Public holiday in Italy
La Befana in Italy
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
Nationwide public holiday
La Befana in Italy is the public holiday on 6 January, the Feast of the Epiphany. It is widely associated with the folkloric figure of Befana, the old woman who brings gifts to children on the night before the feast.
About La Befana in Italy
In Italy, 6 January is a nationwide public holiday and the last major date in the Christmas season. It combines the religious feast of the Epiphany with a strongly established folk image of Befana, so the day is observed both in church settings and in family life. Because it falls at the end of the school and holiday period, it is often treated as a final festive day before normal routines resume. The date is fixed and observed across the country, making it one of the most familiar annual holidays in the Italian calendar.
History
The Italian Befana figure developed from the Epiphany tradition: the name comes from a popular corruption of “Epifania.” Over time, Italian folklore gave the feast a character of its own, turning the night of 5 January and the morning of 6 January into a child-focused gift-giving occasion. The holiday’s public status reflects the long-standing importance of Epiphany in Italy rather than a separate modern legal commemoration.
Traditions
Children commonly leave stockings out for Befana, who is said to fill them with sweets for well-behaved children and with coal or other dark treats for the naughty. In many parts of Italy, the holiday is also associated with visiting relatives, sharing seasonal food, and finishing the last sweets and pastries of the Christmas period. The image of Befana as an elderly woman on a broom is the holiday’s best-known symbol in Italy.
How La Befana is celebrated in Italy
On 6 January, many Italians mark the day with family gatherings, church services tied to the Epiphany, and gift exchanges for children. In some towns and cities, public events or local reenactments feature Befana arriving in costume, often on a broom, to hand out sweets. The holiday also serves as the close of the Christmas season in many homes, with decorations taken down after Epiphany.
Interesting facts
La Befana is nationwide in Italy, unlike some other holiday customs that are mainly regional. The date is one of the few fixed public holidays that always falls at the end of the Christmas period in the Italian calendar.
Dates in published calendars
| Year | Holiday date | Observed date | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 6 Jan 2026 | — | Nationwide |
Import sources
- Generic ICS feed
An import is not an independent verification.