Burn the Befana - Epiphany 2026
Even in 2026, as per tradition, every municipality organized the arrival of the Befana on Epiphany day, with free stockings for all the children present, followed by the burning of the Befana.
We always go to a different town just to mix it up and not repeat the same route every year. This year, where we went, they first organized an indoor puppet show for the children, which wasn’t too bad, with some particularly fun moments.
Afterward, we all moved outdoors and waited for the arrival of the Befana, who this time arrived on a tractor and started throwing candy here and there.
Then the distribution of the stockings began, which contained candies, chocolates, and coal (obviously sugar coal, not real coal), while at the same time, hot wine, hot chocolate, and pieces of panettone were being handed out.
Once the stockings were all distributed, it was time for the most typical Epiphany tradition: burning the Befana!
It’s a very old tradition, once performed by farmers to predict the harvest, by watching the direction of the sparks... Now, it has lost this meaning and is more of a way to say goodbye to the Christmas season and the holidays.
As you can see, the staff begins to set the fire, and the Befana is high up.
As time passes, the fire grows stronger.
Until the Befana herself is burned. The background with the red-pink sunset was a nice touch.
The final verdict was gloomy, “sparks to the east, abundant harvest; sparks to the west, not much at all”… And that day, the sparks went to the west!
Interesting tradition and new to me as I've not seen it before, or at least can't associate the name with what I've seen so far in TV. Must be fun :)
It's typical of north east Italy, i think no one else does that 😄
Nice one. Apparently, Befana is a big celebration there, this kindly witch comes down the chimney and brings gifts to children like Santa Claus. She loves sweets, toys and fruits for the good children and coal for the nasty ones, Lol. :)
And burning is meaningful, as it marks the end of the year, then her ashes are spread on the field for fertility, which is necessary for the new beginning, like she must be finished for the spring to begin. Amazing Italian folklore. :)
It is important indeed! Just a little behind Santa because kids prefer presents but she's loved too, for sweets and chocolates... The coal is funny 😂 back in the days when people were poor, instead of chocolate and candies you would find fruits like oranges or nuts