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
The entire town of Monteleone in Umbria creates a living nativity (presepe vivante) to celebrate Christmas on Dec. 24, Dec. 26 and Jan. 6. Get your FREE copy of Dream of Italy's Christmas in Italy Guide
An entire town in Umbria creates a living nativity (presepe vivante) on Dec. 24 and 26 and Jan. 6 to celebrate Christmas.
Though towns across Italy host living nativity scenes, the original and, arguably, best is in Greccio. The tradition originated in Greccio nearly 800 years ago, when St. Francis created the first living nativity scene. Please check the event website for updated dates. Get your FREE copy of Dream of Italy's Christmas in Italy Guide
Tracase, almost at the tip of the Italian heel, is often called The Bethlehem of Italy. Supported entirely by volunteers from civic groups and schools, everyone from children to grown-ups (about 250 residents in total) dress in period costumes that transform the town into a Nativity pageant. The tradition was started in 1976 by resident Andrea Rizzo. -- Sharon Sanders ...
Cool jazz can heat up winter in Umbria. As sister festival to the summer jazz event held in Perugia, this festival spreads jazz throughout the city in myriad forms -- evening concerts, jazz-accompanied lunches, outdoor and indoor concerts, and more, with all flavors and styles of jazz showcased. Highlights include twice-daily marching parades featuring Funk Off, the New Year's Eve ...
