Meet 'La Befana' – Italy’s Good Witch of Christmas!

Now, we’ve all heard of Santa Claus (or ‘Babbo Natale’ in Italian), but what about the Good Witch, La Befana? In Italy, this legendary lady is as much a part of the Christmas period, as the jolly bearded man! The friendly old hag brings gifts to good girls and boys on the holy day of Epiphany in Italy and is adored and celebrated across the country.  

A puppet of La Befana, the Good Witch of Italy 

Read on to discover the tale of La Befana, the good witch of Christmas in Italy! 

The popular rhyme in Italian goes… 

"La Befana vien di notte 

con le scarpe tutte rotte 

col vestito alla romana 

viva viva la Befana!" 

"The Befana comes by night, 

With her shoes all tattered and torn, 

She comes dressed in the Roman way, 

Long live the Befana!"

But who is La Befana? 

The story goes that long, long ago, an old lady called Befana lived alone, preferring her own company. She was a gentle spirit and among her many talents, one was being an excellent housekeeper. She would be forever sweeping the floors, baking and singing all day long.  

One day, Three Wise Men passed by. They were on their way to Bethlehem. The three wise men were following the brightest star in the night sky. They wanted nothing more than to find baby Jesus Christ, so they could present him with gifts. They asked Befana if she’d like to join them on their quest. She politely declined, explaining she was too busy with her chores.  

It was not long until she came to regret her decision! So to make up for it she set out herself to find the Three Wise Men. She went on with a bag of sweets, knocking on every other door and giving treats to kids in the hope that she would find Baby Jesus!  

Tip: If you are curious about Christmas traditions in Italy or Christmas dishes to dig into on your next trip to the country? Have a look at our blogs right here: Italian Christmas Traditions and Traditional Italian Christmas dishes. 

The three wise men travel towards Bethlehem 

What date is La Befana in Italy? 

More than 2,000 years later, Befana is said to visit children 12 days after Christmas on 6 January for the Epiphany. The Italian Christmas witch is said to fly on her broomstick across the land to seek out all the children. She enters their homes down the chimney and leaves good children with a wonderful present (just in case they happen to be Jesus Christ). The gifts are often chocolates and sweets. Naughty children though are left a lump of coal! However, nowadays it is also popular for parents to treat their kids, no matter if they have been bad or good, to carbone della Befana (edible coal candies made out of sugar). 

La Befana is often depicted as covered in soot and flying on her broomstick. Italians believe she's able to sweep away the problems of the year with her broomstick, to make everything warm and welcoming for the year ahead. 

The black edible coal candies or the Carbone della Befana 

Celebrate Epiphany or La Befana like the Italians! 

How is Epiphany celebrated in Italy?  

Families traditionally leave out a plate of food and a glass of wine for Italy’s Christmas witch. Each year, the famous National Befana festival takes place in Urbania, in the region Marche, which is also thought to be the original home of the good witch of Christmas. Join in and savour live music, costumed street parades, dancing and celebrating the broomstick flight of the Good Witch! 

In the northeastern part of Italy,  many cities celebrate La Befana with big bonfires called falò del vecchione, wherein il vecchio (an old man puppet) is burnt and means that it is time to bring in the new. In the Veneto region, in Venice particularly, Regatta della Befana takes place to celebrate the Epiphany. The event is a race with participants dressed as ”befanas” racing to reach the Rialto Bridge on the Grand Canal of the city. 

Tip: Many Christmas markets in Italy remain open till Epiphany, one of which is the famous Merano Christmas Market (also perfect for last-minute gifts for Epiphany)! You can also book your stay in Merano now! 

The biggest wooden nativity scene in Italy located in South Tyrol 

What do people eat on Epiphany in Italy? 

Truth be told, Epiphany can really be called the Halloween of Italy because there are so many sweet treats to try from just about every region.  

In Piedmont, the typical Epiphany dish is very similar to the French Gallete de Rois and is called the Focaccia della Befana (a round candied brioche). And just like the French Epiphany dish, the focaccia has 2 beans in it: one black and one white and whoever gets the black bean has to pay for the wine while the white one has to pay for the focaccia.  

In Veneto, pinza is quite loved by the entire population and is a yummy and wholesome cake made of cornmeal, candied orange, grappa, dried fruits and nuts. It is also believed that if a woman eats 7 pieces of focaccia in 7 different houses she visits on the day of Epiphany, then she will get married within the year!  

Other popular sweets are Biscotti Befanini (Befana cookies from Tuscany), Cavallucci di Siena (soft biscuits from Siena), Struffoli (fried balls of sweet dough from Campania), Cammelli di pasta sfoglia (puff pastry camels from Varese) and Anicini Liguri (biscuits from Liguria served with wine)! 

The soft Sienese cookies called Cavallucci di Siena enjoyed during Epiphany 

Though the popular saying is L’Epifania, tutte le feste porta via , meaning the Epiphany carries away the festivities, there is actually much to be enjoyed and relished on this special holiday in Italy! 

Looking to celebrate other festivals than Christmas at this amazing holiday destination? Consider spending Easter in Italy with your loved ones!  

Or if you have fallen in love with the idea of making this country your home for a while, then check out our guide on Digital Nomads in Italy and book your ideal accomodation in some of the best destinations of Italy.