https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from Italy in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed Italy's known for having a generous number of public holidays, but Good Friday isn't among them. Here's why. https://www.thelocal.it/20210401/why-is-good-friday-not-a-holiday-in-italy Thu, 01 Apr 2021 15:56:58 +0200 why-is-good-friday-not-a-holiday-in-italy Italy has called for nativity scenes to be recognised on Unesco's list of 'intangible cultural heritage' – so what else is already on there? https://www.thelocal.it/20260402/pizza-making-to-sicilian-puppets-italys-world-recognised-cultural-traditions Thu, 02 Apr 2026 14:21:56 +0200 pizza-making-to-sicilian-puppets-italys-world-recognised-cultural-traditions Food is central to any Italian celebration, and Easter is no exception. These are some of the classic Italian dishes to try at this time of year, from traditional lamb and artichokes to an unusual pig's blood dessert. https://www.thelocal.it/20260323/an-italian-easter-menu-dishes-to-try-each-day-of-holy-week Mon, 23 Mar 2026 11:05:37 +0100 an-italian-easter-menu-dishes-to-try-each-day-of-holy-week Though it may not be a public holiday, Italy's National Day of Unity is one of the most patriotic days of the year in the country. Here's what it all means. https://www.thelocal.it/20200317/everything-to-know-about-march-17th-italys-unity-unification-risorgimento-day Tue, 17 Mar 2020 13:36:05 +0100 everything-to-know-about-march-17th-italys-unity-unification-risorgimento-day International Women's Day is this Sunday, March 8th – here are the ways the occasion is being commemorated in Italy, from a general strike to free museum visits. https://www.thelocal.it/20260302/heres-how-italy-is-marking-international-womens-day-this-year Mon, 02 Mar 2026 16:32:25 +0100 heres-how-italy-is-marking-international-womens-day-this-year Italy's five-day Sanremo Music Festival brings the nation together - and leaves many non-Italians baffled. So what exactly is going on? https://www.thelocal.it/20240208/five-italian-words-that-help-explain-the-sanremo-song-contest Thu, 08 Feb 2024 17:02:41 +0100 five-italian-words-that-help-explain-the-sanremo-song-contest Unlucky for some, but not for Italians. Here's why this ominous date isn't a cause for concern here in Italy – but Friday the 17th is. https://www.thelocal.it/20220513/why-friday-13th-isnt-an-unlucky-date-in-italy Fri, 13 May 2022 11:54:35 +0200 why-friday-13th-isnt-an-unlucky-date-in-italy San Valentino – and amore – is celebrated across Italy on February 14th with religious and cultural events. https://www.thelocal.it/20260211/valentines-day-in-italy-traditions-and-modern-celebrations-in-2026 Wed, 11 Feb 2026 13:56:28 +0100 valentines-day-in-italy-traditions-and-modern-celebrations-in-2026 February 14th is famous the world over as Valentine’s Day – or as it’s known in Italian, 'la festa di San Valentino'. But where did the idea of a day dedicated to lovers come from? And was Saint Valentine himself really Italian? https://www.thelocal.it/20220214/where-does-valentines-day-come-from Mon, 14 Feb 2022 10:09:18 +0100 where-does-valentines-day-come-from Celebrating San Silvestro in Italy? There are a few customs to follow to make sure you start 2026 with as much good fortune as possible. https://www.thelocal.it/20231230/five-italian-new-year-traditions-to-bring-luck-for-2024 Sat, 30 Dec 2023 15:47:36 +0100 five-italian-new-year-traditions-to-bring-luck-for-2024 Italy does Christmas very well, but there are a few traditions that may seem confusing or downright bizarre to the uninitiated. https://www.thelocal.it/20251215/ten-essentially-italian-christmas-traditions-you-should-know-about Mon, 15 Dec 2025 17:31:25 +0100 ten-essentially-italian-christmas-traditions-you-should-know-about Easter is one of the most important yearly celebrations in Italy, where it’s marked by religious processions, centuries-old traditions and, of course, plenty of food. Here’s a quick rundown of what to expect from 'Pasqua’ in the country. https://www.thelocal.it/20250409/the-essential-guide-to-easter-in-italy-in-2025 Wed, 09 Apr 2025 18:13:00 +0200 the-essential-guide-to-easter-in-italy-in-2025 Italy is known the world over for its dazzling carnival celebrations – but its traditional festival sweets are just as exciting. https://www.thelocal.it/20240201/chiacchiere-castagnole-graffe-six-of-italys-most-popular-carnival-sweets Thu, 01 Feb 2024 17:22:09 +0100 chiacchiere-castagnole-graffe-six-of-italys-most-popular-carnival-sweets Every year the town of Ivrea, in Italy’s Piedmont region, holds one of the most peculiar carnival festivals in the country as thousands of people take part in a ferocious three-day ‘orange battle’ – but why do they do this? https://www.thelocal.it/20240201/why-does-the-italian-town-of-ivrea-hold-a-battle-of-the-oranges Thu, 01 Feb 2024 13:17:32 +0100 why-does-the-italian-town-of-ivrea-hold-a-battle-of-the-oranges With just days to go until the 2025 Sanremo Music Festival kicks off on Tuesday, February 11th, here's why Italy's most famous song competition remains significant more than 70 years after it began. https://www.thelocal.it/20220201/why-is-the-sanremo-music-festival-so-important-to-italians Tue, 01 Feb 2022 18:02:03 +0100 why-is-the-sanremo-music-festival-so-important-to-italians As far as Italians are concerned, Friday the 13th is nothing to worry about. Friday the 17th however is a day to be wary of in Italy. https://www.thelocal.it/20240122/did-you-know-italians-fear-a-very-different-day-to-friday-13th Mon, 22 Jan 2024 16:39:56 +0100 did-you-know-italians-fear-a-very-different-day-to-friday-13th You may have heard that in Italy - or at least the Milan area - it’s traditional to keep a slice of panettone from Christmas Day to eat several weeks later. Do people really do this, and why? https://www.thelocal.it/20231228/why-italians-save-a-piece-of-christmas-panettone-for-february Thu, 28 Dec 2023 17:29:14 +0100 why-italians-save-a-piece-of-christmas-panettone-for-february Say 'Santa Lucia' and many people would think of Scandinavians carrying candles – but Saint Lucy’s feast day on December 13th is also a big event in parts of her Italian homeland. https://www.thelocal.it/20171213/italy-santa-lucia-traditions Wed, 13 Dec 2017 11:12:42 +0100 italy-santa-lucia-traditions You may know that December 8th is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, and that it's a public holiday in Italy. But what exactly are we celebrating? https://www.thelocal.it/20221207/what-is-the-feast-of-the-immaculate-conception Wed, 07 Dec 2022 15:32:24 +0100 what-is-the-feast-of-the-immaculate-conception Italy's hotly-anticipated Palio di Siena horse race is back - but what exactly is it and where can you watch it? https://www.thelocal.it/20240816/what-is-italys-palio-di-siena-and-where-can-you-watch-it Fri, 16 Aug 2024 14:10:00 +0200 what-is-italys-palio-di-siena-and-where-can-you-watch-it