• La Befana flies around Rome on a broomstick on January 6th to give children gifts 

• The city hosts big celebrations in the first week of January, including a parade led by wise men on camels  

• According to the travel experts at First Choice, trips to Rome start at £169* per person during the celebrations  

25th November 2025: With December approaching, many British children are writing their lists and hoping for a visit from Santa.  

But the travel experts at First Choice have uncovered a different elderly figure responsible for gift giving in certain parts of Italy.  

The traditional folklore story brings with it big local celebrations and public festivities.  

La Befana is an elderly witch who flies into homes carrying a sack of coins, candy and small toys and trinkets to fill the stockings of well-behaved children, as well as coal, garlic and onion for naughty ones.  

Much like Saint Nic, La Befana pre-dates the Christian festive story with her own Pagan roots.  

Dating back to ancient Italian and Roman traditions, it was believed that during the 12 nights following the winter solstice, crone-like female spirits who would fly over the land blessing it with fertility.  

Then later, with the rise of Christianity in the area, these beliefs were reinterpreted to become linked with the Feast of Epiphany which commemorates the visit of the three wise men to the baby Jesus on January 6th.  

In this version of the story, the old crone decides not to join the wise men on their journey but later comes to regret it. She instead flies around the world each year on Epiphany Eve, leaving gifts for children in hopes of finding the Christ child.  

La Befana, which roughly translates as “The Epiphany Witch”, is a modern-day celebration of this authentically Italian tradition, which takes places around the country between January 3rd and January 6th.  

One of the biggest celebrations takes place in the capital, Rome.  

The Piazza Navona Christmas & Befana Market takes over with all the traditional Christmas market wonder mixed with La Befana’s own unique twist.  

Running from December 8th (to mark the immaculate conception) to January 6th (to mark Epiphany), revellers can shop amongst the 40-50 stalls for everything from toys and games to handmade gifts, to tiny La Befana figurines.  

But the big celebrations take place on closing day.  

On January 6th La Befana herself (aka a fireman dressed in an old crone’s costume) flies on broomstick from the bell tower of Sant’Agnese in Agone to the market square to hand out sweets to children, while the fire brigade band plays live music.  

Meanwhile over in the Via della Conciliazione, the La Befana parade kicks off at 10:00am, with colourful floats, Roman chariots, historical re-enactments and folk music, all led by 3 wise men on camels, to signify the 3 wise men in the La Befana story.  

The parade lasts about 2 hours and ends at St. Peter’s Square for Pope’s Angelus prayer. 

Even the local zoo gets involved, with La Befana themed activities such as broom relay races, obstacle courses, and preparing stockings for the animals.  

The usual issue with festive trips is often the price tag, with standard Christmas destinations adding a premium price tag in December.  

However, with La Befana celebrations taking place after the usual Christmas and New Year price spikes, trips to Rome in early January are not only unique but very cost effective.  

First Choice offer 3 nights in Rome, over the key celebration dates from as little as £169pp*.  

“Christmas is a magical time to go away, with many parts of Europe putting on an incredible festive display, but for some travellers the big crowds and big price tags are just too much”, commented Kevin Nelson, Managing Director for First Choice.  

“We’re seeing more and more customers opt for unique, cost effective experiences and finding local celebrations that allow you to travel outside that peak time is a great way to hack the system. You’re still getting that amazing experience but for a much lower cost.” 

So for those looking for a unique approach to festive fun, maybe a Roman January trip could be top of the Christmas list.