How is Epiphany and La Befana celebrated in Rome and Venice on 6 January 2027?

Epiphany and La Befana: what they are

6 January is the Catholic feast of the Epiphany, marking the visit of the Magi to the infant Jesus. In Italy it carries a second, folk tradition: La Befana, an old woman on a broomstick who fills children's stockings on the night of the 5th, with sweets for the good and coal (now usually black sugar candy) for the naughty. The saying goes that Epiphany takes all the holidays away, and it does: the 6th is the last day off before school and work restart.

For visitors this means two things. Events are family-oriented and free. And 6 January is a public holiday, so expect closures.

Rome: Piazza Navona's Befana market

Piazza Navona fills with Christmas stalls through December: sweets, toys, nativity figures, carousels and, near the end, stockings and Befana dolls. In the 2024 to 2025 season the city opened the Navona programme on 7 December 2024 and ran it to Epiphany, with the Befana's descent on 6 January, helped by the Vigili del Fuoco (fire brigade) and preceded by a concert of the fire brigade band. Roma Capitale also ran an information point and children's workshops in the square.

The descent depends on weather and the city's ordinance for the day, and the start time has varied between years; check Roma Capitale or Turismo Roma the day before. The 2026 to 2027 dates for the market had not been announced when we checked.

Piazza Navona is crowded on 5 and 6 January. Keep bags closed and in front of you. The square has plenty of restaurants, but tables facing the fountains are priced for the view; our guide to coperto and tipping explains the cover charge.

Rome: Viva la Befana and Epiphany at St Peter's

Viva la Befana is a historical procession held every 6 January along Via della Conciliazione, the avenue leading to St Peter's Square. Turismo Roma listed the 39th edition for 6 January 2026: reenactment groups, horses, flag-throwers, bands, military fanfares and living nativity scenes from across Italy, with the Three Kings in costume. After the Pope's Angelus at noon, the Kings present symbolic gifts to the Pope. Participation is free and open to all.

On Epiphany the Pope also celebrates morning Mass in St Peter's Basilica. Free tickets for papal Masses are issued through the Prefecture of the Papal Household; for the Angelus in the square, no ticket is needed.

Etiquette: St Peter's has a dress code of covered shoulders and knees, enforced at the entrance. Expect security checks on the way into the square, and do not bring large bags. During the Angelus and Mass, keep phones down and voices low.

The Vatican Museums close on many Church holidays; a 2025 Rome holiday guide lists them closed on 6 January. Check the museum's published closure calendar on museivaticani.va for 2027 before you plan a day around them. If you are going back to Rome for Easter, our Easter 2027 Rome guide covers papal tickets in more detail.

Venice: the Regata delle Befane

The Regata delle Befane is a rowing race on the Grand Canal held each 6 January by the Reale Società Canottieri Bucintoro, the rowing club founded in 1882. The rowers are senior club members dressed as Befane, in skirts and headscarves, racing in mascarete, light Venetian boats. Sky TG24's preview of the 2026 edition gave an 11:00 start, and the finish is under the Rialto Bridge, where a giant stocking hangs. The race itself takes only minutes.

Watch from the Rialto Bridge or the fondamente on either side; arrive early, as the bridge fills. The race is weather-dependent: the 2024 edition was cancelled for bad weather.

Early January is a good time for Venice in general: the Christmas crowds thin after the 6th, and prices drop until Carnival. The Venice Carnival 2027 guide covers what comes next. For a base, see where to stay in Venice and our Venice guide.

6 January closures and planning

Wednesday 6 January 2027 is a national public holiday in Italy. On the day:

• Banks, offices and many small shops are closed. Larger shops and those in tourist centres often open.

• State museums usually open on holidays, though some sites keep shorter hours; check each one.

• Restaurants open, but lunch is a family occasion, so book.

• Public transport runs on a holiday timetable.

Italy's winter sales (saldi) are set region by region and in recent years have typically started in the first days of January; check the regional date before you shop.

January is cold and often damp in both cities. See best time to visit Italy, and for church dress and behaviour, what is considered rude in Italy. If you arrive earlier in the season, add Naples: our San Gregorio Armeno guide covers the nativity-scene street.

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