Fireworks, Feasts and Red Underwear: An Italian New Year’s Eve to Remember

Italy’s New Year’s Eve—Capodanno, also known as La Festa di San Silvestro—is a vibrant celebration rooted in tradition, symbolism, and collective ritual. As midnight approaches on 31 December, cities across Italy erupt in fireworks, cheers, and communal toasts. The atmosphere is electric, blending ancient beliefs with modern spectacle in a uniquely Italian way.

The tradition of making noise at the turn of the year has deep historical roots. Fireworks, bells, and celebratory explosions are believed to drive away bad spirits and cleanse the year ahead. In the past, this symbolism was taken quite literally—especially in southern Italy—where throwing away old objects at midnight represented discarding misfortune and welcoming renewal. While modern safety laws have tempered the practice, the symbolism remains strong.

Yet Capodanno is not defined by fireworks alone. At its heart lies food, family, and ritual. Celebrations typically begin at home with il cenone, the New Year’s Eve feast. Families and friends gather for a long, elaborate dinner that may last well into the night. If you want a deeper look at how this tradition is celebrated locally, see our detailed guide to the Cenone in Bologna, one of the most authentic expressions of this ritual.

Certain dishes are considered essential. Lentils—resembling small coins—are eaten at midnight to symbolize prosperity, a custom that dates back to ancient Rome. They are traditionally served with cotechino or zampone, rich pork sausages that represent abundance and forward momentum. Together, they form a symbolic promise of wealth and good fortune for the coming year.

Regional variations add character to the feast. In northern Italy, comfort foods dominate: tortellini in broth in Emilia-Romagna, risotto in Veneto, and hearty meat dishes in Piedmont. Central Italy often favors seafood pasta and fried cod, while the south celebrates with lavish seafood spreads—eel, salt cod, octopus, and fried anchovies. No matter the region, dessert usually means panettone or pandoro, paired with spumante as midnight nears.

As midnight strikes, prosecco corks fly, embraces are exchanged, and fireworks illuminate city skylines. Public celebrations vary by city: Rome hosts large open-air concerts, Venice gathers couples in Piazza San Marco for a communal midnight kiss, and Bologna marks the transition by burning il Vecchione, a symbolic effigy representing the old year. In Naples, the celebration reaches its most intense form—an overwhelming cascade of fireworks launched from streets, balconies, and rooftops, turning the city into a thunderous spectacle of light and sound.

Alongside these public rituals, Italians observe a number of playful superstitions. Wearing red underwear on New Year’s Eve—preferably received as a gift—is thought to attract luck in love and money. The custom dates back to Roman times, when red symbolized power and fertility. Some traditions insist the garment must be discarded the next day, symbolically leaving misfortune behind.

Italian cinema and popular culture have often captured the chaos and comedy of Capodanno, from the misadventures of Fantozzi to more reflective portrayals in modern film. These stories reinforce a simple truth: New Year’s Eve in Italy is not just a party, but a deeply ingrained cultural moment where collective hopes, anxieties, and aspirations are played out.

For visitors from abroad, experiencing Capodanno in Italy offers a powerful immersion into local life. There are few resolutions and little sentimentality—what matters is being present, staying awake, eating well, and celebrating loudly. Whether spent in a grand city or a small village, the night is unforgettable. Fireworks crackle, glasses clink, lentils are eaten, and Italians embrace the future with noise, warmth, and conviction. Buon Capodanno!