Epiphany Eve is dedicated to the Nott de Bisò, the final evening of the Niballo Palio di Faenza, with evocative performances and entertainment for all. At the stroke of midnight on 5 January, the Niballo, a large puppet depicting Hannibal - a Saracen warrior symbolising adversity - is burnt in a huge bonfire in the centre of Faenza. The puppet arrives in Piazza del Popolo on an ox-drawn cart, dressed in the colours of the winning Rione of the historic June Palio, which lights the fire.
The festival starts as early as 10 a.m. with the opening of the gastronomic stands of the five Faenza districts, which offer traditional dishes from Romagna.
The day is accompanied by lots of music, dancing and merriment.
During the evening, bisò - mulled wine - can be tasted in the characteristic Faenza ceramic gotti, created especially for the occasion.
A few minutes before the burning of the Niballo, coloured balloons with free tickets for the next Palio are launched: some of these manage to travel hundreds and hundreds of kilometres, even crossing national borders.