Ever wondered what Italians eat for Christmas dinner or how Spaniards ring in the New Year? From Naples to NYC, discover these unique holiday traditions around our destinations!
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Warm Up with Paris’ Best Hot Chocolate
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Visiting the French capital? Don’t skip the hot chocolate! From concoctions spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom at Maison Aleph to the artisanal blends at Jean-Paul Hévin, Paris has amazing hot chocolate. Whether you prefer a traditional experience or a modern twist, these options will satisfy your sweet cravings.
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Nativity Scenes:
Minis to the Max
Italy has a deep appreciation for elaborate Nativity scenes (presepe). The heart of the tradition is found in Naples, where pizzerias, trattorias, and restaurants often display their own nativity scenes! Arriving in Naples after the festive period? Never fear, the city’s famous Via dei Presepe has a year-round Christmas market with holiday ornaments and miniatures destined for – you guessed it – nativity scenes.
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Saint
Thomas’ Day (December 21st)
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Rooted in Basque heritage, Santo Tomás marks a cherished tradition in San Sebastián. Once a day for farmers to pay rent, sell produce, and visit tailors, it was also a time to socialize and seek a spouse. Today, locals dress in traditional clothing, eat talos (corn tortillas with pork sausage), sip cider, and enjoy dancing and live music. A highlight is the iconic pig raffle featuring a 350 kilo (772 pound) pig! Eguberrion—happy holidays!
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NYC Insider Tips: Planning a Holiday Visit
Missed our live event about the magic of New York City? Catch the replay and make the most of your holiday trip! Locals Matt Kepnes (Nomadic Matt), Nikki Padilla (Atlas Obscura), and Courtney Christine (Vox Media) share can’t-miss holiday activities, creative ideas for celebrating New Year’s Eve, navigating restaurant reservations and more!
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Team Panettone vs. Team Pandoro
No Italian Christmas is complete without panettone and pandoro, two iconic holiday cakes with a long history and even longer-standing rivalry.
Panettone, a Milanese favorite, is a soft, airy cake filled with raisins and candied fruit, while pandoro, from Verona, is known for its golden, buttery richness and dusting of powdered sugar. Depending on which Italian region you visit, you may also encounter panforte, pangiallo, or panpepato!
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A Taste of Portugal’s Festive
Treats
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Portugal’s Christmas cake, Bolo Rei (King’s Cake), may look vaguely familiar. That’s because the holiday staple was inspired by the French Gâteau des Rois! This treat features a soft, bread-like dough filled with nuts and dried fruits, topped with colorful candied fruit and powdered sugar. Prefer something simpler? Try Bolo Rainha (Queen’s Cake), a candied-fruit-free version
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