The Italian tradition of “La Befana” or the witch who appears at Epiphany is one close to Italian hearts. It marks the end of the Christmas season and New Year festivities, and despite the commercial figure of Santa Claus bearing no resemblance to any particular Italian practice, La Befana is truly a native celebration. The end of the 12 days of Christmas on January 6th is distinguished by displays of village get togethers and the taking down of decorations.

If you’re looking for the essence of La Befana while spending your Epiphany in Italy, you should try going to a town near Urbino. In the region of the Marche, legend has it that the town of Urbania hosts one of the houses of La Befana, and the locals take the thing seriously. The medieval town hosts events in honour of the witch said to bring coal or sugary treats to children.

If you’re closer to northern Italy, try the province of Treviso for bonfires whose sparks are said to tell the future of the year just begun. Milan celebrates the tradition of the Three Wise Men, and a parade include the figures of the three kings, passes from the square in front of the Duomo, to the Sant’Eustorgio Basilica in the Navigli area of the city.

Photo | Flickr

Continue reading: Epiphany in Italy: celebrating La Befana

The small town of Schio in the province of Vicenza has created what could be the world’s heaviest nativity scene, in a gathering of people forming the montage. The town organises a live nativity scene every year to celebrate Christmas in Italy, and this year’s effort could enter the Guinness World Record list.

Any proceeds from the nativity scene and the world will be donated to the Doctors with Africa Cuamm association. You can see this live nativity scene again on January 6th, when Epiphany and La Befana is celebrated in Italy. For more information on the Schio nativity scene, see the eppi-Veneto site.

Continue reading: Italian nativity scenes: world record for the heaviest Nativity scene from Schio

For some diversion on Sunday after Christmas, here is the Vodafone Christmas Card commercial featuring Italy’s star football player for Rome, Francesco Totti, as Santa Claus. He, together with his wife Ilary Blasi, is the face of Vodafone in Italy, and they often appear in commercials together. This time Totti has the last word, saying to Ilary “don’t you turn into La Befana”.

Continue reading: Francesco Totti as Father Christmas