Epiphany in Italy: La Befana, Where to Celebrate and What’s Open (2027)

Epiphany in Italy falls on January 6 and closes the Christmas season with one last festive day. It is also the day of La Befana, the old woman on a broomstick who fills children’s stockings. This guide covers the tradition, the main events and what is open on the day.

Last updated: September 26, 2026

Epiphany in Italy at a glance

Table: the main Epiphany in Italy events and their usual timing. Check each organizer before you travel, because the 2027 programs were not out in September 2026.

What Epiphany means in Italy: the legend of La Befana

For the Church, Epiphany marks the visit of the Three Kings, or Magi, to the infant Jesus. In Italian homes, however, the day belongs to La Befana. Her name, in fact, comes from Epifania, the Italian word for Epiphany.

According to the legend, the Magi stopped at her house and asked her to join them. She refused, then changed her mind, but she never found them. Ever since, she flies from house to house on the night of January 5. She leaves gifts for every child, just in case.

• The stocking: children hang a sock, the calza della Befana, and find it full of sweets in the morning.
• The coal: naughty children get carbone, which today is usually black sugar candy.
• The look: she is an old, kindly witch with a shawl, patched clothes and a broom. Also, she is ugly by tradition, and Italians say so with affection.
• The saying: “L’Epifania tutte le feste porta via,” or “Epiphany takes all the holidays away.”

In fact, for many families the stocking is as important as Christmas presents. As a result, supermarkets sell ready-made stockings from December, and sweet shops fill their windows with candy coal.

Epiphany in Italy as a public holiday

January 6 is one of Italy’s national public holidays. The national law on public holidays lists the day of Epiphany among them (checked September 2026). Parliament dropped it in 1977, then a 1985 decree brought it back. As a result, during Epiphany in Italy schools, offices and banks close, and many shops keep Sunday hours.

In 2027, January 6 falls on a Wednesday. New Year’s Day is a Friday, so the holiday week has a normal Monday and Tuesday in the middle. Some Italians take those two days off. For travelers, that means busy trains on January 6 and 7 as families head home. Our guide to trains in Italy explains how to book seats in advance.

Where to see Befana celebrations in Rome

Rome has a rich program for Epiphany in Italy, and most of it is free. Before you go, read our Christmas in Rome guide for the rest of the season.

The Viva la Befana procession

On the morning of January 6, a historical procession follows the Three Kings down Via della Conciliazione toward St. Peter’s Square. In 2026, the 39th edition started around 10 a.m. from Piazza Pia, according to the official Viva la Befana site (checked September 2026). It also features costumed groups, bands, horses and flag throwers from Italian regions. Then, after the Pope’s noon Angelus, the Magi bring him symbolic gifts. The 2027 program had not been announced when we checked.

Piazza Navona

Piazza Navona traditionally hosts Rome’s Christmas and Befana fair, with stalls, toys, sweets and a carousel, until January 6. However, stall numbers and exact dates change every year, so check locally in December. In addition, the square is a pleasant evening stroll, a classic passeggiata, or relaxed walk, after dinner.

Venice and the Regata delle Befane

Venice gives Epiphany in Italy a maritime twist that makes locals smile. For example, rowers dressed as Befanas, with shawls and fake noses, race traditional boats on the Grand Canal. The City of Venice page for the 2026 race lists the 45th edition on January 6 (checked September 2026). The Reale Società Canottieri Bucintoro, a historic rowing club, organizes it.

In 2026, the start was at 11 a.m. near the Bank of Italy building, with the finish under the Rialto Bridge. The best free spots are the Rialto Bridge and the banks nearby, so arrive early. Afterward, walk to a bar for cicchetti, Venetian small bites. Our Christmas in Venice guide covers the rest of the season. Then the Venice Carnival guide covers the next big event.

Urbania, the home of La Befana

Urbania, a small town in the Marche near Pesaro, calls itself the official home of La Befana. Her “house” is also open to visitors, and the town hosts the Festa Nazionale della Befana every January. The festival’s official site announced the 29th edition for January 4–6, 2026 (checked September 2026).

