Capodanno (New Year)

 If you are looking for somewhere exciting and a once in a life time New Year's experience, then go to Naples!

December 31st

On the 31st, everyone is generally preparing for the night time meal and organising family meals and what their plans will be after midnight, which parties and bars to go to etc. The streets are filled with people shopping for last minute outfits, and food shopping for the big meal (cenone). Two very busy places are in Via Toledo, Pignasecca and Porta Nolana. Via Toledo is a large mostly pedestrianised street that leads down to Piazza Plebiscito, and is full of clothes shops and bars. Pignasecca leads off Via Toledo, and is mostly food shops; butchers, delicatessens selling cheeses etc. At Porta Nolana there is a fanous fish market. These streets are full of market vendors selling fresh fish; the traditional capitone, shell fish such as vongole, squid and many other types of fish. From the 24th of December until the 31st, the market is virtually open 24 hours, with many bancarelle never closing, and it's definitely an experience going shopping late at night or at one in the morning there. So many different types of fish to see, and the streets are packed (if not a bit smelly too from fishy water running through the streets so wear trainers!)

 There are many things to do in the night time. Many restaurants offer a set menu, but will be very booked up so need to be booked well in advance. Many people have a late meal, either at home or outside, with family and friends.

(photo castagnaroparking.it)

There is a large concert held every year in the grand Piazza Plebiscito (see above photo). It is usually televised, and there are local as well as famous musicians, or popstars and tv celebrities. The concert usually starts around 9 or 10 in the evening and sees in the New Year with a countdown. Many thousands of people come to see the concert, young people, tourists, Neapolitans, couples and families. Many come prepared for the long night ahead with bottles of spumante (Italian champagne) and warm clothes. There are many surrounding bars in the Piazza if you wish to top up on drinks or get a snack.

Just make sure you are in a safe place at midnight! At midnight, the whole city and surrounding areas become alive and 'on fire' with fireworks. It is also a tradition to throw out old furniture out the windows along with fireworks, so walking in town or in small streets in the centro storico is definitely NOT advisable! The whole city goes crazy for at least an hour with fireworks, and a good place to be at this time is Via Carracciolo by the sea (a short couple of minutes walk from Piazza Plebiscito), as you will see literally thousands of fireworks for hundreds of miles around; lighting up the Bay of Naples, and the islands of Ischia and Capri. There are organised firework displays, and many families hold their own displays too (this usually means they just light it and throw it out of the window at random!) People also let off fireworks in the piazzas and in the street, especially street boys or scugnizzi so be careful. Another excellent view point is from Museo di San Martino, which overlooks the whole city.

 (photo rai.it)

One organised firework display (see above) can be seen at the Castel D'Ovo on the sea (incendio dell'castello) A mock battle is staged between the castle and boats in the harbour, with many colourful fireworks, and the display usually last for about an hour if not more.

From midnight, there are many options open for partying. There is a huge free outdoors party playing dance and chart music at the port near Piazza Municipio. It is very busy, and there are also porta cabin toilets and nearby bars to buy food and drinks.

A more 'classy' option, is to go to the San Pasquale a Chiaia area near the desirable Chiaia and Via dei Mille area of Naples (about a ten minute walk from Piazza Plebiscito). Here there are many trendy winebars full of young people, open until the early hours of the morning. Many people go from bar to bar meeting up with different friends.

January 1st

 This day is very relaxed. The main meal is at lunch, when dishes such as taglioni in brodo or leftovers are eaten. Many people stroll along Via Caracciolo by the sea down to mergellina, and some may eat lunch by the sea. Family and friends visit, and people are generally recovering from partying the night before!

(photo stock.Xchang.com)

Epiphany - January 6th

This is the day when Italians traditionally exchange their Christmas presents. Children will have put up stockings the night before and receive gifts from Befana (above photo). Bad children will receive black coal! At Christmas markets, many Befana dolls and stocking fillers can be found, as can black coal sweets in sweet shops or on market stalls. This is also the day when Christmas officially ends, and the presepe is put away for another year.