CAPODANNO: New Year's in Italy

New Year's Traditions and Celebrations in Italy

Celebrating New Year’s Eve in Italy is the perfect backdrop to ring in 2025. Il Capodanno, New Year’s Eve, is celebrated across the boot with lively festivities outdoors, a large feast with family and friends at home following lucky charm traditions, an intimate dinner or dancing until sunrise. Firework displays and a midnight brindisi, a toast, in front of the Roman Forum, in the heart of Florence, along the canals of Venice or, even in a small town, will ensure that a New Year’s in Italy is one to remember. Here’s a list of our favorite New Year’s celebrations: 

Rome

In a large and vibrant city like Rome, New Year’s Eve celebrations are lively and multifaceted, transforming many iconic locations into hubs of festivity. For music lovers and those in tune with the latest Italian hits, the New Year's Eve concert is a must-see event. Originally held in the stunning archaeological area of the Colosseum and Roman Forum, it now takes place at the Circo Massimo, offering more space for the ever-growing crowds. The concert is free to attend, but be sure to dress warmly and arrive early to secure your spot.

The concert concludes with a fireworks display, part of a long-standing Roman tradition of New Year’s Eve fireworks launched from various iconic locations to create a dazzling skyline at midnight. For the best views, many head to scenic spots like the Pincio Terrace at Villa Borghese, Trinità dei Monti above the Spanish Steps, or the Zodiac lookout at Monte Mario, all offering sweeping views of the city. Arriving early is a smart move, as these popular locations fill up quickly.

Piazza del Popolo has traditionally been a focal point for New Year's Eve celebrations in Rome, featuring free concerts, dancing, and a midnight fireworks display. On New Year's Day, the piazza hosts a vibrant parade starting at 15:30, featuring performances by international marching bands and artists, creating a festive atmosphere for all ages. In addition to outdoor events, Rome offers various alternatives for celebrating New Year’s Eve.

The city’s theaters and iconic venues, such as the Auditorium Parco della Musica, host performances, classical concerts, and special shows. For a more intimate celebration, many restaurants and hotels offer traditional New Year’s Eve dinners with traditional festive dishes like lentils and cotechino, often accompanied by live entertainment. 

Venice

Celebrating in Venice is an elegant affair. Glamorous galas and huge feasts are held throughout the city in ancient venues. Dining is often pricey, but offers exceptional quality with exquisite food and wine

For those wanting fresh air, St. Mark’s Square is the answer. The piazza fills with music starting at 9 PM, fireworks and a large group kiss when the clock strikes midnight. Partakers fill their glasses with a Bellini, a Venetian cocktail made with Prosecco and peach juice, and toast to the New Year during the Bellini Brindisi.

La Fenice Theater has concerts to celebrate both New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. On New Year’s Eve the performance is followed by an elegant party and a midnight toast. The New Year's Day concert, every year, ends with the festive aria from the famous opera Traviata by Giuseppe Verdi: "Libiam ne' lieti calici," which means "Let us drink from this chalice of joy." The city, glowing with festive lights reflected in its canals, adds an incomparable touch of magic to the celebrations.

For those seeking a lively tradition to balance all the elegance, on January 1st sleepy or hung-over partiers can take part in an interesting custom to ‘freshen up’ – a cold swim in the icy waters of Venice’s Lido Beach! This refreshing plunge is a cherished tradition, often accompanied by beach festivities that include wine and traditional dishes like lentils and cotechino, to bring good luck for the year ahead.

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Bologna

Every year on December 31st, Bologna embraces the New Year with the unique and symbolic tradition of burning the Vecchione, a papier-mâché statue that represents the old year. Historically depicted as an old man (or an old woman in leap years), since 1993 the Vecchione has been creatively reimagined by artists with ties to Bologna. The celebration is a heartfelt ritual steeped in local culture: before midnight, the testament of the old year is read aloud, reflecting on its passage. As the clock strikes midnight, the statue is set on fire in Piazza Maggiore, symbolizing the end of the year gone by and welcoming the new. The crowd cheers and celebrates as the flames light up the night sky. It's an unforgettable event that captures the spirit of Bologna! The evening in Piazza Maggiore is made even more special with a live concert, providing music and entertainment to accompany the burning of the Vecchione.

For those looking for an indoor activity to celebrate, the Teatro Comunale hosts a special New Year’s concert, featuring performances by its renowned orchestra and guest musicians. It’s a wonderful opportunity to experience Bologna’s musical heritage in a distinctive setting and start the year in style.

Bologna also tempts visitors with its famous gastronomy, and New Year’s Eve is no exception. Restaurants, trattorias, and hotels across the city prepare lavish cenoni, featuring local delicacies like tortellini in brodo, ragù, and the traditional lentils with cotechino, symbolizing good luck and prosperity.

For a more relaxed atmosphere, the city’s iconic porticos offer the perfect backdrop for aperitivi, where you can sip a glass of Pignoletto or Lambrusco and soak in the festive ambiance.

Naples

Lovers of fireworks should head south to Naples. One of the largest displays lights up the city’s Bay, casting gold, red, and green reflections onto the water. The hot place to be is the enormous Piazza del Plebiscito, which hosts a lively outdoor party every year, featuring live music, performances by artists and DJs, and a festive atmosphere that lasts deep into the night. Expect to dance under the starry sky, enjoying the energy of the crowd as the clock ticks down to midnight. 

However, visitors should be warned: fireworks are not the only things up in the air! Naples is one of the few cities that still, although rarely, practices the tradition of throwing old objects out of the windows. "Out with the old, in with the new" is taken to a new level as chairs, blow dryers, and random items fall to litter the streets below! So, if you’re wandering around the historic streets of Naples, do keep an eye out! 

Traditions at home

Italy is an enchanting country, but perhaps one of the best times to really witness the people and traditions come alive is during the holidays. Although piazzas and indoor venues offer New Year’s celebrations, some Italians still choose to celebrate La Festa di San Silvestro, the feast day of Saint Sylvester on December 31, with a large traditional dinner with family or friends.

What’s special is the menu, which is always prepared with some dishes and ingredients that are believed to bring good luck. In many parts of Italy, an unmissable dish in this hearty feast is lentils, which according to the ancient roman traditions, will bring money in the coming year (this belief probably comes from the fact that lentils are shaped like coins). Cotechino, a large cooked salami, or zampone, stuffed pig’s leg, are also often eaten. Legend has it that eating pork brings good luck in the New Year because it is a symbol of abundance and progress.

In Italy, as in many Mediterranean countries, grapes are also on the New Year's Eve table. The traditions must be carefully followed: at midnight you must eat 12 grapes, one for each month of the year, and make a wish for each grape. Or, if you can stand the rhythm, you can eat a grape every second for the last 12 seconds of the old year. Instead of French Champagne, Italian Prosecco or Vino Spumante (sparkling wine) is opened at midnight.