Feast of the Seven Fishes

Origins and history

This celebration emerged during the peak years of Italian immigration to the United States, specifically between the 1880s and the 1930s. Immigrants brought their religious customs to cities in the Northeast and Upper Midwest. The meal stems from the Roman Catholic rule that forbids eating meat or animal fat on the eve of a major feast day. Observant Catholics would substitute fish for meat, often frying it in oil. While the term became popular in the mid-twentieth century, the first known newspaper reference appeared in Philadelphia in 1983.

How the feast is kept

Families gather for a long, ritualized dinner that can last several hours. The menu typically includes seven or sometimes thirteen different seafood dishes. Common items include fried smelts, calamari, baccalà (salted cod), anchovies, sardines, lobster, shrimp, mussels, clams, eels, squid, octopus, and whiting. Some menus also feature pasta, vegetables, baked goods, and wine. In some households, there is no strict count of the number of fish served.

Symbolism and meaning

The number seven holds various potential meanings within the tradition. It may represent the seven Sacraments of the Catholic Church. Alternatively, it could reference the seven hills of Rome. There is no single agreed-upon explanation for why this specific number is chosen. The abundance of food reflects the joy of the upcoming Christmas celebration. The meal serves as a communal act of faith and cultural preservation for Italian American communities.

How Feast of the Seven Fishes is kept

Families prepare a large dinner featuring multiple seafood dishes. The meal usually consists of seven or thirteen types of fish and shellfish. Common preparations include fried smelts, salted cod, and calamari. The dinner is eaten over several hours. Wine, pasta, and vegetables often accompany the seafood. The gathering marks the Catholic observance of abstinence from meat on Christmas Eve.

When and where

The feast takes place every year on December 24. It occurs on Christmas Eve, which is a vigil day in the Christian calendar. The date is fixed according to the Gregorian calendar.

The tradition is primarily kept in the United States. It is strongest among Italian American communities. Historically, it developed in cities across the Northeast and Upper Midwest regions where Italian immigrants settled.

What Feast of the Seven Fishes means

The number seven likely symbolizes the seven Sacraments of the Catholic Church. It may also refer to the seven hills of Rome. The absence of meat honors the religious rule against consuming animal products on the eve of a feast. The shared meal strengthens family bonds and maintains cultural identity.

Days Feast of the Seven Fishes is marked

Questions people ask about Feast of the Seven Fishes

See also

Holy WeekThe solemn seven days leading to Easter, recalling the final week and Passion of JesusChristmas EveThe evening before Christmas, marked by church services, family meals, and gift preparations across Christian cultures.Mardi GrasA festive day of parades and rich foods marking the final celebration before the Christian fasting season of Lent beginsAdvent wreathAn evergreen ring of candles lit week by week in the lead-up to Christmas

Good reading and sources

• Feast of the Seven Fishes on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos and video
• Wikidata recordOpen data

It may contain mistakes. Traditions differ from one family, village and community to the next, and the people who keep them know them best. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-04.