Befana

Friday night was the Befana, festival of the Epiphany. Every little village has a huge bonfire and vin brûle, mulled wine. Some set up beer and food booths also. You have to bring your Christmas tree to the be burnt, or you'll never be able to get rid of it in Italy. You can't put it in with the garbage, the recycling won't take it as the trunk is too thick for the chipper, and obviously it can't be burned in a fireplace. Here's the pile in Malnisio waiting to be burnt.

Grizzo has the best Befana near us. Unlike most villages, their bonfire is in the central park/piazza, rather than out in the fields. Also, this is when they sell their calender, full of historic pictures and stories of the commune (municipality). Additionally, they give out this little calender at the same time.

It's full of useful information, such as train and bus times, when the local doctor office is open, which gas station is open on each holidays, hours of the recycling center, etc...