New Year's Day, known as 'Capodanno', is a national holiday in Italy. It marks the first day of the year according to the Gregorian Calendar, January 1. Italians celebrate this day with family gatherings and feasts, and it is considered a day of renewal and beginnings. The festivities start the night before, on New Year's Eve, with fireworks displays and concerts happening throughout the country, lighting up the beautifully historic Italian skyline. Many Italians attend a midnight mass service to usher in the New Year, and big cities, like Rome and Milan, host public concerts and events.
On New Year's Day, as part of the Italian tradition, hearty meals are prepared with specific dishes that symbolise good luck and prosperity for the coming year. A popular dish consumed is 'cotechino con lenticchie', a deliciously rich pork sausage served with lentils. Lentils are considered a symbol of money and good fortune because their small, round shape resembles coins. Sparkling wines, such as Prosecco or Spumante, are normally used for toasting.
Furthermore, Italians have interesting traditions and superstitions associated with New Year's. For instance, in some parts of Italy, people believe in the custom of 'throwing out old things' by tossing old furniture and unwanted items out of their windows on New Year's Eve to symbolize letting go of past unhappiness and welcoming good luck for the New Year. Alongside these cultural traditions, singing, dancing, and enjoying life are essentially at the heart of celebrating 'Capodanno' in Italy.