For the 2024 edition, the Province of Pesaro and Urbino described a Befana who flies down from the 36-meter bell tower (checked September 2026). There was also a parade of a stocking over 50 meters long. In addition, there are markets, street shows and local food. However, Urbania is not easy to reach by train, so plan on a car or an organized trip.

What is open and closed on Epiphany in Italy

For opening hours, Epiphany in Italy works much like a Sunday. For example, big sights often stay open, while smaller museums and offices close. Above all, check each site, because holiday hours change.

• Vatican Museums: closed. The official timetable lists January 1 and 6 among closing days (checked September 2026). See our guide to Vatican Museums tickets and book another day.
• Colosseum: open. The Colosseum archaeological park closes only on December 25 and January 1 (checked September 2026).
• Shops: many stores open in city centers, especially with the winter sales on. Smaller shops may close.
• Restaurants: most also open for lunch, which is a big family meal. Book ahead.
• Public transport: runs on a holiday timetable, so expect fewer buses.

January 6 is not a free museum day. However, the first Sunday of January usually is at state museums, and in 2027 that is January 3. Our guide to free museum days in Italy explains how booking works.

Winter sales after the holidays

Epiphany in Italy also falls in the middle of the winter sales, the saldi invernali. There is no national date, because each region sets its own. For example, the Lombardy rules start the sales on the first working day before Epiphany each year (checked September 2026). In Tuscany, the 2026 sales began on January 3, according to the regional notice (checked September 2026). The 2027 dates had not been published in September 2026, so check your region in December.

Travel tips for the end of the holidays

• Book trains early. After Epiphany, Italy’s trains fill up, and January 6 and 7 are among the busiest travel days of the season.
• Plan the Vatican around the closure. Visit on January 4 or 5 instead, or after January 7.
• See the markets before they close. Many Christmas markets end on January 6. For example, the Bolzano Christmas market runs until that day. Our Christmas markets in Italy guide has the others.
• Enjoy the quiet after. From January 7, crowds drop sharply in the art cities. Our Italy in January guide explains why.
• Pack for the cold. Early morning events on the water or in St. Peter’s area can be chilly.

In short, Epiphany in Italy lets you catch the last of the festive mood. Then you can enjoy quieter museums the following week. For the bigger picture, see Italy in winter and our events in Italy hub.

Rome and Venice experiences to book around Epiphany

The holiday week is busy, so booking a guided visit saves time. These tour pages on our site list prices and ratings read on Viator:

• Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel tour: book it for January 4 or 5, or after January 7. The museums close on Epiphany.
• St. Peter’s Basilica and dome tour: a good pairing with the procession on Via della Conciliazione.
• Colosseum tour with the arena floor: an option that works on January 6 itself.
• Trastevere food tour in Rome: an evening plan for the holiday week.
• Venice cicchetti food and wine tour: a natural follow-up to the regatta at Rialto.
• hidden Venice walking tour: quieter corners of the city after the holidays.

For everything else happening that month, see events in Italy in January 2027.

Epiphany in Italy: frequently asked questions

When is Epiphany in Italy?

Epiphany in Italy is always on January 6. In 2027 it falls on a Wednesday. La Befana brings stockings on the night of January 5.

Is Epiphany a public holiday in Italy?

Yes. Epiphany in Italy is a national public holiday on January 6, so schools and offices close and many shops keep Sunday hours.

Who is La Befana?

She is a kindly old witch who flies on a broomstick on the night of January 5. She leaves sweets for good children and candy coal for naughty ones.

Are the Vatican Museums open on January 6?

No. The Vatican Museums close on January 6. The Colosseum, by contrast, stays open that day.

Where can I see Epiphany celebrations in Italy?

For Epiphany in Italy, popular choices include the Rome procession, the Venice regatta and the Urbania festival. Check the 2027 dates with each organizer.