Italian Christmas Eve Traditions

Italian christmas eve traditions

Start feasting on La Vigilia di Natale (Christmas Eve) Of course, Christmas is the time to indulge and enjoy yourself to the fullest. That's why Italians celebrate Christmas Eve with a large feast known as La Vigilia on December 24th. Traditionally, Italian Christmas Eve dinner is a meat-free meal.

What do Italians do on December 24th?

December 24th is a national holiday in Italy. All shops are closed and public transport is pretty much non-existent. Families usually come together for a special dinner before making their way to evening or midnight mass. The meal traditionally consists of fish courses and panettone for dessert.

What Italians eat on Christmas Eve?

Italian Christmas Eve - Feast of the Seven Fishes Bring on the sword fish, tuna, salmon, octopus salad, smelts, calamari, spaghetti with clam sauce and the famous Italian classic—salted cod, known as baccalà. The Feast of the Seven Fishes can also include other meatless dishes, which vary by region.

What do Italians not eat on Christmas Eve?

Every region (or even every town!) has its own customs, but if there's one tradition that everyone in Italy can agree on, it's not eating meat on Christmas Eve. December 24 is the time for fish or cheese dishes to shine.

What are 3 traditions in Italy for Christmas?

One old Italian custom is that children go out Carol singing and playing songs on shepherds pipes, wearing shepherds sandals and hats. On Christmas Eve, it's common that no meat (and also sometimes no dairy) is eaten. Often a light seafood meal is eaten and then people go to the Midnight Mass service.

Do Italians not eat meat on Christmas Eve?

Fish and seafood Catholic tradition prohibits the consumption of meat on the evenings before religious holidays. Most Italians, therefore, eat a fishy feast on Christmas Eve.

Why is Christmas Eve big for Italians?

According to Italians, Christmas Eve or 'La Vigilia' is the most important day of the Christmas period. At midnight in Rome on December 24th, church bells are rung throughout the city at the same time as cannons are fired from 'Castel Sant'Angelo' to celebrate the birth of baby Jesus.

Does Italy celebrate Christmas on 24th or 25th?

25th December – Christmas Day The 25ht of December, Christmas Day, is the biggest celebration of all and Italy usually marks it with big family lunches.

What are 3 traditions in Italy?

Here are eight for your list:

• Epiphany and La Befana. Throughout Florence, it is tradition for an old woman to deliver gifts to children on Epiphany Eve.
• Carnevale. ...
• Florentine New Year. ...
• Scoppio del Carro. ...
• Patron Saint Feast Day. ...
• Notte Bianca. ...
• Festa della Rificolana. ...
• Republic Day.

What is a traditional Christmas Eve meal?

Chicken, turkey and ham usually are the stars of Christmas, so why not spice up your Christmas Eve dinner with some lamb? These melt in your mouth lamb chops can simmer in the slow cooker while you wrap any last-minute presents.

What is the main course for an Italian Christmas Eve dinner?

It's traditional for Italian-Americans to host a big Feast of the Seven Fishes for their Christmas Eve dinner. So, we've made sure to include recipes like shrimp scampi, crab-stuffed mushrooms, grilled lobster tails, and more.

Is there a traditional Christmas Eve meal?

Turkey is classic, of course, as is ham, but you could also serve a roast chicken, roast beef, or pork tenderloin.

What are the 7 fishes for Italian Christmas Eve?

This pasta involves seven fish: clams, mussels, halibut, shrimp, anchovy, calamari and scallops.

Do Italians fast on Christmas Eve?

This tradition connects back to the long-standing Italian tradition of vigilia, a day of fasting that ends with a meal that excludes meat and dairy. After a full day of fasting on Christmas Eve, imagine the vigil night of December 24 as an endless feast of fish and pasta to fill hungry bellies.

Why do Italians do 7 fishes on Christmas Eve?

The ancient tradition of eating fish on Christmas Eve dates from the Roman Catholic custom of abstinence from meat and dairy products on the eve of certain holidays, including Christmas.

What are 5 Italian traditions?

5 Italian Traditions You'll Surely Want To Know

• Family. For Italians, family is the most important part of life.
• Music. Italians absolutely love music. ...
• Religion. Most Italians are Roman Catholic. ...
• Holidays and celebrations. Italians embrace any reason to get together with family. ...
• Architecture and art.

What do Italians drink on Christmas?

Vin brulé Mulled wine or vin brulé is a Piedmont tradition and a classic Italian holiday cocktail. A common beverage found in Christmas markets, Vin brulé is the simple combination of mulling spices and red wine, often fortified with liquor like brandy or rum.

What is unique about Christmas in Italy?

1. Christmas festivities don't end on December 25. In Italy the holiday spirit begins on December 8th, day of the Immaculate Conception (Immacolata Concezione), when many Italians traditionally decorate their Christmas trees and put up Nativity scenes. It ends on January 6th, the Epiphany.

Do Italians eat seafood on Christmas Eve?

The Feast of the Seven Fishes, or “Festa dei Sette Pesci”, is a Christmas Eve tradition in many Italian households. Most popular in Southern Italy and in Italian-American homes, this Christmas Eve feast stems from Catholics abstaining from meat in commemoration of waiting for the birth of baby Jesus.

What do Sicilians eat on Christmas Eve?

Sicilian Feast of the Seven Fishes for Christmas Eve

• Crab and Clam Arancini (Appetizer)
• Mussels in Wine Sauce.
• Shrimp Bisque.
• Baccalà- Salted Cod in Butter & Wine Reduction.
• Scallops in Browned Butter.
• Skillet Bang Bang Shrimp with Sriracha Dipping Sauce.

11 Italian christmas eve traditions Images

Pin on Christmas Delights

Our Christmas Eve tradition Christmas Eve Traditions Cocoa Gift

Pin on Feast of 7 Fishes 2

Pin on Thanksgiving Meals

Christmas Eve Traditions for Couples Christmas eve traditions

Philomenas Italian Christmas Eve wwwamazoncom Christmas Eve Meal

Italian Christmas Eve at Grammy Calderonis house MMMMMM httpwww

Pin on Italian New Years

Top Christmas Eve traditions Christmas Fun Novelty Christmas

the cover of italian christmas eve and christmas day recipes with