Our December Wine Dinner will have a different twist/theme - Feast of the 7 Fishes with Santa and Mrs. Claus as your hosts! Although the traditional feast has 7 courses, we will still have 4 courses with 4 wines but will incorporate as many seafood varieties as possible into the overall meal. Santa and Mrs Claus will share Christmas traditions and origin stories of many of our favorite holiday themes and will walk around to each table and guests for pictures and storytelling. You do NOT need to be Catholic to celebrate the Feast of the 7 Fishes! The Feast of the Seven Fishes, also known as Festa dei Sette Pesci in Italian, is a traditional Christmas Eve celebration that originated in Southern Italy, particularly in the regions of Campania, Apulia, and Calabria. This festive occasion is characterized by the preparation and consumption of seven different seafood dishes, which vary depending on the region and personal preferences. But have you ever wondered when this beloved tradition began? In this article, we will delve into the history of the Feast of the Seven Fishes, exploring its origins, evolution, and significance in Italian-American culture. Introduction to the Feast of the Seven Fishes The Feast of the Seven Fishes is a time-honored Christmas Eve tradition that is deeply rooted in Italian Catholicism. The celebration is believed to have originated in the early Christian Church, where Christmas Eve was a day of abstinence from meat. This meant that Christians would refrain from consuming meat on the evening of December 24th, instead opting for fish and other seafood dishes. Over time, the tradition evolved, and the number of seafood dishes served on Christmas Eve became a significant aspect of the celebration.