New Year in Italy
New Year in Italy, or Capodanno, is celebrated with fireworks, big public parties in city squares (like Bologna, Salerno), lavish dinners featuring lentils (for wealth) and pork, wearing red underwear for luck, and sometimes throwing old items out windows (especially Naples), all leading to a joyful, firework-filled midnight welcoming the new year with promises of good fortune and a fresh start.
Key Traditions & Customs
Food: Lentils (lenticchie) served with cotechino or zampone (sausages) symbolize coins for prosperity; grapes are also eaten for good luck.
Clothing: Wearing red underwear (especially new or gifted) brings good luck and fertility for the year ahead.
Fireworks & Parties: Major celebrations happen in piazzas with concerts and fireworks; smaller towns might have bonfires where straw figures are burned.
Throwing Things Out the Window: A historic custom (especially in the South, like Naples) to toss old items out to signify letting go of the past, though less common now for safety.
Midnight Kiss & Toast: A kiss with someone of the opposite sex at midnight is good luck; sparkling wine is popped.
Where to Experience It
Bologna: Known for its traditional "Burning of the Old Man" (falò dell'uomo vecchio) bonfire in Piazza Maggiore with fireworks.
Salerno: Famous for its spectacular Christmas lights (Luci d'Artista) that extend through New Year's.
Ferrara: Features a stunning fireworks display at the Estense Castle at midnight.
Catania: Hosts large concerts and celebrations in Piazza Duomo.
New Year's Day (Capodanno)
A national holiday where many shops, museums, and public transport run limited services.
It's a day for relaxing, enjoying family, a big lunch, and quiet reflection before the Epiphany celebrations (January 6th).
Key Traditions & Customs
Food: Lentils (lenticchie) served with cotechino or zampone (sausages) symbolize coins for prosperity; grapes are also eaten for good luck.
Clothing: Wearing red underwear (especially new or gifted) brings good luck and fertility for the year ahead.
Fireworks & Parties: Major celebrations happen in piazzas with concerts and fireworks; smaller towns might have bonfires where straw figures are burned.
Throwing Things Out the Window: A historic custom (especially in the South, like Naples) to toss old items out to signify letting go of the past, though less common now for safety.
Midnight Kiss & Toast: A kiss with someone of the opposite sex at midnight is good luck; sparkling wine is popped.
Where to Experience It
Bologna: Known for its traditional "Burning of the Old Man" (falò dell'uomo vecchio) bonfire in Piazza Maggiore with fireworks.
Salerno: Famous for its spectacular Christmas lights (Luci d'Artista) that extend through New Year's.
Ferrara: Features a stunning fireworks display at the Estense Castle at midnight.
Catania: Hosts large concerts and celebrations in Piazza Duomo.
New Year's Day (Capodanno)
A national holiday where many shops, museums, and public transport run limited services.
It's a day for relaxing, enjoying family, a big lunch, and quiet reflection before the Epiphany celebrations (January 6th).
26-30, F
