Though it’s not to say that Italians don’t celebrate New Years at all, the holiday is not perceived to be as important as the likes of Christmas, for instance. In fact, in Italy, New Years Day is not an official holiday, and businesses most remain open like normal.
Many Italians would agree that the New Years exists in the shadows of Christmas, however, that doesn’t mean they don’t partake in festivities and celebrations. In today’s blog, we’ll explore how Italians like to usher in the New Year! If that sounds interesting, keep reading below for more!
What Does A New Year’s Celebration Look Like?
It’s no secret that Italians love the element of hospitality provided by good food and drink. When it comes to a New Years’ celebration, this sentiment is no different, as many Italians love to indulge in dishes such as cotechino (sausage) for both at-home and restaurant meals. Staple dishes such as lasagne, risotto, or agnolotti are also likely to be eaten by Italian families for a New Years celebration.
Where there is food – there is also drink – and for an Italian New Years celebration, you can expect prosecco, birra, and spumante to quench both your thirst and taste buds. When the clock turns to midnight, you can expect there to be a plentiful offering of drinks to toast to the New Year!
Superstitions on New Years
Various superstitions make for an interesting quirk in the Italian celebration of New Years. According to superstition, eating cotechino (sausage) on New Years can manifest a year of wealth, as pork is often likened to wealth or property in Italian culture. In addition to this, eating lentils, or lenticchie, may bring about similar good luck for the upcoming year if you eat them on New Years.
Do Italians Stay At Home Or Go Out?
Like many other cultures, it is common for Italians to go out on New Years to restaurants, bars, and clubs – you can also find people out and about celebrating at any of Italy’s countless piazzas or public areas. It’s a common sight to see public places busy on New Years!
Celebrate New Years With Us at Strega!
Come see how we do New Years here at Strega! If you’re here in the city of Boston for a day, or perhaps for a weekend, we’d love to see you here at Strega. Offering a delicious selection of food and drink, we are located on historic Hanover Street right here in the North End! Call us at 617-523-8481 to make a reservation today!
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