December 8th -- When Italian Christmas Begins (1 MIN Read)

Italians don’t have the best of reputations when it comes to organization— but if being organized on a certain date is tradition, then you better believe the Italians will show up!

The 8th of December is the la Festa dell’Immacolata, the Immaculate Conception. This is the official day that the Christmas season begins, it’s a public holiday and Italians use it to put up their decorations, in particular the presepe, the nativity and also their tree.

There are some regional exceptions to this day, for instance the 7th of December is the feast of Sant’Ambrogio, the patron saint of Milan so the Milanesi decorate on the 7th. Then there are the Pugliesi who decorate on the 6th of December, Saint Nicolas’s day.

If you happen to visit Italy during this time, especially in the south you might even find yourself in the middle of a procession to celebrate the Festa dell’Immacolata.

If you haven’t put up your tree yet, now is the time and just think you were following the Italian tradition!