The festive season in Italy is truly special. A magical period of celebration, the season comes alive through a unique blend of Italian tradition and culture. Lively cities and quaint villages alike capture the essence of la dolce vita, ‘the sweet life’, in their very own warming wintery way.
Visitors can enjoy the dazzling Christmas lights that adorn iconic landmarks. At the same time, the atmosphere is filled with the tune of traditional Italian carols, creating a cosy atmosphere and a sense of togetherness. Think aromas of roasted chestnuts filling the air on market squares that are bursting with vibrant colours as artisans showcase their crafts, handcrafted gifts and decorations. Here’s a guide to the top experiences:
Not-to-be-missed Christmas markets
Surrounded by colourful lights and festively decorated fir trees, Christmas markets are a popular must-see experience for a festive break in Italy. As early as the end of November, Christmas market stalls start to appear in cities across the country.
What better place to savour a delightful cup of mulled wine (or vin brulé) than in one of the country’s most celebrated wine destinations? Lucca, nestled in the hills of Tuscany, transforms into a festive haven for Christmas enthusiasts. Piazza Napoleano and its surrounding streets come alive with a vibrant array of stalls and the festive atmosphere extends to an ice-skating rink and carousel, accompanied by live music echoing throughout the charming town.
In the Trentino region, the markets are among the oldest in Italy. In the city of Trento, more than 70 wooden houses are set up in Piazza Fiera, making it the ideal destination for discovering local handicrafts and gastronomic specialities. The Trento markets also have a unique, sustainable feature: the market lights are partly powered by clean energy from public exercise bikes installed in the Piazza Duomo.
A Christmas tree lights up the Colosseum in Rome, Italy.
The capital comes alive: festivities in Rome
Come the silly season, Rome’s historic streets and iconic landmarks are adorned with festive decorations, turning the city into a fairytale landscape. Christmas in Rome provides the perfect opportunity to try traditional seasonal dishes. On Christmas Eve, many families in Rome partake in the Feast of the Seven Fishes, a seafood extravaganza where dishes like bacalhau, calamari, and baccalà alla romana are prepared to celebrate together.
You’ll even find intricate and lifelike nativity scenes displayed in churches, public squares, and even private homes. Some of the most renowned nativity scenes can be seen at the Vatican, Piazza del Popolo, and the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. Numerous Christmas concerts also take place in December – one of the standout performances is The Three Tenors, captivating audiences at the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls.
“Notte delle Fiaccole” in Abbadia San Salvatore, Siena, Italy.
See torchlights light up the town of Abbadia San Salvatore
Every Christmas Eve, the enchanting town of Abbadia San Salvatore comes alive with magic, hosting its most significant annual festival the “Notte delle Fiaccole” (Night of Torches). One of Italy’s oldest fire festivals, it invites visitors to experience a symbolic reflection of the struggle between light and darkness.
The festivities commence with a ceremonial lighting symbolising the onset of the celebration, accompanied by the blessing of fire. A grand torch, specially constructed for the occasion, is ignited amid the backdrop of Christmas carol performers. The torchlight kicks off a month of entertainment and markets that transform Abbadia San Salvatore into a genuine Christmas village.
Christmas treats of Southern Italy: the top delights to indulge
A country renowned for its food, the Italian festive experience is, unsurprisingly, a culinary extravaganza as Italians gather around tables adorned with festive feasts featuring traditional dishes like panettone and pandoro. During Christmas, traditional treats that are exclusive to the festive season begin to fill stores and homes. And it’s not a case of ‘one size fits all’ with each region known for its diverse Christmas traditions, particularly in the southern parts of the country where local produce is the star.
Typical Sicilian Christmas delicacies show the genuine ingredients of the area, such as citrus fruits, honey and almonds. From nougat to struffoli sweet dough balls, castagnedde, and mostaccioli biscuits, these southern Italian Christmas treats reflect the country’s authentic character rooted in its past.
The New Year’s Eve ‘good luck’ dish cotechino (slow-cooked pork sausage with lentils).
Unique New Year’s travel experiences steeped in tradition
Italians welcome the New Year with an array of colours, traditions, and of course, fireworks – all aimed at bringing good luck and wealth in the coming year. Wearing red, a colour long thought to symbolise fertility and fortune, is a must, as is eating a grape at each ring of the midnight bell, twelve in all, to banish bad luck for the coming twelve months.
Across the country, there are unique ways to celebrate. In the south, people literally ‘ring in’ the year at the stroke of midnight by noisily tossing old pots and pans out the window, a tradition dating back to Roman times. In the north, (illuminated) skiers create enchanting light shows by traversing down the slopes across winter resort areas.
Culinary traditions mark the season, and on New Year’s Eve the essential Italian classic is cotechino (slow-cooked pork sausage with lentils), a dish originating from northern Italy, which is said to symbolise abundance, spiritual strength, and give good luck. The superstition in part harks back to Roman times when, on New Year’s Eve, a leather bag or Scarsella containing lentils was given with the hope that they would transform into coins.
