Christmas is getting closer, and Verona is preparing for the huge influx of tourists who will visit the city over the holidays. Some of the Christmas celebrations in town include the Santa Lucia markets, the exhibition of nativity scenes from all over the world, and a new star that will light up the city. In reality, there are two other must-see events: New Year’s Eve in Piazza Bra and the Befana del Vigile (the police’s Befana). While some initiatives have already begun, the municipality is working to meet the influx of tourists by making some modifications, such as changing the entrance to Juliet’s House.
Juliet’s House at Christmas
Among the modifications made for the Christmas season is a new access for Juliet’s House, which can now be reached via Teatro Nuovo in Piazzetta Navona. The goal is to improve traffic flow and avoid queues on Via Cappello. To see the iconic statue and Juliet’s balcony until January 8, one must walk through the theater, which has created a Shakespeare-themed setup this year. There will be panels with artwork, images, and videos, as well as mini-dramas, to retell the most famous love tale ever. The exit, however, will be in Via Cappello.
The courtyard and Juliet’s house are open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., with the last entry to the house at 6:30 p.m. At 6:40 p.m., the courtyard closes. The site will be open on Monday, December 11, but will be closed on December 25 and January 1. To visit the House Museum and get access to the balcony, you must always arrange your entrance online at museiverona.com.
New Year’s Eve and Epiphany in Verona
The traditional New Year’s Eve concert in Piazza Bra has also been confirmed. Verona will ring in the new year with a performance by some well-known musicians and singers in front of the Arena anphitheatre. The municipality will soon announce all of the plans for the night.
Another must-see celebration is the Befana del Vigile, a charity event organized by the Social Cooperative “Al Calmiere” and the local police. It is a historical revival of the post-war years, when food and gifts were collected to be redistributed to people in need and when the initiative became an opportunity to thank the policemen for their service to the city.
In contrast, the Falò della Vecia (the old woman’s bonfire) will not be there for Epiphany 2024, as it has been in prior years. The cause is air pollution; in fact, the custom holds that on January 6, in the city’s center plaza, the befana has to be burned, symbolized by a gigantic human-shaped puppet about ten meters tall, made of rags and faggots, which is placed on a wood pyre and set on fire.
