How to Perfectly Make Seven Fishes for Your Christmas Feast

Are you familiar with the ancient Italian Christmas Eve tradition that is part of the Roman Catholic holiday season? We will fill you in and show you how to make seven fishes for your Christmas feast perfectly. City Fish Market has all the freshest seafood for your celebration at 884 Silas Deane Hwy in Wethersfield, CT. This is crucial because at the core of this Feast of Seven Fishes is that at least seven types of seafood are served—and the fresher the seafood, the better!

At the Heart of this Traditional Christmas Feast

Abstaining from meat on the vigil of Christmas is at the heart of the Feast of the Seven Fishes. The meatless vigil is a form of penance and reflection before the birth of Jesus Christ. A deeper dive into the Catholic influence is that the number seven is symbolic of the seven sacraments, the seven days of creation, and the seven deadly sins.

Ultimately, each family can enjoy this cherished event in their own way. Rather than being an overly somber occasion, it is a celebration of faith, family, and heritage.

Helpful Insights to Guide Your Feast of the Seven Fishes

Seafood brings a fresh, exciting twist to the holiday table. There are no rigid rules here. Though done right, this fabulous feast is the antithesis of a heavy traditional Thanksgiving spread. Refer to 57 Seafood Recipes for Your Feast of the Seven Fishes Dinner to make the planning process a snap.

If you love seafood (and hopefully you do!), few things compare to gathering around a generous spread of fish and shellfish. It feels festive, fun, and a little luxurious.
Seafood is naturally light and refreshing, so you can enjoy a flavorful Christmas Eve meal without feeling weighed down as you head into the big day.
One of the best perks? It’s straightforward to prepare. Seafood cooks quickly and doesn’t require complicated techniques or hours in the kitchen.
Beyond the fish itself, you only need a handful of basic ingredients—think butter, garlic, herbs, olive oil, lemon, and salt. In other words, shopping for a big gathering suddenly becomes very easy.
Hosting a Feast of the Seven Fishes doesn’t mean making seven separate dishes. A few types of seafood combined into several platters still capture the spirit beautifully.
Most seafood cooks in minutes and stays delicious at room temperature, so much of the meal can be made ahead of time.
Many seafood appetizers—like shrimp cocktail or tuna dip—are perfect served chilled, letting you prep a good portion of your menu early.
With the option to grill, bake, sauté, or broil, you can have multiple dishes cooking at once and bring everything to the table together without stress.
And nothing keeps people lingering, laughing, and talking like sharing a whole fish. Picking through the bones makes the meal slower and more interactive—perfect for unhurried, cheery conversations.
In the end, seafood is simply fantastic. It’s easy, elegant, slightly special, and absolutely ideal for a memorable Christmas celebration.

City Fish Market is All In with the Feast of the Seven Fishes!

The Christmas season is always anticipated with enthusiasm at City Fish Market. If you are a newbie to this wonderful Italian Catholic tradition, we are happy to help you perfectly make seven fishes for your Christmas feast by providing the freshest seafood. Seven seafoods suffice, rather than strictly preparing fish—either way, such a meal is sure to be spectacular!

When you visit our retail counters, lobster tank, and restaurant, you can see firsthand the delicious possibilities for a seven-seafood dinner. If you don’t know what you are looking for, be sure to ask! Our staff is friendly and knowledgeable. We are happy to answer any questions you may have, and we’ve been that way since 1930.

Visit City Fish Market today! For delivery, give us a call or fill out our online form. We extend hopes that you and your loved ones will be entranced by the peace, joy, light, and hope of the Christmas season!