La Befana is the Italian gift-bringer who traditionally visits children on the night before Epiphany.
According to Italian folklore, Befana is an old woman who travels on a broomstick and enters homes during the night of 5 January. She fills stockings or shoes with sweets and gifts for well-behaved children, while naughty children may receive coal or dark candy. Her name is connected with Epiphany, whose Italian name is Epifania.
One legend says that the biblical Magi invited Befana to join them in visiting the infant Jesus. She declined at first, then regretted the decision and began searching for the child, leaving gifts for other children along the way.
Befana is sometimes compared with Santa Claus because both deliver presents, but she belongs specifically to Italian Epiphany traditions rather than to the North American Christmas Eve figure.