Christmas in Italy can be a magical time to experience the country and immerse yourself in local traditions. December and January are also great months to visit Italy as these are the least visited. If you’re thinking of seeing Italy in a different light, then you should definitely consider a trip during the holidays.
The holidays are a time for light displays, Christmas music and, increasingly so, Christmas markets. Whether you plan to visit Italy during that time or want to brush up on your vocabulary, here is how to say Merry Christmas and Happy New Year in Italian, which will be helpful during your trip.
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Italian holiday traditions
After spending a few years in Italy, we can easily say that Christmas and New Year’s here are very different from our experience in Canada. For one, Italians observe December 24 as the more important day than we do in North America by gathering on December 25, Christmas Day. In fact, they celebrate a few key events from December 8 until the day of Epiphany, January 6, that we don’t.
Italy comes alive during the holiday season with a blend of heartfelt traditions, culinary delights, and festive gatherings that reflect its rich cultural heritage. Understanding these customs adds depth to the simple act of saying “Buon Natale” or “Felice Anno Nuovo.”
Christmas Eve (La Vigilia di Natale)
Christmas Eve is one of the most significant days of the Italian holiday season. Families gather for La Cena della Vigilia, a traditional dinner that often features an array of seafood dishes. Known as the Feast of Seven Fishes, it’s a Catholic tradition of abstaining from meat on the eve of holy days. Popular dishes you will encounter at Christmas dinner include spaghetti alle vongole (spaghetti with clams), baccalà (salted cod) and other seafood pastas.
The evening typically concludes with Midnight Mass (La Messa di Mezzanotte), where communities come together to celebrate the birth of Christ. Many of the TV channels also broadcast mass from the Vatican for those who want to watch it at home.
Christmas Day (Natale)
On Christmas Day, Italians come together with loved ones to share another grand feast that includes regional specialties. You might find dishes like tortellini in brodo (pasta in broth) in Emilia-Romagna, roast lamb or other meat. You’ll also find popular desserts like panettone and pandoro make an appearance. They may be accompanied by mascarpone cream as a sweet indulgence.
New Year’s Eve (Capodanno)
New Year’s Eve in Italy, known as Capodanno, is steeped in traditions designed to bring good fortune for the year ahead. One of the most popular customs is wearing red underwear, a symbol of luck and prosperity. The evening’s feast, Il Cenone di Capodanno, typically includes lentils, representing wealth due to their coin-like shape, and zampone (stuffed pig’s trotter) or cotechino (spiced sausage), symbolizing abundance.
At midnight, Italians celebrate with fireworks, toasts of prosecco or spumante, and a tradition of eating 12 grapes—one for each stroke of the clock—to ensure good luck for each month of the coming year. As the saying goes, “Chi mangia l’uva per Capodanno conta i quattrini tutto l’anno,” which means “he who eats grapes for New Year counts money all year round.” While we haven’t done the grapes at midnight, one of my favourite things to do once the clock strikes midnight is to look out and see the valley below us lit up with fireworks. They are everywhere.
Epiphany (La Befana)
The holiday season officially concludes on January 6 with Epiphany, celebrating the arrival of the Three Wise Men. It’s also the time for La Befana. According to legend, La Befana is an old woman who delivers gifts to children on this night. Most children eagerly await her visit, hoping for treats rather than coal in their stockings. I don’t know where they would find coal anyway, but the children don’t know that.
Celebrations between Christmas and New Year’s
Christmas celebrations begin on December 8 with the Feast of the Immaculate Conception (Festa dell’Immacolata Concezione). This is the time when cities turn on the festive lights, and families decorate their homes. On December 13, certain parts of the country celebrate Saint Lucy’s Day (Santa Lucia). Traditionally, Santa Lucia brought gifts to children on her donkey and much like they do for Santa Claus, the children would leave out tea for her and flour for her donkey.
Beginning with the Novena (nine days) on December 16, families attend special masses for religious observations. You’ll often see bagpipers (zampognari) playing festive songs at markets across the country. On December 24, Italians celebrate Christmas Eve (la vigilia di Natale) with family gatherings and Midnight Mass. Many families have their big dinners on this day before church, continuing the food and family gatherings on Christmas Day. Saint Stephen’s Day (Santo Stefano), known to North Americans as Boxing Day, is another opportunity for family gatherings and Christmas leftovers.
On New Year’s Eve (Capodanno), Italians celebrate with fireworks and parties, just like everyone else. The holiday celebrations come to an end with the Epiphany on January 6. This is when la Befana (Italian witch) flies in on her broom, leaving sweats for those who were good and coal for those who were bad.
How to say Merry Christmas and Happy New Year in Italian
The most common way to say Merry Christmas in Italian is Buon Natale. Another common saying is Buon Feste, which translates to Happy Holidays. Often the two are used together, so you can say Buon Natale e Buone Feste. You might also use the shorter version of Auguri to wish someone a Merry Christmas in Italian.
Buon Natale e Felice Anno Nuovo combines Merry Christmas and Happy New Year in Italian. You can also say Felice Anno Nuovo (Happy New Year) or Buon Anno (good year).
How to say Merry Christmas in Italian
| Auguri | Best wishes |
| Buon Natale | Merry Christmas |
| Ti auguro un Buon Natale | I wish you a Merry Christmas |
| Auguro a tutti Voi un Natale Sereno | I wish you all a Merry Christmas |
| Buone Feste | Happy Holidays |
| Buon Natale e Buone Feste | Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays |
| Auguri per un Natale sereno | Best wishes for a peaceful Christmas |
| Auguro a te e alla tua famiglia un sereno Natale | Wishing you and your family a peaceful Christmas |
| Auguro a te e alla tua famiglia un Ti auguro un Natale pieno di amore e felicità | I wish you a Christmas full of love and happiness |
| I miei migliori auguri per un Natale pieno di gioia | My very best wishes for a Christmas full of joy |
Italian Christmas vocabulary
In addition to knowing how to say Merry Christmas, here are a few other terms to help you navigate Italy as this time of the year.
| gli addobbi natalizi | Christmas decorations |
| l’albero di Natale | Christmas tree |
| Babbo Natale | Santa Claus |
| il biglietto di Natale | Christmas card |
| le canzoni di Natale | Christmas carols |
| la cena di Natale | Christmas dinner |
| la messa di Natale | Christmas (church) service |
| i regali di Natale | Christmas presents |
| il presepe | Nativity scene |
| l’elfo / il folletto | elf |
| la ghirlanda | Christmas wreath |
| il pupazzo di neve | snowman |
| la renna | reindeer |
| i Re Magi | the three wise kings |
| lo spirito natalizio | the Christmas spirit |
| la vigilia di Natale | Christmas Eve |
| il vischio | mistletoe |
| bastoncino di zucchero | candy cane |
| mercatini di Natale | Christmas market |
How to say Happy New Year in Italian
One Christmas is over, it’s time to ring in the new year. Here are a few key phrases for the occastion.
| Buone feste e tanti auguri | Happy Holidays and best wishes |
| Buon anno | Good year |
| Felice Anno Nuovo | Felice Anno Nuovo |
| Auguri per un felice 2025 | Best wishes for a happy 2025 |
| Buon anno! Auguri per un felice 2025! | Happy New Year! Best wishes for a happy 2025! |
| Capodanno | New Year’s Eve |
Conclusion
Now that you know how to say Merry Christmas and Happy New Year in Italian, you’re ready to go out and have fun. Italy is a great year-round destination, so why not visit during the holidays? It’s a great way to get into the holiday spirit and practice your Italian.
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