ITALIAN FESTIVE TRADITIONS

The importance of family, togetherness, expressions of love and sharing meals on special occasions run deep in Italian culture. This makes Christmas a particularly treasured time in Italy. The country’s festive celebrations stretch out over a full month, largely within the local piazzas.

Here, we look at some of the most popular Italian festive traditions so you can bring a uniquely Italian-inspired twist to your Christmas celebrations.

ITALIAN FESTIVE TRADITIONS

Italian culture is full of traditions, and even more so at Christmas time. Italians begin their Christmas celebrations on 8^th December when they bring out their festive decorations, the Christmas markets open up, and enormous Christmas trees appear in piazzas nationwide. The festivities then continue until the ‘Epiphany’ (La Befana) national holiday on 6th January. The most important Christmas traditions in Italy, include:

ITALIAN CHRISTMAS MARKETS

In the lead up to Christmas, local Christmas markets are set up with glittering lights and a cheerful festive atmosphere. Here are some of the most magical markets:

The Underground Market, Perugia: Held in the uniquely atmospheric Rocca Paolina, a 15^th century underground fortress, this Christmas market is known for its quality handcrafted gifts (traditional and unusual) and customary local foods.
Bassano del Grappa, Veneto: Piazza Garibaldi and Piazza Libertà are idyllic locations for the rows of charming wooden huts offering handicrafts, foods and original festive gifts.
Bressanone, South Tyrol: This Christmas market sits under the breath-taking backdrop of ‘Dôme de Bressanone’, a striking, double-spired cathedral. Italians come here to enjoy a popular music and light show, along with local food specialities and colourful alpine-inspired artisanal crafts.
Piazza Navona Christmas Market, Rome: Rome’s beautiful Piazza Navona hosts the capital’s most famous Christmas market featuring local delicacies, street musicians and colourful nativity scenes.

FESTIVE PIAZZA ENTERTAINMENT

It is custom in Italian culture to socialise and spend time outdoors in the local piazzas during the festive period, making them as bustling as the summer months. Whilst some head there for the infamous Christmas markets, others come to see the huge twinkling Christmas trees and hear the uplifting sounds of carol singers as they enjoy an al fresco BIRRA MORETTI Aperitivo.

DISCOVER OUR APERITIVO AT HOME IDEAS

In southern Italy, piazzas also play host to one of the country’s more eccentric festive Italian Christmas traditions. ‘Zampognari’, bagpipe-playing shepherds, perform to enthusiastic onlookers.

ITALIAN CHRISTMAS FOOD & DRINK

Preparing and sharing great food at home is part of everyday life in Italy, and is best accompanied with BIRRA MORETTI. This tradition becomes even more important at Christmas, with abundant home-based feasts lovingly prepared using traditional recipes passed down through generations. Here’s some of our favourites:

'La Festa dei Sette Pesci' (Feast of Seven Fishes) on ‘La Vigilia Natale’ (Christmas Eve): This popular evening feast is enjoyed before midnight Mass at the local church. Meat is firmly off the menu, in favour of seven (or more) courses of delicious seafood and pasta dishes. It includes everything from ‘capitone’ (eel) to vermicelli with mussels/clams in the south, through to ‘baccalà’ (salt cod) and anchovy-filled lasagne in the north.

If you decide to give this tradition a go, we recommend serving your BIRRA MORETTI L’AUTENTICA and BIRRA MORETTI ZERO at a slightly warmer temperature. At around 10-12°C, they pair particularly well with fish-based dishes.

‘Il giorno di Natale’ (Christmas Day): Meat is back on the table (along with more pasta) for a huge lunchtime feast. The antipasto traditionally includes cured meats and cheeses, so why not try our antipasti with rosemary focaccia?

Traditional pasta dishes include ‘pasta in brodo’ (pasta in broth) and other pastas containing meat (like ravioli, tortellini and lasagne) followed by ‘bollito (boiled meats), roasts (typically veal and lamb) and then sweet-bread desserts like panettone and pandoro.

‘Il Giorno di Santo Stefano’ (St. Stephen’s Day): The 26^th December sees Italians making creative use of ‘avanzi’ (leftovers). Everything from mixing unused pasta with eggs and cheese to make a ‘frittata di pasta’, or soaking slices of panettone in coffee for a tiramisu.

DISCOVER OUR ROSEMARY FOCACCIA BREAD RECIPE HERE

GIFTING

Depending on the region, Italians exchange their gifts either on Christmas Day (after lunch), on 13^th December (when St. Lucia delivers gifts to children) and/or 6^th January on Epiphany Eve, following a visit from the gift-giving 'La Befana' (an old lady known as the ‘good witch’).

Expressions of love are engrained in Italian culture. So, as well as presents, another popular Italian festive tradition is for children to write letters of love to their parents, wrapped as gifts. After unwrapping them, parents read them aloud at the table. Why not give this uniquely Italian tradition a go on Christmas Day with your loved ones?

ST. STEPHENS DAY

On ‘il giorno di Santo Stefano’ (St. Stephen’s Day), many Italians leave their homes for ‘una passeggiata’, a relaxed stroll through the town visiting ‘presepe’ (nativity scenes) in the local churches. St. Stephen’s Day also sees colourful carnivals, events and Christmas festivals, which bring the streets and piazzas alive with a truly magical atmosphere. After spending time outside, Italians then head back for another midday feast.

Consider giving this Italian festive tradition a go with your family on Boxing Day by making time for a fresh air walk into your local town, before heading back for lunch.

BUON NATALE (MERRY CHRISTMAS)

At Christmas time in Italy, it’s the simplest pleasures that create the most joy. Time with family and friends, soaking up the festive atmosphere at Christmas markets and in the local piazzas, and enjoying delicious Italian food alongside authentic BIRRA MORETTI.

Enjoy stepping away from the pressures of the festive season in favour of a more relaxed Italian-inspired Christmas where the focus is on family, food and simplicity - ‘Buon Natale’!

DISCOVER OUR RECIPES HERE

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Italian Festive Traditions | Birra Moretti

ITALIAN FESTIVE TRADITIONS