Epiphany, the annual festival to commemorate the appearance of Jesus, is also Children’s Day in Italy. It is the first festival of the Christian New Year. The Orthodox Church calls it Baptism Day, and the Protestant Church calls it Epiphany Day. In Italy, this day is also the favorite witch festival (La Befana) for children. According to Italian legend, on this day, the witch Befana riding a broom entered the house through the smoke and put gifts in the boots for the children. Naughty children would receive candies that looked like black charcoal.
This day is a public holiday in Italy. People do not need to work or go to school, and celebrations will be held in various regions. People dressed as witches will distribute candies to children on the road. When children get up, they will find candies and gifts for themselves in the stockings hanging on the fireplace. There will be a sailing race on the Grand Canal in Venice, and people will watch the race in festive costumes. In the Milan area, motorcyclists gather in Milan to hold a charity parade, starting from the Duomo Cathedral, around the city of Milan, and distributing food and gifts to charity centers and nursing homes. In Florence, people will dress in Renaissance costumes and walk through the city from Palazzo Pitti to celebrate the encounter between the Christ Child and the Three Magi. There will be performances near the Uffizi Gallery.
Traditional charcoal candies, witch-themed costumes, decorations, souvenirs such as brooms and witch boots, as well as fireworks, children’s toys, children’s related gifts, and traditional Italian Renaissance costumes and accessories will be very popular.