CHRISTMAS IN ITALY
Since Italy holds the Vatican within it’s borders, it’s no surprise that Italian culture is heavily Catholic. It also follows that Christmas is a very major holiday in Italy. There are three stages in the Italian Christmas celebration.
Advent
Eight days before Christmas prayers and church services begin, carpenters play music in honor of St. Joseph, and people sing praises to shrines of the Virgin Mary.
Beginning December 23rd, Italian children dress up like shepherds and walk from house-to-house giving recitations and collecting money to buy Christmas treats.
Christmas is the only religious holiday celebrated with three masses. Many Italians travel to St. Peter's Cathedral in Vatican City, Rome to attend the first midnight mass, the "Angels' Mass." The second mass, known as the "Shepherds' Mass," directly follows the midnight service. The third and final mass, "Mass of the Divine Word," takes place early on Christmas day.
Epiphany
Epiphany falls on January 6, signifying both the end of Christmas and the arrival of the wise men to Bethlehem. Children hang stockings by the fireplace in hopes that La Befana (a good witch), Italy's version of Santa Claus, will visit and fill the stockings with treats and gifts. Bad children traditionally receive coal.
Carnevale
Just prior to Lent, when most Catholic Italians give up all kinds of things, all of Italy is abuzz with the celebration of Carnevale. The Italian word Carnevale basically translates “goodbye to meat” and is essentially a last-ditch celebration of meat and wine before everyone had to behave themselves during Lent. Celebrated across the globe (some of the more famous are in Rio and New Orleans), Carnevale is filled with parades, masks, feasts, and any other type of fun not allowed during the forty days of Lent. The festivities can begin weeks in advance, with weekends filled with celebration. It all comes to head the night before Ash Wednesday. This is the night that other parts of the world call Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday. Because it’s a tradition, everybody should go crazy that night. If you’re throwing a party, be sure to make Cannoli, as they are a traditional part of the festivities.
Important dates
| January 1 | Capodanno | New Year's Day |
| January 6 | Epifana | Feast of the Epiphany |
| Easter Monday | Pasquetta | Little Easter |
| April 25 | Liberation Day | |
| May 1 | Labor Day | |
| August 15 | Ferragosto | The Feast of the Assumption |
| November 1 | Ognissanti | All Saints Day |
| December 8 | The Immaculate Conception | |
| December 25 | Natale | Christmas |
| December 26 | St. Stephen’s Day |
