Viva la Befana - Historical Pageant

A pageant accompanying the Three Wise Men to St. Peter's

On January 6th, the day of the Epiphany, the center of Rome hosts one of the most anticipated and iconic events of the Roman winter: Viva la Befana, the historical and religious pageant that parades along Via della Conciliazione, in the Borgo district, reaching the edge of St. Peter's Square. Now in its 39th edition in 2026, the event is organized by the volunteer association Europae Fami.li.a. and involves approximately 1,300 participants from all over Italy.

The meaning of the festival

The pageant aims to reaffirm and pass on the values of the Epiphany through popular participation and the symbolic gesture of the Three Wise Men paying homage to the Pontiff. At the end of the Angelus, around 12:15 PM, the Magi symbolically bring their gifts to the Pope, in a deeply moving moment that blends tradition, faith, and spectacle. The Befana, the day's protagonist, is reinterpreted here as a kind, smiling grandmother, far removed from the image of the old witch.

What to see along the route

The parade is a true festival of volunteerism and folklore, featuring a rich lineup of groups and costumed figures:

• Historical re-enactment groups in period costumes;
• Horses, riders, and equestrian shows;
• Flag-wavers and musicians;
• Marching bands, military fanfares, and majorettes;
• Living nativity scenes and floats representing the history, culture, and traditions of different Italian regions.

A different guest region every year

One of the most beloved features of the event is that the Three Wise Men arrive each year from a different Italian region, which becomes the guest of honor and brings its own folk groups and traditions to Rome. In 2026, the featured region is Sicily, following 2025, when the role was held by Umbria with the city of Amelia.

More than just a parade

The celebrations do not end in the morning: on the afternoon of January 6th, with the patronage of Municipality I, Piazza Mazzini hosts entertainment, music, and games starting at 4:00 PM, with many characters dedicated to families and children.

Rome, Lazio, and the Epiphany

Set in the Municipality of Rome, in the Lazio region, just a few steps from St. Peter's Basilica, "Viva la Befana" has become a symbolic appointment for the Epiphany in the Capital. Participation is free and open to all, and every year it draws thousands of Romans and tourists who crowd Via della Conciliazione to witness one of the most evocative pageants in Italy.