The Befana is Coming

The Befana arrives in Vicalvi

Every year, in the first days of January, the small village of Vicalvi—a few hundred inhabitants perched on a hill in the Comino Valley, in the province of Frosinone—celebrates the arrival of the Befana with an afternoon of festivities designed for children but capable of involving the whole town. The event takes place in Piazza Giovanni Paolo II, the town hall square, at the foot of the castle overlooking the valley: Italy's most beloved old lady descends among the little ones to distribute stockings, sweets, and small surprises, amidst roasted chestnuts, snacks, and entertainment.

An Epiphany tradition

The Epiphany, celebrated in Italy on January 6th, has always been linked to the figure of the Befana, the old lady who flies from house to house at night to fill children's stockings with sweets or coal. Throughout the Lazio region, the occasion is an opportunity for town square parties, but in Vicalvi, it retains the authentic flavor of village festivals: no grand setups, but rather an entire community coming together to give the little ones an afternoon of magic, concluding the rich calendar of holiday festivities promoted by the Municipality.

What to expect

• The arrival of the Befana in the square, with the distribution of stockings and sweets for all children, provided by the Municipal Administration;
• Roasted chestnuts, snacks, and an aperitif for adults and children alike, in editions where the festival falls on the day of the Epiphany;
• Entertainment moments such as puppet theater and video animations;
• Small gifts provided by local businesses.

The village of Vicalvi

Vicalvi is one of the most charming villages in the Comino Valley, in southern Lazio: the town is dominated by the ruins of a Lombard-era castle, from which the view sweeps across the entire valley to the mountains of the National Park of Abruzzo, Lazio, and Molise. During the holidays, the church of San Francesco hosts a nativity scene exhibition, while Sora, Atina, and the Posta Fibreno Lake nature reserve are just a few kilometers away. The Befana festival thus becomes an opportunity to discover a lesser-known corner of the Ciociaria region in its winter guise.

A community event

The event is organized by the Municipality of Vicalvi with the collaboration of local associations: the Pro Loco Vicalvi, the "Diversamente Giovani" association, and the spontaneous Committee for San Francesco. It is precisely this network of volunteers that brings the holiday program to life every December and January: from the inauguration of the nativity scenes to Christmas carols through the streets of the town, from the arrival of Santa Claus to the grand finale with the Befana. A model of participatory celebration that perfectly captures the spirit of the small towns in the Lazio region.

When it takes place

The festival is held every year between January 4th and 6th, in the afternoon, in Piazza Giovanni Paolo II; in case of bad weather, the event is moved indoors to the Vicalvi Social Center (former kindergarten). Admission is always free.