Christmas is a very special time in Italy and many Italians will attend a midnight mass on December 24 th . But the holiday season is not only about Christmas in Italy and many of the traditions that are celebrated around that time of year are observed in honor of important catholic saints as well as Italian folk traditions. A month of celebrations begins on December 6 th with La Festa di San Nicola. In the town of Pollutri, beans are cooked in caldrons over fires to commemorate the miracle of Saint Nicholas who saved the town from starvation with a handful of beans. The festivities continue on December 8 th with the celebration of L’Immacolata Concezione (the immaculate conception). Processions commemorate the important event, and many families raise Christmas trees and other decorations throughout the day. Special dishes are served for the La Festa di Santa Lucia on December 13 th and some families celebrate with the exchange of small gifts. But the main event is Christmas dinner and midnight mass. Many Catholics gather to hear the Pope’s speech on Christmas morning, and children open the gifts that were left overnight by Gesu’ Bambino (Baby Jesus). The nativity scene is the universal symbol of Christmas in Italy, far more important than Christmas trees, and they are displayed in almost every church, town square, and family home. Some are rustic, some are decorated with regal elegance, and some are ancient and priceless. The festivities continue with La Festa di Santo Stefano on December 26 th , La Festa di San Silvestro on December 31, Il Capodanno on New Year’s Day, and finally La Festa dell’Epifania on January 6 th which ends the month of celebration.
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