How they celebrate New Years in Italy
Rome
Rome's traditional New Year's Eve celebrations are centered in Piazza del Popolo. Huge crowds celebrate with rock and classical music and dancing and of course, fireworks. The celebrations last well into the night. On New Year's day (while the adults are sleeping), children will be entertained in the square by performers and acrobats.
Next to the church of Santa Maria del Popolo, you can still see the exhibit of traditional nativity scenes (through January 8) from 100 regions of Italy and other countries of the world.
Rome has a classical music concert outdoors on the square in front of the Quirinale, off Via Nazionale, around 11:00 followed by fireworks at midnight.
Rimini
Rimini, on the Adriatic coast, is one of Italy's most popular nightlife spots. Besides celebrations in numerous nightclubs and bars, Rimini holds a huge New Year's Eve festival in Piazzale Fellini starting at 9:00. There's music, dancing, and entertainment and a spectacular fireworks display. The Rimini New Year's Eve festival will be televised in Italy.
Naples and Capri
Naples is known as having one of the best New Year's Eve fireworks displays. They also have huge outdoor music events and in some parts of Naples, people still throw their old things out of their windows.
A tradition called Lo Sciuscio originated in Naples. Although it has pretty much died out there, it still exists in some smaller towns nearby. Groups of amateur musicians (now mainly children) go from house to house playing and singing on New Year's Eve. A small gift of money or sweets is given to them to bring good luck in the new year and turning them away may bring bad luck.
Near Naples, local folkloric groups perform in the Piazzetta in Capri and Piazza Diaz in Anacapri on January 1.
Bologna
Bologna traditionally celebrates New Year's Eve with the Fiera del Bue Grasso (fat ox fair). The ox is decorated from horns to tail with flowers and ribbons. The church bells are rung, spectators light candles and of course, fireworks are set off. At the end, a special lottery is held with the winner getting to keep the ox. The procession ends just before midnight in Piazza San Petronio.
Venice
Many restaurants in Venice go all out with huge feasts on New Year's Eve, starting around 9:00 and lasting until midnight. Although expensive, they tend to be very good with many courses and lots of wine. Be sure to make a reservation ahead of time. Many restaurants will be closed on New Year's day, however. You can usually expect pizza places, hotel restaurants, and Chinese restaurants to be open.
St Mark's Square has a huge celebration with music, a giant fireworks display, bellini brindisi (toast), and a huge group kiss at midnight. The group kiss will also be held in Piazza Ferretto in Mestre Venice New Year program.
On New Year's Day, many bathers take a chilling dip in the waters of Venice's Lido Beach. That's one way to get over your hangover!
Florence
Many restaurants in Florence will have extravagent meals, too. Be sure to reserve early. Fireworks will be set off at midnight and a good place to see them would be on one of the bridges on the Arno. There will be many private fireworks celebrations all over town, too.
One of the most popular clubs in Florence, Tenax, holds a New Year's Eve party. Here are more nightclubs and places to party
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