The Venetian Social Club in Philadelphia will host a special event on Dec. 10 to discuss Christmas traditions in Poffabro, Italy, as part of its yearlong centennial celebration.

The club, originally founded by immigrants from the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region of northeastern Italy, puts on monthly events leading up to its 100th anniversary next year. December’s event will focus on holiday customs near the founders’ hometowns.

Poffabro is renowned in Italy for its elaborate outdoor Nativity scenes that transform the village into a living reenactment of Jesus Christ’s birth. The tradition began in 1997 and now draws crowds of tourists each Christmas season.

Residents handcraft intricate figurines and assemblages to display on streets, courtyards, and windowsills. The custom reflects the Italian emphasis on homespun Nativity scenes to represent the holiday’s religious roots.

While American children await Santa Claus, Italian youngsters celebrate San Nicolo. Bearing resemblance to St. Nicholas, he arrives on Dec. 6 bearing sweets and treats to place in shoes children leave outside their doors.

Holiday meals also differ. Italians feast on seafood on Christmas Eve, then unwind with lasagna, roasts and brandy-infused Panettone cake on Dec. 25. A cheese called Frico is fried into crispy pancakes for snacking.

Epiphany on Jan. 5 is marked by bonfires, whose smoke forecasts the coming year’s harvest based on its drift direction. An elderly witch called La Befana also flies her broom over houses to stash candy for well-behaved children and coal for naughty ones.

The Venetian Social Club’s festivities aim to bridge Italian and other holiday customs. The event runs 1-4 p.m. Dec. 10 at the club’s headquarters, 8030 Germantown Ave. Admission is free.