The town of Urbania (Marche) brings in the New Year with a five-day magical childrens party (2-6 January 2011) in honour of the Befana, the old witch who traditionally brings Italian children presents on Epiphany, 6 th January. All the inhabitants of the hillside town participate in the Feast of Befana by hanging hundreds of stockings out of the windows, while every afternoon the old witch on her broomstick  descends from the bell towers of the Cathedral and the Town Hall to distribute gifts. 50,000 visitors attended last years edition of the Festival.

Urbania has a special relationship with Befana. She has her house there, where she reads fairy tales and traditional folk legends, and the townsfolk spend a year hand sewing the Worlds Longest Stocking, which is paraded proudly through the historic centre during the festival. Every year, hundreds of childrens letters arrive in Urbania, addressed to Befana, who scrupulously answers them all.

For information: www.labefana.com Tel (0039) 0721.855872