Calendar of Events for Christmas

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The period from December 24th to January 6th is one of the most celebrated in Italy (perhaps trailing only Easter, August 15th and Carnival). Everywhere you go you'll find living nativity scenes, which might be comprised of a dozen local citizens around a simple campfire, or hundreds of participants from an entire region, all dressed in colorful traditional costumes and performing in elaborate life-size recreations of the Holy Manger. Here are a few local celebrations:

• Abruzzo
  • Rivisondoli: Living Nativity Scene with hundreds of costumed figures re-enacting the arrival of the Three Kings at the manger (January 5).

• Apulia
  • Pezze di Greco: Living Nativity Scene (December 25-January 3).

• Calabria
  • Celico: Living Nativity Scene (December 25).

• Friuli Venezia-Giulia
  • Tarcento: Pignarul Giant Bonfire Festival (January 6).
  • Cividale: Historical Pageant and Costume Parade (January 6).
  • Gemona: Messa del Tallero Medieval Pageant (January 6).
  • Alesso: Twenty Year Festival (December 31).
  • Resia, Cicigolis (Pulfero): La Koleda (December 31).
  • Sauris, Cicigolis, Cave del Predi: Star Festival.
  • Paularo: La Femenate Bonfire (January 6).

• Latium
  • Greccio: Re-enactment of St. Francis Building the First Nativity Scene (Christmas Eve).

• Liguria
  • Calizzano: Living Nativity Scene (December).
  • Roccavignale: Living Nativity Scene (December).
  • Diano Arentino: Living Nativity Scene (December).
  • Riomaggiore: Nativity Scene (December).

• Lombardy
  • Milan: Epiphany Parade of the Three Kings proceeds from the Duomo to the church of Sant'Eustorgio (January 6).

• Piedmont
  • Asti: Silver and Gold in the Night: New Year's festivities organized by neighborhood committies (December 31).
  • Alagna: Ice Nativity Scene (Christmas Eve).
  • Cessole: Living Nativity Scene with Re-Enactment of Ancient Professions, followed by hot chocolate, vin brûlé, roasted chestnuts and grappa (Christmas Eve).
  • Maranzana: Living Nativity Scene with Costumed Parade and Re-Enactment of Ancient Professions, followed by vin brûlé and roasted chestnuts (Christmas Eve).
  • Moncalvo: Santa Claus gives gifts to the children (December 22).
  • Roatto: Bonfire Celebration and Exchange of Gifts, followed by panettone, spumante and bruschetta (Christmas Eve).
  • Schierano (Passerano Marmorito): Torchlit Re-Enactment of Christmas Eve in Costume (Christmas Eve).

• Sicily
  • Piana degli Albanesi: Greek Orthodox Ritual and Procession (January 6), incorporating traditional Albanian costumes and rituals.
  • Acireale: Living Nativity Scene (December).

• Trentino Alto-Adige
  • Cavalese: Trial of the Witches (first week of January).
  • Tesero: The Nativity Representation (December).

• Veneto
  • Bibione: Living Nativity Scene, Church of S.M. Assunta (December 24-25).

• All Regions
  • In many mountain communities residents ski down the nearby slopes bearing torches, forming a blazing nighttime display.

Almost every small village stages a living nativity scene on Christmas eve, followed by midnight mass and often, distribution of food and drink.

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