From a public vacation to Christmas market openings and a normal strike, this is what to anticipate in Italy this week.
Monday, December Eighth – Public vacation
Italy’s Feast of the Immaculate Conception (Festa dell’Immacolata Concezione) is a vital date within the Catholic calendar and a nationwide public vacation. As it falls on a Monday, we get a protracted weekend this time round.
The day symbolically marks the start of the Christmas interval for a lot of , which means it is time to put up your tree and decorations.
READ ALSO: What is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception?
From this date, life in Italy noticeably slows down and it may be more durable to get paperwork accomplished as folks ease into vacation mode. You might discover it simpler to postpone any main life admin till January.
Christmas markets open
Italy’s festive evrnts calendar will get into full swing from this week, as ore of the nation’s greatest Christmas markets open on December Eighth, reworking metropolis squares into festive wonderlands.
Rome’s iconic Piazza Navona market (December Eighth-January sixth) options over 50 stalls, puppet reveals, a historic carousel and La Befana appearances on Epiphany.
READ ALSO: Italy’s Christmas markets: Where and when to go to in 2025
Florence’s markets proceed by way of December, whereas smaller cities throughout the nation launch their very own festive markets providing native crafts, seasonal treats and mulled wine.
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Rome Christmas tree lighting
In Rome, the well-known Christmas tree normally arrange in Piazza Venezia has been moved to Piazza del Popolo this 12 months as a consequence of building work for Metro Line C.
The fir tree will reportedly come instantly from Como, will probably be a minimum of twenty meters tall, and, as is custom, will probably be lit on December Eighth.
Artigiano in Fiera craft truthful in Milan
The world’s largest worldwide craft truthful runs from December sixth till 14th at Fiera Milano Rho, bringing collectively 2,800 artisans from 90 nations/
Running by way of December 14th, this huge exhibition showcases handmade merchandise and artisanal present concepts, from trend to furnishings, plus meals zones that includes 27 worldwide eating places.
Entry is free with registration, and the venue is accessible through Metro Line 1 to Rho Fiera station. More data right here
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Friday, December twelfth – Nationwide normal strike
Rail passengers face doable journey disruption as main commerce union CGIL has referred to as a nationwide normal strike – the second inside two weeks.
Rail companies may see disruption from midnight till 9pm. The strike is not set to influence flights, and Rome’s Atac companies will not be affected, in accordance with the union.
READ ALSO:
The protest targets the federal government’s 2026 finances, with unions demanding larger funding in public companies and wage will increase.
Saturday, December thirteenth – Feast of Santa Lucia
The patron saint of Syracuse, Sicily – who’s additionally the saint of the blind – is commemorated with La Festa di Santa Lucia.
Festive markets and light-weight reveals in honour of the saint pop up throughout the nation. In some northern areas, Santa Lucia is seen virtually like Santa Claus, and brings items to youngsters who pass over letters and treats for her and her donkey on the night time of December twelfth.
READ ALSO: How and why Italy celebrates Santa Lucia on December thirteenth
Krampus parade in Castelrotto
One of northern Italy’s greatest Krampus parades takes place in Castelrotto/Kastelruth in South Tyrol, held each two years.
Around 52 Krampus teams with roughly 1,000 Tuifl from throughout the Alps will parade by way of the village from 2pm. The festivities embrace music, meals and drinks on the Christmas market.
This Alpine custom options costumed figures representing the half-goat, half-demon creature from folklore who punishes naughty youngsters throughout the Christmas season.
