National Festival of the Befana
Urbania, the city of the Befana, celebrates Epiphany with three days of magic
About Festival of the Befana
The Italian capital of the Befana
If there is a place in Italy where the Befana is truly at home, that place is Urbania, the ancient Casteldurante nestled in the hills of Montefeltro, in the province of Pesaro and Urbino, in the Marche region. Here, since 1997, the National Festival of the Befana has transformed a small Renaissance village into the recognized capital of the most beloved grandmother by Italian children, so much so that they built her a real House of the Befana, open all year round.
Three days of magic for the whole family
Around Epiphany, the historic center of Urbania fills with shows, itinerant music, jugglers, illusionists, and creative workshops. The heart of the festival is Piazza San Cristoforo, where the Mayor symbolically hands over the keys of the city to the Befana, but the entire village becomes an open-air stage with over 100 events spread across more than 10 locations.
The descent from the Tower and the record-breaking Stocking
The most anticipated moment is the Befana's descent from the Bell Tower: the old woman flies suspended above the crowd's heads, dropping sweets and candies, accompanied by a captivating video mapping projected onto the facades of the town center. Equally famous is the parade of the record-breaking Befana Stocking, over 70 meters long, one of the symbolic images of the event.
Workshops, sweets, and tradition
The little ones can participate in numerous workshops: decorating Befana cookies, the Elves' Workshop, the Fairytale Village, and the Befana's Post Office, where they can mail their letters. There are also local gastronomic specialties, from the famous crostolo to Befana fritters, as well as local truffle products.
A festival of national importance
Organized by the Pro Loco Casteldurante with the support of the Municipality of Urbania and the Marche Region, the National Festival of the Befana has become over the years an event of national and European significance, attracting over 15,000 visitors. It is also a virtuous example of de-seasonalizing tourism and promoting the villages of the Marche region, making Urbania an unmissable destination for those who want to experience Epiphany in the most authentic and fairytale way.
Festival of the Befana — edition 2026
The 2026 edition, the 29th in its history, confirmed Urbania as the Italian capital of the Befana, with over 100 events spread across more than 10 locations in the historic center. Three quintals of candy were distributed to children, and the famous record-breaking Befana Stocking exceeded 70 meters. Among the most applauded moments were the Befana's descent from the Bell Tower accompanied by video mapping and, on Epiphany day, the Winx Club show. Organized by Pro Loco Casteldurante with the Municipality of Urbania and the Marche Region.
Programme Festival of the Befana 2026
Sunday, January 4th
- 10:00 AM — Inauguration of the 29th Festival in Piazza San Cristoforo with the handover of the City Key to the Befana by the Mayor
- 11:00 AM — Dance and comic juggling shows
- 11:30 AM — Puppets and entertainment with the Befane
- 2:30 PM - 6:00 PM — Itinerant music in the historic center
- 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM — Archery, dance, juggling
- 4:00 PM — The Befana's Descent from the Bell Tower with candy drop and video mapping
- 5:30 PM — Parade of the record-breaking Befana Stocking
- 9:00 PM — "Sleeping Beauty in the Woods" at the Bramante Theater (ticketed)
Monday, January 5th
- 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM — Workshops: Befana cookies, creativity, board games
- 11:00 AM — Illusions, magic, and giant soap bubbles
- 11:30 AM — Puppets
- 3:00 PM — Befana Palio
- 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM — Itinerant music
- 4:00 PM — Befana's descent from the Tower
- 5:00 PM — Parade of the record-breaking Stocking
- 8:00 PM — The Befana delivers gifts to children at the Pro Loco
Tuesday, January 6th (Epiphany)
- 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM — Gymnastics, parkour, and magic shows
- 10:30 AM — "King Melchior and the Magic Elephant" (itinerant)
- 1:00 PM — Philatelic cancellation at the Befana Post Office
- 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM — Itinerant music and magic shows
- 4:00 PM — Descent from the Tower with video mapping
- 5:00 PM — "Winx Club - The Magic is Back Show" with Meet & Greet
- 6:00 PM — Parade of the record-breaking Stocking
- 6:30 PM — Final Descent from the Tower
Ongoing Activities (daily)
- House of the Befana (10:00 AM - 12:00 PM / 3:00 PM - 6:30 PM)
- Fairytale Village with wooden games and "Befana Snowfall"
- Elves' Workshop, cookie decorating, creative ceramics
- Befana Post Office for letters
- Museums open: Palazzo Ducale and Civic Museums, Church of the Dead and Mummy Cemetery, Leonardi Museum
Highlights Festival of the Befana 2026
Prices Festival of the Befana 2026
Practical information — Festival of the Befana
How to get here
Urbania can be reached by car from the Fano-Grosseto highway (Urbania exit) or from the A14 highway, Fano exit. By train, the nearest stations are Fano or Pesaro, with onward bus connections. Dedicated parking areas are available for campers near the town center.
Tickets
Free admission for children up to 10 years old and for residents. Daily ticket for adults €8, group rate €5. The ticket includes a visit to the House of the Befana. Online pre-sale at liveticket.it/festadellabefana to avoid queues.
Contacts
Pro Loco Casteldurante, C.so Vittorio Emanuele II 27, Urbania - tel. +39 0722 317211. Tourist office: +39 0722 313140. Official website: festadellabefana.com.
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Where does it take place — Festival of the Befana
Centro storico di Urbania
Piazza San Cristoforo, 61049 Urbania