La Befana is an Epiphany festival in which the “Befana,” a kindly witch, bestows gifts on children— toys and candy for those who have been good, but a lump of coal or a pebble for those who have been naughty. The festival begins on the night of Jan 5 with much noise and merrymaking (when the Befana is supposed to come down the chimneys on her broom, leaving gifts in children’s stockings) and continues with joyous fairs, parades and other activities throughout 6 January.
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