Natale may be past, and La Festa di Santo Stefano is over as well, but remember, in Italy the holiday season is celebrated all the way through La Festa dell'Epifania on January 6. And so, while it's true that things can be pretty quiet in Stresa in the winter, there are a few more special events, both traditional and new, happening in these days to tell you about.

On the evening of Thursday, December 30, there will be a very special (and free!) dance performance. In the beautiful auditorium of the Palazzo dei Congressi The Flying Tzars, The Imperial Russian Dance Company, will entertain all with their ballet and traditional Russian dance routines. The show begins at 9:00 pm.

On Friday, December 31, at 3:00 pm in the afternoon, New Year's Eve starts with an "Insulae Harmonicae" classical music concert, at the Parrocchia San Vittore, the church on Isola Bella. Not only is the concert free, but free water taxis have been arranged to transport guests to and from the performance. These free taxis will leave from Piazzale Lido, the Carciano boat stop.

And on January 6, for the Festa dell'Epifania, there will be the traditional procession of the Re Magi into Stresa. They will begin at 4:00 pm from the Palazzo dei Congressi.

La Festa di Santo Stefano, in case you were wondering, is celebrated on December 26th and marks the announcement of the birth of Jesus and the arrival of the Three Wise Men. In Italy it is treated as another family day, to be celebrated with visits and food.