite feasts, and family gatherings. For a window into all the delightful holiday cheer in Italy, here are some of the most notable traditions of the Italian Christmas season:
Immaculate Conception Day
While the U.S. Christmas season generally kicks off on Black Friday, festivities in Italy don’t begin until December 8 – an important religious holiday for the country. Now a nationally celebrated day, Immaculate Conception Day honors the day Virgin Mary was conceived, free from original sin.
During this time in Italy, schools are closed, Christmas trees and decorations go up, and stores are open for holiday shopping. Families enjoy festive activities on the town and even get to see appearances from Babbo Natale – “Father Christmas,” or as we know him, Santa. Of the most popular decorations is the famous Presepe, or Nativity scene. These scenes containing live people or figurines depict the night of Christ’s birth and can found in churches, outdoor piazzas and family homes across the country.
The Christmas Eve Feast
On Christmas Eve, Italians old and young gather to enjoy a seven- course (or sometimes twelve- or thirteen- course) meal called The Feast of the Seven Fishes. The tradition originated from the Catholic custom of fasting from meat before a major feast day like Christmas. (Leave it to Italians to turn a day of fasting into a day of feasting!). Families gather to indulge in decadent seafood dishes like clams and oysters. The significance of the number of dishes is debated - seven for the seven sacraments, thirteen for the twelve apostles plus Jesus - but traditional stories vary. We do know that the gathering is to celebrate the birth of the baby Jesus with friends and family.
Midnight Mass
Following the evening meal, many Italian families venture out to the quiet streets and head to midnight mass. Right in the dead of night, church bells ring and piazzas begin bustling with crowds on their way to worship. With a full stomach and a late start for the service, you may want to squeeze in a nap before attending. Services can last up to three hours long, making for a very late night!
Christmas Day
Christmas Day in Italy is a day of feasting. After the festivities and evening meal on Christmas Eve, families wake up on Christmas to begin the main feast, this time with meat. Children enjoy a few gifts under the tree from Babbo Natale, but the big gifts are saved for another special holiday in the days to come. The Christmas Day Feast consists of multiple courses, starting with an antipasto platter, a pasta dish, and then the main course – meat (often lamb, veal, or beef). For dessert, the delicious panettone – a delicate sweet bread with dried fruit – takes center stage.
Santo Stefano
If you think the festivities are over after Christmas Day, guess again! Dec. 26 marks an additional day of celebration for Italians as St. Stephen’s Day – another excuse to feast. This time, Italians get creative in the kitchen and enjoy leftovers or new dishes crafted from the previous day’s ingredients.
The Epiphany
The Italian Christmas season carries on through New Year’s and the first week of January, all culminating in the final holiday of the season – the Day of the Epiphany. As a religious holiday, the Day of the Epiphany celebrates the day the three wise men arrived at the manger bearing gifts for Baby Jesus.
As legend has it, in their search of the infant Christ, the three wise men knocked on the door of an old woman to ask directions. They invited her to join their journey but she was busy with housework so she refused. Tradition says she later saw a bright light in the sky and set out with gifts for the Baby Jesus but never found the manger. Each year on Jan. 5, Epiphany Eve, she wanders around passing out gifts to children, hoping to find the Christ child. Children across Italy hang stockings in anticipation of a visit from this witch, referred to as “La Befana,” and wake up to find candy or coal in their stocking the next morning.
Celebrate Christmas this year like a true Italian. Incorporate a new tradition into your family’s holiday celebrations – cook an Italian dish, attend a midnight mass, or even set out stockings for La Befana. Just make sure you’re on your best behavior so you don’t end up with a lump of coal!