Find Train Tickets in Italy

The legend of La Befana

On January 5th throughout Italy, excited children prepare for a late-night visit from La Befana by hanging up socks to be filled with small delights. Befana, a grandmotherly woman who resembles a kindly witch, brings gifts to good little children, depositing them in stockings hung above the hearth, then tidying up a bit before taking her leave. 

All the perfect ingredients for a traditional Italian Christmas dinner

Traditional Italian Christmas food isn’t just a meal — it’s more of an event. In Italy, Christmas eating starts at lunchtime then continues well into the night. 

There are a lot of dishes to keep track of if you’re thinking of creating your own Italian Christmas menu. We’ll break down the anatomy of this holiday meal, so that you’re better prepared to experience, eat, enjoy, and perhaps even prepare some dishes if you’re feeling inspired. 

What is traditional Christmas food in Italy? Let’s take a look.

Feast of the seven fishes: An Italian Christmas Eve tradition

There are many Italian Christmas traditions including the legend of La Befana, but have you ever heard of the Feast of the Seven Fishes? This tradition connects back to the long-standing Italian tradition of vigilia, a day of fasting that ends with a meal that excludes meat and dairy. After a full day of fasting on Christmas Eve, imagine the vigil night of December 24 as an endless feast of fish and pasta to fill hungry bellies.