fIf you're dreaming of a Christmas filled with history, romance, and street lights reflecting off the ancient stones of the Eternal City, Rome is your place.
From early December through Epiphany on January 6th, the Italian capital transforms into a scene of magic: markets, lights, Nativity scenes, and an atmosphere that combines ancient tradition with cozy festivity.
In this guide you'll discover the best ideas for experiences, events, and places to add to your itinerary for an unforgettable Christmas in Rome.
Rome is fantastic during the holiday season. At this time of year, the Italian capital buzzes with activity. Christmas lights and decorations fill the streets and squares with festive spirit; shop windows are festive, and churches prepare for one of the biggest holidays in the Christian calendar.
Families begin planning the characteristic holiday gatherings of the season, and tourists fill the city. Rome at Christmas is a lively and cheerful place, and if you have the opportunity to visit Rome at this time, I highly recommend doing so!
In a previous article I wrote about visiting Rome in December. Today's guide complements it and looks specifically at Rome at Christmas, the festive things you can do in the city at this time, and the best tips for a Christmas vacation in Italy's capital.
When is Christmas in Rome?
The Christmas season in Rome runs from December 8th through January 6th. Christmas Eve is celebrated on December 24th, and Christmas Day on December 25th. December 8th marks the beginning of the holiday season. On this day the city celebrates the Catholic feast of the Immaculate Conception, and schools and offices have the day off.
By tradition, on December 8th families decorate their Christmas tree at home.
January 6th is Epiphany - the day Rome celebrates the arrival of the Three Wise Men in Bethlehem. This is a day off, and also the day that traditionally marks the end of the holidays: as the Italian saying goes "Epifania, tutte le feste porta via" (Epiphany takes all the holidays away)!
Important to know! The weeks between December 8th and January 6th are very busy in Rome. Make sure you've booked accommodations and attractions well in advance. Also consider additional reservations, such as dinner on Christmas Eve, Christmas lunch and dinner, and New Year's Eve dinner (December 24th, 25th, 31st).
Christmas Holidays in Rome
The main holidays you need to know about in Rome during Christmas are:
- December 8th - December 8th is a day off for locals, but this usually doesn't affect your ability to visit museums and attractions, which are open on this day.
- December 24th - Christmas Eve in Rome is pre-holiday. Some museums and attractions may be closed on this day or have shorter hours. Public transportation schedules and frequency may be affected, especially later in the day/night. By tradition, on this day families in Rome gather at home. This means many restaurants close for the occasion: book dinner in advance to make sure your chosen establishment is open, and expect set menus rather than à la carte (this isn't a rule, but is very common on holidays in Rome).
- December 25th: Christmas Day - December 25th in Rome is a holiday and several museums and attractions close on this day. Public transportation may be affected. If you plan to eat out, don't forget to make an advance reservation. Local restaurants may be closed on this day or only offer set menus. This is a day when local families are most likely at home, so don't be surprised if you encounter mostly tourists in restaurants and cafes.
- December 26th - this is a holiday. Some museums remain closed on this day.
- December 31st: New Year's Eve - possible early closures. Large dinners and gatherings are traditional, public transportation frequency is affected, especially later at night. If you plan to have dinner at a restaurant, book in advance (see below).
Are There Many Tourists in Rome at Christmas?
Rome at Christmas is very busy! Along with October and April, Christmas is one of the busiest times to visit Rome. Advance booking of accommodations and all attractions is mandatory.
Does It Snow in Rome at Christmas?
Usually not. Snow in Rome is a very rare occurrence and a white Christmas in the Eternal City is almost unheard of. Although cold, December is usually characterized by blue skies and crisp days. I recommend dressing appropriately for winter, but you don't need to bring bulky clothes.
What to Pack for Visiting Rome at Christmas
To visit Rome in December, you'll need comfortable, warm walking shoes, a coat (ideally waterproof), a scarf, and an umbrella. Heating in Italy isn't as strong as you may be used to in other countries, so don't expect to have to shed heavy clothes once you enter museums or restaurants.
I recommend wearing a long-sleeved top and a nice wool outer layer to keep you warm outside and comfortable when indoors.
You don't need many clothes in Rome, but scarves, gloves, and a hat can be useful.
See my packing list for Rome in December here.
Store Hours for Christmas in Rome
Stores have extended hours during the Christmas holidays, but close early on December 24th and often remain closed until December 27th. Large supermarket chains usually have longer hours, but there are no 24-hour stores in Rome.
There are usually no sales at Christmas. The official sale season in Rome begins in January.
Restaurants in Rome at Christmas
Eating out in Rome on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day isn't always easy: many restaurants close on the 24th, and those that are open usually have special Christmas menus with equally "special" prices.
The same happens on New Year's Eve, when restaurants are usually booked for events or offer special holiday menus.
Book a restaurant table in advance or do as the Romans do: stock up on food at home and join the festivities after dinner!
Museums and Attractions You Can Visit in Rome at Christmas
1. The Colosseum and Roman Forum - The Colosseum and Roman Forum close on December 25th. This is why advance booking is important.
Colosseum tickets can be purchased from Coopculture: the cheapest type of ticket, with tours organized by the Colosseum itself. Know that once purchased, the day and time cannot be changed.
Colosseum tour tickets can also be purchased from Get Your Guide: unlike Coopculture tickets, these can be changed.
Colosseum tickets online can be purchased here.
2. Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel at Christmas - The Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel are usually closed on December 8th, 24th, and 25th. They usually also close earlier on December 31st.
Christmas is a beautiful but very busy time to visit the museum: I highly recommend booking a tour and, if you can, choosing an early morning one because there are fewer tourists.
