Neapolitan holidays to celebrate even from afar: dates, traditions and what to make at home
If you were born in Naples, or have Neapolitan parents and grandparents, you feel the holidays even thousands of kilometres away. Here is the calendar of the best-loved occasions, with the traditions and dishes to recreate at home, wherever you are.
The calendar
| When | The holiday | The tradition |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday before the first Sunday in May | Miracle of San Gennaro | the first of the three days of the blood, with the procession |
| 19 September | Feast of San Gennaro | the city waits for the blood to liquefy |
| From 1 November | Nativity scene fair | San Gregorio Armeno fills with figurines and lights |
| 8 December | Immaculate Conception | the tree and the nativity scene go up |
| 16 December | San Gennaro's third date | the winter miracle |
| 24 December | Christmas Eve | the big fish dinner |
| 31 December | New Year's Eve | fireworks and the concert in Piazza del Plebiscito |
| Easter | Pastiera | made on Maundy Thursday |
To recreate at home
- The presepe (nativity scene): the Neapolitan tradition is to add a few new pieces every year. Many workshops in San Gregorio Armeno also ship abroad.
- Struffoli at Christmas and pastiera at Easter: these are the two recipes that bring Neapolitan families together all over the world.
- The Christmas Eve fish dinner, with insalata di rinforzo.
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Coming back for the holidays
Christmas and the Feast of San Gennaro are when many Neapolitans abroad come home. If you are looking for accommodation for a few weeks near your family, on Napolibnb you can ask the host directly for a long-stay price.
Further reading
- Christmas in Naplesnativity scenes and traditions
- Cathedral and Treasure of San Gennarothe miracle of the blood
- Neapolitan pastriesstruffoli and pastiera
Frequently asked questions
What are the dates of the miracle of San Gennaro?
The Saturday before the first Sunday in May, 19 September and 16 December.
Where to stay to come back to Naples for the holidays
202 places to stay in the Historic Centre on Napolibnb.it, the Naples holiday-rental portal: you contact the host directly, with no booking fees. Every listing shows its official CIN code.
