Little Italy Special Holiday Tour
The holiday season is a great time to showcase
the history and charm of Little Italy with a special neighborhood tour!
Saturday December 6, 2025
Noon-1:00p.m.
Begins at IAMCLE
Join IAMCLE Director Pamela Dorazio Dean to learn about the neighborhood’s holiday history and Italian traditions, and folklore. If you’ve been good, La Befana may have something special for you!
Tour ticket includes hot chocolate and cookies + Take a Hike souvenir. Arrive 15-30 minutes before the start of the tour to allow yourself time to enjoy the Italian American Museum.
This tour is outside, rain or shine, so dress for the weather.
Tickets are non-refundable.
OFFERED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH TAKE-A-HIKE
Il Viaggio: Celebrating the Italian American Journey
A Talk with Author Victoria V. Sirianni
Saturday December 6, 2025
3:00-4:00p.m.
at IAMCLE
FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
Donations welcome.
Reservations requested but not required.
Light refreshments served.
Join historian Victoria V. Sirianni for a discussion of her new book Il Viaggio: The Journey from Italian to America a deeply personal exploration of the Italian immigrant experience. Il Viaggio tells the story of those who came to America—who thrived, suffered and ultimately helped shape a great immigrant nation.
Il Viaggio brings history to life through vivid stories of everyday people (including her own family) while uncovering little-known aspects of major headlines, like the Sacco and Vanzetti Affair. It highlights the remarkable achievements of Italian Americans in literature, entertainment, science, medicine, law - and during World War II.
Program
In discussion with Cleveland author Laura DeMarco (Lost Cleveland), Sirianni – who grew up in Cleveland and now divides her time between Massachusetts and Abruzzo, Italy – will share stories from her book, researching her roots and returning to her parent’s homeland as a homeowner – and how you could, too.
Bio - Author Victoria V. Sirianni
Victoria V. Sirianni is a first-generation American who grew up in Cleveland, deeply immersed in her family’s Italian heritage. A historian and educator, she studied at Carnegie Mellon University and earned an M.Ed. from Harvard University. After a distinguished career at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, she turned her focus to writing and lecturing on Italian American history and culture.
Sirianni continues to explore the stories of those—like her own family—who made the viaggio to America in search of a better life.
Explore Italy: Natale in Italia!
NEW EXPLORE ITALY PROGRAM
Natale in Italia:
Italian Christmas Foods & Traditions
Saturday, December 13 • 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
$30 per person • Limited seating
Join us at the Italian American Museum of Cleveland for a festive deep-dive into authentic Italian Christmas traditions — the ones celebrated in Italy, which are often delightfully different from Italian-American traditions.
Dr. Paola Basile will guide us through the beloved customs that shape the holiday season in different regions across Italy, including:
✨ Babbo Natale – Italy’s modern Santa
✨ La Befana – the legendary Epiphany witch who brings sweets (or coal…)
✨ La Tombola – the classic Neapolitan number game played every Christmas
✨ Italian Numbers – learn (or refresh!) your Italian counting so you can play like a pro
We’ll even play a round of Tombola together, with prizes!
Guests will enjoy a curated tasting of traditional Italian Christmas specialties, including:
- Pandoro & Panettone (dolce)
- Italian charcuterie
- Spumante (Italy’s festive sparkling wine)
- Torrone (nougat candy)
- AND MORE!
Come savor the true flavors and folklore of an Italian Christmas — lively, warm, and full of tradition.