December 8 is an Italian and Catholic holiday: the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Cities throughout Italy celebrate with special masses, parades, and music. Many stores remain open for holiday shopping. Get your FREE copy of Dream of Italy's Christmas in Italy Guide
Cities throughout Italy celebrate Santa Lucia Day on December 13. Sicily hosts an especially large parade on December 13, bringing Santa Lucia's coffin to the Church of Santa Lucia. Another parade is held on December 20 to bring her back to the church's crypt. Get your FREE copy of Dream of Italy's Christmas in Italy Guide
The Cagliari Christmas market will have hand-made crafts and Sardinian food and wine. Get your FREE copy of Dream of Italy's Christmas in Italy Guide
The Pisa Marathon includes a full marathon and half marathon, and starts its course near the Leaning Tower. Note: 2016 dates have not been announced yet. Please check the event website for updates. Dream of Italy's Tuscany Travel Advice Event photo: www.flickr.com/photos/88018410@N04/8056095814/
In the evening of the 23rd of December, little "shepherd" boys and girls fill the streets of Civitavecchia, singing Christmas songs (in particular the traditional local song La Pastorella -- "the little shepherdess") and playing musical instruments in exchange for sweets and coins. The streets are filled with songs and music, a truly lovely traditional Italian Christmas evening. Get your FREE ...
More than 100 actors in period costume take the streets of Agira in this play on Christmas Eve, performing from the city center to Agira Castle. The play is accompanied by ancient craft demonstrations and music throughout the night. Get your FREE copy of Dream of Italy's Christmas in Italy Guide Event photo: www.flickr.com/photos/missuale/8564895001
A 12-meter-high sugar cane torch is carried by a procession to the town center in Oratino on Christmas Eve each year. Once next to the town's bell tower, the torch is blessed by the local priest and lit to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Get your FREE copy of Dream of Italy's Christmas in Italy Guide Event photo: www.flickr.com/photos/pietro_valocchi/4237536080
This 1000-year-old festival in Abbadia San Salvatore is a procession of candles and torches on Christmas Eve, commemorating the shepherds who followed the star to the site of Jesus's birth. Get your FREE copy of Dream of Italy's Christmas in Italy Guide
The town of Alagna features a nativity scene carved out of ice. Get your FREE copy of Dream of Italy's Christmas in Italy Guide
Christmas Eve at the Vatican draws enormous crowds to see midnight Mass and the huge Christmas tree in the piazza, but there are religious events occurring throughout December as well. Get your FREE copy of Dream of Italy's Christmas in Italy Guide
