One of the great Christmas traditions in Italy is the Feast of La Befana which is celebrated on January 6, the 12th day of Christmas
, also known as the Epiphany and the Feast of the Three Kings. It is just as important to the Italians as Christmas itself. Many towns hold parades and festivals, along with bonfires to burn away bad memories of the old year; panettone and focaccia is eaten along with a glass of mulled wine.

Legend has it that the three Kings, on the night between the 5th and 6th of January, went to visit the baby Jesus. They walked all night carrying presents with them. They became lost and knocked on the door of an old woman’s house, the house of La Befana.