Are you planning to spend New Year’s Eve in Italy? Here are some useful pieces of information as you plan your holiday in Italy to welcome the new year. If you have any other questions that are not addressed below, feel free to write them in the comments and we will get back to you.
CAN I SEE FIREWORKS ON NEW YEAR’S EVE IN ITALY?
Yes! In all big cities, there are organized fireworks for all to marvel at, a great feature of this night all around the country. Most smaller cities and towns do not host official firework displays but there are some exceptions, such as Ferrara, Rimini, Como…
In some parts of the city, however, there may be some illegal fireworks. Please be careful to avoid them when you are out and about as getting too close to them can be potentially dangerous.
Sometimes NYE “preparations” start as early as a few days before the 31st, with illegal fireworks and firecrackers being set off as a “warm-up” to the big night. Some local governments in certain cities, however, have banned firecrackers and fireworks altogether.
While such bans have certainly helped reduce the overall amount of illegal fireworks and firecrackers used, unfortunately, they are still widely used.
WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE IN ITALY ON NEW YEAR’S EVE?
The temperature on December 31 depends on which region in Italy you are talking about. If you are celebrating the year’s end in the north (in Turin, Milan, or Venice, for example), you can bet that it will be fairly chilly. So, warm clothing is certainly advised.
If you are roaming the streets and enjoying the festivities outside, you can’t go wrong by sporting a few layers (top, blazer, and jacket, for instance). Additionally, a scarf, gloves, and warm footwear will be key. If you have an indoor event to attend, still dress warmly and leave any accessories in the cloakroom.
Going down to central Italy – anywhere from Florence down to Naples and everything in between – it may still be relatively cold but not as bitingly fresh as in the north.
While temperatures are milder in the south (in Sicily or Naples, for example), we still advise you to dress warmly – it may well be colder indoors than outdoors, as buildings are not as insulated as in northern Europe.
WHAT SHOULD I WEAR TO GET INTO CLUBS?
People love dressing up in Italy, and New Year’s Eve is no different. What’s more, many Italians dress up in black – either totally or as a dominant theme – on this occasion. Of course, you don’t have to, but this is why you may see a lot of black around!
If you are looking to go to a club, go dancing, or attend a private party, we recommend you put on your best clothes and dress up for the occasion! This doesn’t necessarily mean you have to spend a lot of money or feel the pressure to be too fancy – you can do it as simply as you like. Simply bring an elegant outfit with you on holiday and let it loose on the big night.
Ideas for women could be a nice dress, combined with some matching shoes. Alternatively, you could wear a nice pair of jeans and an elegant jacket.
Ideas for men could be a nice shirt, complemented by a nice jacket, jeans or chinos, and some classy shoes.
However you dress, remember one thing – wear red underwear! It’s an Italian tradition that if followed, is thought to bring you good luck.
DO I NEED TO RESERVE A TABLE FOR A RESTAURANT?
Certainly. Reservations are the way to go on New Year’s Eve as everybody wants to dine out. Our recommendation would be to reserve a table well in advance so you don’t need to stress about finding a table on the night, which might turn out to be a fruitless search.
Most restaurants in Italy on New Year’s Eve offer a set menu. You pay a certain amount and this includes an aperitif, first and second courses, a dessert and, of course, beverages. These are advertised as ‘cenone di Capodanno’ or simply ‘cenone’.
For your Italian skills – ‘cena’ means dinner and ‘cenone’ means big dinner.
WHAT IS OPEN ON DECEMBER 31ST (NEW YEAR’S EVE) AND ON JANUARY 1ST?
Almost everything is open on December 31, including supermarkets, pharmacies, hairdressers, and retailers. Some retailers may have already closed but as a general rule, you will find everything you need in preparation for the big night.
If December 31 falls on a Sunday, more shops may be closed – but supermarkets will generally always be open.
On the flip side, almost everything is closed on January 1, including even supermarkets. For this reason, we recommend that you stock up on the days before to have enough to eat in the following days.
