La Befana is Italy’s beloved Christmas witch, a kind elderly woman who flies on her broomstick every January 6th (Epiphany) to deliver gifts to Italian children. Unlike Santa Claus, this enchanting figure brings both sweets and coal as she searches for Baby Jesus.
For generations of Italian children, La Befana has been more exciting than the man in the red suit!
Today, La Befana remains one of Italy’s most important holiday traditions, especially in regions like Tuscany, where villages celebrate with torchlight processions and community gatherings. This magical grandmother figure captures the hearts of children throughout Italy, blending ancient folklore with Christian celebration.
Whether you’re curious about Italian traditions, planning to visit Italy during Epiphany, or simply love enchanting folklore, here’s everything you need to know about La Befana – Italy’s most beloved Christmas witch.
In this article
What is la Befana?
La Befana (pronounced lah beh-FAH-nah) is Italy’s Christmas witch, a beloved folklore character who delivers gifts to children on Epiphany, January 6th. Unlike the jolly Santa Claus, La Befana appears as an elderly woman dressed in tattered clothing, riding a broomstick through the night sky and carrying a large bag filled with gifts and coal.
But don’t let her witch-like appearance fool you; she’s not scary at all!
Italian children eagerly await her arrival, with the same excitement American children feel about Santa. The name “Befana” likely derives from “Epifania” (Epiphany in Italian), the Christian feast day celebrating when the Three Wise Men visited Baby Jesus.
La Befana is uniquely Italian; while other countries focus on Santa Claus, Italy celebrates this enchanting witch who has captured hearts for centuries.
When is la Befana celebrated?
January 6th - Epiphany Day
La Befana is celebrated as part of Epiphany on January 6th, the official end of the Christmas season in Italy. This date is a national holiday in Italy (La Befana or Epifania), meaning schools and many businesses close so families can celebrate together.
Epiphany, where the name Befana potentially derives from, celebrates a pivotal moment in Christianity: when the Three Wise Men (called Re Magi in Italian) arrived in Bethlehem to meet the newborn Jesus Christ, bringing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. This connection between the Wise Men’s journey and La Befana’s eternal search forms the heart of the legend.
The Eve of Epiphany (January 5th)
The magic begins on the evening of January 5th, the Eve of Epiphany. This is when Italian children prepare for La Befana’s visit, much like Christmas Eve in other traditions. Children hang their stockings (calze) by the fireplace or at the foot of their beds, hoping to wake up to treats rather than coal.
In small Tuscan villages, the tradition was even more personal and magical. Rather than simply filling stockings left by the fireplace, La Befana would visit children’s homes directly on the evening of January 5th. Village women dressed as La Befana would go door-to-door, carrying large sacks filled with hand-prepared calze (stockings).
While this intimate tradition has largely faded in larger cities, some small Tuscan villages still maintain this beautiful custom, making it one of the most authentic Befana experiences you can witness. If you’re fortunate enough to be in a small Maremma or Tuscan village on January 5th evening, you might just see La Befana walking the cobblestone streets, knocking on doors, and personally greeting the children she’s been watching all year.
Many Italian villages and cities still host Befana celebrations on January 5th evening, with costumed figures, fireworks, and community gatherings. The atmosphere is festive and magical, with children staying up late hoping to catch a glimpse of the flying witch – or in traditional villages, to receive their calza directly from her weathered hands.
In Italy, this means the Christmas season lasts longer than in many countries, from early December through January 6th, giving families extended time to celebrate, gather, and create memories.
The legend of La Befana
The legend of La Befana weaves together Pagan history, Christian tradition, and Italian folklore into one of Europe’s most enchanting holiday stories. Multiple versions exist, but the most beloved tale connects her directly to the Three Wise Men.
The story of the Three Wise Men
According to the most popular legend, the Three Wise Men (Re Magi) were traveling to Bethlehem following the star that would lead them to Baby Jesus. During their long journey through the Italian countryside, they stopped at the humble home of an elderly woman to ask for directions and a place to rest for the night.
The kind woman, who would become La Befana, welcomed them into her home, offering food, warmth, and shelter. As they rested, the Wise Men told her about their extraordinary journey to visit the newborn King, a child who would change the world. They described the brilliant star guiding them and the precious gifts they carried.
Grateful for her hospitality, the Wise Men invited her to join them on their sacred journey. La Befana declined, explaining that she had too many household chores – sweeping to do, rooms to clean, bread to bake. She simply couldn’t leave her duties behind, even for such a momentous occasion.
The Wise Men departed at dawn, and La Befana returned to her chores. But as the day wore on, she began to regret her decision. What had she been thinking? Missing the chance to meet the Christ child because of housework?
Changing her mind, La Befana quickly gathered gifts toys she’d made, sweets she’d baked. She grabbed her broom, and rushed out to find the Wise Men. She searched the skies, flying from village to village, house to house, asking everyone she met if they’d seen the Wise Men or knew where Baby Jesus could be found.
But poor Befana never found them. The Wise Men had traveled too far, and she had waited too long. To this day, La Befana continues her search every year on the eve of Epiphany (January 5th), flying through the night sky on her broomstick.
She stops at every home with children, peering in windows and checking sleeping faces, wondering if this child could be the Baby Jesus she’s been seeking for centuries. At each house, she leaves small gifts for good children, a gesture of hope and generosity
La Befana's appearance & Symbols
How la Befana looks
La Befana appears as an elderly woman, a kindly nonna (grandmother), with a distinctive witch-like appearance that Italian children instantly recognize:
- Tattered, patched clothing – worn skirt and shawl, broken shoes from endless travel
- Crooked nose and headscarf – classic witch features, but with a gentle, grandmotherly expression
- Covered in soot – from climbing down chimneys each Epiphany night
Despite her scary appearance, La Befana is always portrayed with warmth and kindness – she may look like a witch, but she has the heart of a grandmother bringing gifts to children.
