News English news in Italy

Italy marks Feast of the Immaculate Conception with 8 December holiday

By: Wanted in Rome

Date:

07 Dec, 2023

Holiday marks the start of the Christmas season in Italy.

Italy marks the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, a Catholic holy day, with a national public holiday on Friday 8 December.

More than 13 million Italians are set to travel over the long weekend, according to Federalberghi hotelier group, with many visiting the magical Christmas markets around the country.

One of the main events associated with the day in Italy is the pope's pilgrimage to the statue of the Madonna at Piazza Mignanelli in Rome.

Pope Francis is scheduled to make a public visit to the statue near Piazza di Spagna at 16.00, the Vatican confirmed, leading to traffic restrictions in the area.

The day, known as L'Immacolata, is also viewed as the official start of the Christmas shopping season in Italy.

Another Roman tradition on 8 December is the illumination of the capital's Christmas tree which this year moves from Piazza Venezia to Piazza del Popolo, due to Metro C works.

Rome's mayor will switch on the lights of the tree at the same time as the Christmas lights along the central Via del Corso.

The Italian capital offers free public transport on 8 December to facilitate Christmas shopping in the city centre.