What Is the Feast of the Seven Fishes?

Though celebrating Christmas with a Feast of the Seven Fishes is typically observed by Italian-American families, the holiday tradition is something anyone can do! It’s also just a really fun way to serve up seafood for your Christmas Eve dinner.

But what exactly is the Feast of the Seven Fishes and where did the tradition come from? Here’s a quick history lesson about the Italian Christmas dinner: It all stems from the Roman Catholic Church where it’s customary to eat fish (and abstain from meat) on the eve of feast days. So, on December 24, also known as Christmas Eve, many people opt to make a seafood-filled feast.

But here’s the thing, you don’t need to be Italian or Catholic to make your own Feast of the Seven Fishes. Anyone can participate in the tradition by checking out the menu ideas ahead. Read on for everything you need to know about the Feast of the Seven Fishes, including tips, recipes, and more!

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What Is the Feast of the Seven Fishes?

The Feast of the Seven Fishes is an Italian-American dinner made up of mostly fish and other seafood that’s celebrated on Christmas Eve. There’s no real consensus on what the seven fishes signify—some people claim the number seven symbolizes the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church while others say it’s meant to represent the seven days of the week or the seven hills of Rome. In fact, there are even families who choose to go all out with 12 fishes (in honor of the 12 apostles). Either way, the tradition of preparing a feast of the sea was considered a way for Italian-American immigrants to reconnect to their home country.

In deciding which fishes are served, that’s really up to you! Some of the most traditional dishes include stuffed clams, cold seafood salads, shrimp scampi, stuffed calamari, fritto misto (fried seafood and vegetables), mussels marinara, baccalà (salt cod) and many more!

A History of the Feast of the Seven Fishes

The origins are a bit murky: It’s thought to have started in Sicily, where fish is abundant. Along with the custom of avoiding meat before a holy holiday, this special dinner (also known as La Vigilia) became popular in the United States when many southern Italians were immigrating to the U.S. during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

While many people in Italy enjoy a big meatless Christmas Eve dinner, the feast of the seven fishes is mostly an American tradition. In fact, many Italians have never even heard of the feast! Of course, anyone who loves seafood can try it out! Simply, pick and choose a few of the recipes below to add to your holiday table.

How to Host a Feast of the Seven Fishes

Whether or not you grew up eating fish on Christmas Eve, your family will surely be impressed that you gave it a try! Luckily, there are no set rules for which types of fish to serve so the menu can vary depending on your preferences. If you want to include seven different fishes, try spreading it out throughout the feast—from Christmas appetizers to main courses. You can also sprinkle in some non-fish dishes, like vegetable sides. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Feast of the Seven Fishes Menu

Caitlin Bensel

Appetizers

Crab-Stuffed Mushrooms

Shrimp Dip

Shrimp Cocktail

Smoked Salmon Dip

Lemony Garlic Shrimp

Danielle Daly

Soups and Salads

Lobster Bisque

Clam Chowder

Fish and Chips Salad

Caitlin Bensel

Main Courses

Grilled Lobster Tails

Surf and Turf

Baked Salmon

Seared Scallops

Foil-Packet Shrimp Pasta

Sheet Pan Salmon Puttanesca

Sea Bass with Lemon-Garlic Butter

Danielle Daly

Side Dishes

Stuffed Artichokes with Anchovy

Creamed Spinach

Herb Focaccia

Slow Cooker Green Beans

Parmesan Steak Fries

Eggplant Caponata

Danielle Daly

Dessert

Italian Christmas Cookies

Pizzelle

Rainbow Cookies

Espresso Biscotti

Affogato

Struffoli

More tasty christmas ideas