La Befana's broomstick and donkey
La Befana’s broomstick (scopa in Italian) is her magical vehicle, allowing her to fly from house to house throughout Italy.
In Tuscany and Maremma, La Befana doesn’t travel alone, she has a trusty donkey (asino) companion!
This regional variation is particularly strong in Maremma villages, where La Befana is depicted riding her donkey through cobblestone streets. Children in these regions traditionally leave biscuits and coffee (or wine) for La Befana, plus hay and water for her hardworking donkey.
This local touch makes the tradition even more authentic and connected to rural Italian life.
Another interesting take on the Befana begins in pagan mythology.
During the Middle Ages there were alleged sightings of women flying over fields to propagate the land during the 12 nights after the winter solstice. Once adopted by Christianity, the witchy similarities were quickly discarded as healers and potential witches were feared. Eventually, Catholicism reignited the story of the Befana and through time has evolved into the beloved figure we know today.
La Befana vs. Santa Claus: what's the difference?
Many people ask: “Is La Befana just the Italian version of Santa Claus?”
Not quite! While both bring gifts to children, they’re distinctly different characters with separate traditions.
Here are some key differences:
Can you have both?
In modern Italy, many families celebrate both traditions! Children receive presents from Santa on Christmas Day (December 25th) and then get stockings filled by La Befana on Epiphany (January 6th).
This means Italian children enjoy an extended holiday season with two gift-giving occasions, lucky them!
The beauty of La Befana is that she’s uniquely Italian and when you celebrate her, you’re participating in centuries of genuine Italian tradition, not an imported custom.
How is La Befana celebrated in Italy today?
On the evening of January 5th, Italian families prepare for La Befana’s visit.
Children hang stockings (calze), and leave out wine or coffee and traditional Tuscan biscuits like Cavallucci for her, plus hay for her donkey in regions like Maremma. They wake on January 6th to stockings filled with candy, small toys, or sweet coal (zucchero carbone).
Special Epiphany foods include Befanini (La Befana-shaped cookies), Cavallucci (spiced Tuscan biscuits) and carbone dolce (sweet coal candy). While meals are simpler than the elaborate Italian Christmas Day feast, families still gather to celebrate together.
Throughout Maremma’s hilltop villages, La Befana celebrations are magical community events. Villagers dress as La Befana and parade through cobblestone streets with torches, distributing free treats to children. Traditional songs, bonfires, and street performers create authentic celebrations, typically free and starting around 5-6 PM on January 5th.
Where to experience La Befana in Tuscany
How small villages celebrate La Befana
Throughout Maremma’s hilltop villages, La Befana celebrations are magical community events. Villagers dress as La Befana and parade through cobblestone streets with torches, distributing free treats to children. Traditional songs, bonfires, and street performers create authentic celebrations, typically free and starting around 5-6 PM on January 5th.
What to expect:
Community atmosphere, everyone knows everyone
Multiple villagers dressed as La Befana (not only women)
Children running freely, collecting treats
Traditional songs in local dialect
Possibility of bonfires or torchlight processions
La Befana’s donkey making appearances
Zero commercialization, pure tradition
La Befana in larger Tuscan cities
Florence celebrates Epiphany with two spectacular traditions on January 6th, 2026.
At 11:30 AM in Piazza della Repubblica, the “Calata della Befana” features an acrobatic descent from the top of the iconic Arcone arch – typically performed by specialized acrobatic professionals or firefighters (vigili del fuoco). The Befana flies down with her broomstick, thrilling crowds before distributing candies to children with her helpers in this beloved spectacle.
Later at 2:00 PM, the traditional “Cavalcata dei Magi” (Procession of the Three Wise Men) – dating back to 1417 – departs from Palazzo Pitti. Over 500 participants in Renaissance costumes parade through the historic center, led by the Three Kings on horseback wearing elaborate robes crafted from fabrics of Florence’s ancient silk workshops. Accompanied by drums and trumpets, the colorful procession winds through the streets to reach Piazza del Duomo, where the Magi present their traditional gifts to a living nativity scene.
Siena features similar acrobatic descents by specialized professionals dressed as La Befana in the beautiful medieval setting of Piazza del Campo, creating a spectacular tradition that combines authentic atmosphere with thrilling entertainment.
Practical tips for attending La Befana celebrations
Bring warm clothing for winter evenings in Tuscany – if you’re unsure what to pack, check our guide on how to dress for winter in Tuscany for practical tips on layering and staying comfortable. All celebrations are family-friendly, completely safe and appropriate, with free treats for kids at most events
Essentials:
- Comfortable walking shoes for cobblestone streets
- Cash as some village markets are cash-only
- Camera to capture the magical atmosphere!
Bringing La Befana's magic to home
For travelers, witnessing a Befana celebration offers an authentic glimpse into Italian life, these aren’t tourist shows but genuine community traditions that Italian families cherish.
For anyone fascinated by folklore and holiday customs, La Befana stands as one of Europe’s most captivating and enduring characters. So next January 6th, remember: while much of the world puts away Christmas decorations, Italy celebrates one more magical night when an elderly witch on a broomstick flies through the winter sky, still searching for Baby Jesus and bringing joy to children along the way.
Buona Befana! (Happy Epiphany!)