Christmas Italy: how to survive a holiday in a place where it lives according to its own laws
Christmas Italy is not a single scenario, but hundreds of local stories. Each region has its own rituals, its own sweets, even its own characters instead of Santa Claus. If you think it all comes down to Piazza Navona and Panettone, you haven’t seen the real Italy Christmas yet.
Below is what won’t be shown in the mass tours, but what makes December truly magical here.
Rare Christmas rituals that have been preserved only in villages
– Farchie in Abruzzo — giant straw torches that are carried through the streets on January 17th.
– U Scanu in Calabria is a procession with masks and bells, symbolizing the expulsion of evil spirits.
– La Notte delle Cento Folle in Trentino is the night of a hundred fairy tales, when elders tell legends by the fireplace.
– Zampognari in Molise — shepherds in goat skins playing ancient bagpipes since December 8th.
These rituals are not advertised, but you can see them if you know where to go and who to contact.
Many of them take place in villages with a population of less than 2,000 people — tourist buses do not reach there. The Italiatut team will help you organize a unique journey through Christmas Italy!
Little-known Christmas markets where there are no crowds
– Mercatino di Natale di Bussolengo — in the province of Verona, without advertising, but with handicrafts from local craftsmen.
– Mercato di Natale di Gubbio — in Umbria, against the background of the illuminated Via dei Consoli.
– Fiera di Santa Lucia in Syracuse — Sicilian market with Caltagirone ceramics and pupi (traditional dolls).
– Mercatino di Natale di Orvieto — in the underground galleries of the ancient city, where honey cakes are sold according to the recipe of the XII century.
You won’t find standard souvenirs with the Italian emblem in these places. But you can buy a hand-carved wooden Christmas tree toy or a candle made from beeswax from a local beekeeper.
Regional Christmas dishes that the guidebooks are silent about
– Cappone ripieno in Piedmont — a rooster stuffed with mushrooms and chestnuts, cooked only on December 25th.
– Pitta ‘mpigliata in Calabria — dough roll with honey, nuts and grape juice.
– Cartellate in Puglia — crispy curls, drizzled with grape syrup and sprinkled with sesame seeds.
– Struffoli in Campania — dough balls in honey, decorated with candied fruits and sprinkled with diavulilli.
These dishes are almost not served in restaurants for tourists. They are prepared in homes, and sometimes they are sold in church parishes or on street stalls near markets.
How to move around Christmas Italy without stress
– Avoid high—speed Frecciarossa trains on December 24-25 – they are crowded, tickets are 40% more expensive.
– Use regional buses — they are cheaper and stop in small towns.
– Rent a car with winter tires — in mountainous regions, their availability is mandatory by law.
– Check in advance if vaporetto is open in Venice on December 24-26 — the schedule changes frequently.
In December, many small stations close their ticket offices, so it is better to buy tickets online in advance.
How to prepare for a trip to Christmas Italy
1. Book your accommodation before November 20th — after that, prices for holidays increase by 30-50%.
2. Specify the opening hours of the museums: on December 25-26, many are closed, even the Vatican Museums.
3. Download offline maps of the regions – the Internet may be lost in mountainous and rural areas.
If this is your first trip to Christmas Italy, do not plan more than two locations per trip.
The depth of impressions is more important than the number of cities visited.
For those who want not just to see, but to live Christmas Italy, the GIDtut team offers guided tours.
If you still have any questions or don’t know where to start, write to us on Telegram.
Our experts will help you choose a route and accommodation and prepare you for a stress-free holiday.
