Italian New Year's Eve Traditions

On December 31, cultures around the world welcome il capodanno, the New Year. In Italy, a country that already loves a festival, the date is especially auspicious: it is also the feast day of Pope San Silvestro.

San Silvestro

San Silvestro, known as Saint Sylvester in English, died on December 31, 335 C.E. Not much was recorded of his papacy, so he remains a mysterious figure. Tales of his reign include baptizing Roman Emperor Constantine, curing leprosy and slaying a dragon. A legendary pope gets a legendary night of fireworks every year.

Festivities

December 31 is not an official public holiday in Italy, but it is celebrated across all 20 regions. City centers fill with the combined revelry of La Festa di San Silvestro and New Year's Eve: fireworks, concerts, festivals, dancing, bonfires and, our favorite, feasts.

In parts of southern Italy, tradition still has locals throw their old things out the window to show they are ready for the New Year.

Feasts

Food and drink are central to the night. Pork represents richness of life and lentils symbolize wealth and money. Superstition says the coming year will bring prosperity if both are on the table on New Year's Eve, so dinner often features cotechino con lenticchie, a sausage-and-lentil dish that promises riches ahead.

An Italian sparkling wine is a must, both to begin the meal and to close it with a toast to the year to come. Want to go bigger? Sustainable caviar is another way to say salute in style.

Buon Capodanno. Find your local Eataly to join the New Year's Eve celebrations.