Good to know: here you can find our guide "The Vatican at Christmas".
3. Galleria Borghese at Christmas - Galleria Borghese is closed on December 25th.
Find my guide to Galleria Borghese here.
4. Capitoline Museums and other municipal museums in Rome - all municipal museums in Rome have shorter hours on December 24th and 31st (9:30 AM-2:00 PM) and are closed on December 25th. This includes Palazzo Massimo alle Terme, Terme di Diocleziano, Crypta Balbi, Musei Capitolini, Centrale Montemartini, and all museums in the "Musei in Comune" network.
10 Things to Do at Christmas in Rome This Year
With all these closures you may be wondering if there's anything you can do in Rome at Christmas. Actually, Rome has plenty of things to fill your vacation!
1. Admire St. Peter's Square in its Christmas splendor - Piazza San Pietro is a large square in front of St. Peter's Basilica. It has free access and is wonderful to visit during the Christmas season.
Here you'll find:
- The square itself, built by Bernini, is one of the most beautiful squares in Rome.
- The Vatican Christmas tree, one of the most beautiful in the city
- The Nativity scenes, which are different every year and usually beautiful and moving
- The "100 presepi" exhibition, featuring Nativity scenes from around the world (typically December 5th - January 6th)
St. Peter's Square is also home to St. Peter's Basilica, which is a must-see.
2. Explore the Nativity scenes - Nativity scenes are a major Italian Christmas tradition and you can see many beautiful ones in Rome. Besides the aforementioned "100 Presepi" exhibition, you can see them in several churches and public places throughout Rome.
Those at Piazza di Spagna (where the Spanish Steps are located) and Piazza del Popolo can easily be added to your Rome itinerary, as they're located at some of the most visited places in Rome!
3. Visit Rome's churches - Rome has hundreds of stunning churches and Christmas is a wonderful time to visit them, as this is a time of joy for Christianity, anticipating the celebration of Jesus's birth.
Rome's churches are too many to mention them all, but some are my favorites:
- Santa Prassede, a beautiful ancient church with some of the best mosaics in Rome
- Santa Maria della Vittoria, a Baroque church with a beautiful statue of St. Teresa by Bernini
- San Luigi dei Francesi, one of the best places in Rome where you can admire Caravaggio paintings for free.
>>> Here you can find my selection of the 10 best churches in Rome. <<<
4. Attend Christmas Mass at the Vatican - At Christmas the eyes of the Catholic world turn to St. Peter's Square, and if you're spending Christmas in Rome, you may want to participate in this event and see the Pope in person. Tickets for the liturgy at the Vatican are free but limited and hard to access: the official booking site is here. If you can't secure tickets, you can also choose the outdoor alternative.
On Christmas Eve you can head to St. Peter's Square and join the many visitors watching Mass on the large screens in the square, and on Christmas Day you can participate in Mass held in the square at noon.
No tickets are required for this liturgy (but keep in mind it's attended by many people).
5. Go ice skating - There's no snow in Rome at Christmas, but during the holiday there are special ice skating rinks. One I love is the small but beautiful rink at the Auditorium (Via De Courbetin), open until late evening. You can find more ice rinks in Rome at: Porta di Roma (Via Alberto Lionello, 201), Cinecittà World, Christmas Wonderland Roma (Viale Angelico), Euroma 2 (Viale dell'Oceano Pacifico, 83)
6. Celebrate Christmas Eve with fish on the table - Christmas Eve is a big celebration in Rome. Families gather on Christmas Eve and celebrate the holiday with lavish dishes, usually with a fish menu. This tradition is rooted in the Christian habit of fasting or at least eating lightly on the day preceding a major religious event. Salmon, fatty fish, and shrimp are the most popular appetizers, while pasta with clams and baked fish fillets are traditional main courses.
If you're renting an apartment in Rome for the holiday, which I highly recommend, you should do the same to feel part of the tradition. Just keep in mind that on Christmas Eve stores close early: don't forget to plan your food shopping accordingly!
7. Go shopping - Rome has wonderful shops, so if you're looking for things for yourself or gifts for friends and family, you won't be disappointed!
Here you can find my guide to the best shopping in Rome.
8. Visit the Christmas markets in Rome - Christmas markets aren't part of Italian Christmas traditions, but in recent years they've become quite popular. They're wonderful places to buy sweets, local specialties, and trinkets.
>>> A List of Christmas Markets in Rome Can Be Found Here <<<
9. Buy sweet "coal" - Italy celebrates Epiphany (January 6th) with La Befana - an old witch-like lady who on the night of January 5th-6th flies through Italy on a broomstick to deliver sweets to good children and coal (sugar in the shape of coal, nowadays) to naughty ones. If you want to introduce your kids to this tradition, Rome is the perfect place to do it! Sweet coal keeps for several days, so you can get it from the Christmas market in Rome and pull it out on January 6th.
10. Choose between Panettone and Pandoro - Panettone and pandoro are the most famous Christmas foods in Rome. You can and should try both and will most likely love both, but there's one fun fact you should know. Romans and Italians in general are divided into what I can only call two opposing teams: Team Pandoro and Team Panettone. Like all "serious" team rivalries, they accept no middle ground: if a local asks you which you prefer, choose one, but don't play innocent and say "I like both"!
You can read about this fun rivalry between Pandoro and Panettone here.
11. See Rome's Christmas lights - Rome's center gets beautiful lights during the Christmas season. Although they're not as impressive as those in, say, New York, they're worth seeing.
The best places where you can enjoy Christmas lights in Rome are the streets between Piazza di Spagna and Piazza Venezia (Via del Corso, Via dei Coronari), Trastevere, and Piazza Navona.