From 3 to 6 January Urbania, capital of the Befana, will open its historical centre for the annual celebrations of the Befana witch who brings presents to children.
The town will celebrate from 3 to 6 January
The National Epiphany Festival is scheduled in the historical centre of Urbania, which is little more than an hour by car from Pesaro in the Marche region, from Friday afternoon 3 January to Monday 6 January 2025. At the opening of the 28th edition of the celebrations not only will the mayor, Marco Ciccolini, hand over the keys of the city to the Befana, but the Duke too will hand over the keys to his palace, so that visitors can appreciate its history, traditions and present-day contents. 
The Palace houses the Civic Musuem
The Palace on the Metauro River in the old town centre today houses the Civic Museum, a library with 40,000 volumes, the historical archive and ceramics workshops. The Museum of the History of Agriculture and Crafts is in the basement, as is an archaeological section with the recent discovery of a warrior prince's house from the pre-Roman era which will delight history and archaeology buffs.
Four days of fun and traditional festivities
The Befana is scheduled to arrive on her broomstick, throwing sweets and candy from the municipal bell tower above her house, almost at the entrance to the Palace, while the longest stocking in the world (more than 70 metres) will be paraded down the main street of the town, promising great selfie opportunities. During the four days of the festival the House of the Befana will welcome children by telling her story, in the Post Office they can write their letters to the old witch, and the Piazza del Mercatino will have many artistic handicraft stalls.
