Rome in December is a magical combination of winter atmosphere, rich cultural events, and enchanting Christmas spirit. In this guide you’ll discover what to expect from the weather, which holidays to plan around, what to pack, and which winter attractions and events you shouldn’t miss during your trip to the Eternal City at the end of 2025.
December is a wonderful month to visit Rome. During this time of year the weather is cold but also often bright and crisp, city life is in full swing offering numerous exhibitions, theater performances and concerts. Plus, preparations for Christmas holidays mean wonderful shopping opportunities and activities you can only do during December!
However, Rome in December can also be disappointing for visitors. While the beginning of the month is usually calm, once you enter the Christmas weeks, things change dramatically. Rome at Christmas is beautiful, but genuinely packed with people.
More specific information about Christmas holidays in Rome can be found in my article about Rome at Christmas.
This article is part of our “best time to visit Rome” series – 12 monthly guides to the Eternal City.
Travel Rules for Rome in December
Entry rules for Italy and access rules for attractions, restaurants, and cultural sites in Rome are subject to constant updates by Italian health authorities.
The best way to stay current with rules that may affect your trip is to keep official websites handy and check regularly for news.
Weather in Rome During December
December is a winter month in Rome. The average temperature in Rome during December is 9°C (48°F) with a range from 15°C to 4°C (59°F to 39°F). Typically Rome has around 9 rainy days during December, so it’s important to be prepared for wet weather.
During December you can expect short days and long evenings, making this month ideal for visitors who want to enjoy museums and restaurants more than outdoor spaces. Despite the short daylight hours, December can be an exceptionally bright month with crisp, clear winter light.
What to Wear in Rome During December
December in Rome is more cool than cold, but it can be damp. Therefore, it’s best to bring winter clothing for your stay in Italy’s capital.
See my complete packing list for Rome in December here.
If you’re traveling to Rome in December, it’s important to pack:
- Comfortable closed-toe walking shoes that are waterproof. I recommend two pairs in case one gets wet and doesn’t dry overnight – sneakers and ankle boots are also good solutions for this season. You don’t need lined boots
- Wool sweaters and cardigans
- Winter coat
- Scarf, gloves, and hat
- Small umbrella
- Formal clothing if you’re visiting Rome during Christmas season and planning nice dinners or evening outings. Rome isn’t overly formal, but a sparkly top for women and blazer and shirt for men will make you feel comfortable when dining out during holiday season
December Holidays in Rome: What You Need to Know
December is an important month in Rome, and even more so in the Vatican, so it’s important to be aware of closures and reduced hours that may affect museums, attractions, shops, and restaurants.
Important dates to know for visiting Rome in December:
- December 8 (Feast of the Immaculate Conception): This is a Catholic holiday and the date that marks the beginning of Christmas celebrations. It’s a day off for locals and usually the day when Christmas trees are decorated. The most impressive is in St. Peter’s Square (Piazza San Pietro), while the one in Piazza Venezia has had mixed success over the years (see below!). Shops in the city center usually aren’t closed on this day
- December 24 (Christmas Eve): Christmas Eve is a major event in Rome. Families gather for pre-Christmas dinner and many people attend midnight mass. On December 24th, shops close earlier and dinner reservations are essential. In many cases restaurants have set Christmas Eve menus and prices may be higher than usual – make sure you plan this meal in advance
- December 25 (Christmas Day): Christmas in Rome is traditionally a family and church day, and this significantly affects the opening of attractions and shops. This is one of the few days of the year when the Colosseum is closed (good to know: it’s open on the 24th and 31st), the Vatican is closed (museums, not the square and basilica), as well as Borghese Gallery
- December 26 (St. Stephen’s Day): December 26th is also a holiday for Italians, and many attractions reopen on this day. The major exception is the Vatican Museums, which are closed on this day
- December 31 (New Year’s Eve): New Year’s is a normal working day for most of Rome and this means it doesn’t have a major impact on sightseeing. However, it may affect your dinner plans, as many restaurants don’t offer normal service and may require advance reservations and provide special menus. Make sure you book a restaurant that suits you early enough. Traditional celebrations and gatherings take place at Piazza del Popolo (be careful, it gets very crowded)
Best Things to Do in Rome During December
December in Rome is a suitable time for sightseeing, but the changeable weather will require a combination of outdoor and indoor attractions.
The places I recommend visiting during December are:
1. Visit the Colosseum in December
If you have time during midday, visiting the Colosseum in December can be a wonderful idea.
Advance reservation is mandatory and you can choose the date and time of your visit – during winter I recommend trying to secure a spot in late morning (after 11 AM) or early afternoon to avoid the coldest hours of the day.
The most economical tickets for visiting the Colosseum are those issued by the Colosseum management company itself, called Coopculture. They offer several types of visits and their quality is high, but they offer no flexibility, so I recommend booking only after you’re sure the time and date are suitable.
If you need more flexibility, I recommend checking out our guide to the best Colosseum tickets here.
If you’re visiting the Colosseum in December, especially toward the end of the month, dress warmly as it can get cold, especially if you go early morning or late afternoon/evening.
The Colosseum ticket includes access to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. I love both the Forum and Palatine, but especially Palatine gets very cold during this time of year.
I recommend visiting only on a warmer day, during the warmest hours of the day, or at least if you’re dressed warmly!
You can find my guide to visiting the Roman Forum here.
2. Visit the Vatican in December
I can’t think of a more appropriate time for visiting the Vatican than Christmas, especially in the weeks before Christmas.
In St. Peter’s Square during December, a huge Christmas tree is erected and there’s a Nativity scene that’s different every year and always magical, beautiful, and moving to see (even if you’re not religious).
If you’re visiting Rome in early December, this is also a suitable time to visit the museums.
The same cannot be said for the last week of the month – crowds during this time are insane! I would only recommend visiting the square and basilica. Make sure you secure tickets in advance, as there’s no such thing as a truly quiet day there!
3. Explore Rome’s Main Piazzas and Hidden Treasures
During this time of year, all of Rome’s main squares can be visited comfortably. Head to Pantheon Square, Campo de’ Fiori, Trevi Fountain, and Spanish Steps to familiarize yourself with Rome’s most famous places, but also visit smaller squares like Piazza Mattei and Piazza Mincio to get a taste of local life.
During December, local life in Rome is in full swing, so as soon as you leave the most popular areas, you’ll see and feel the Rome of the locals.
4. Visit Churches in Rome
Visiting churches in Rome is always a good idea, but it’s never as good as during Christmas – an extremely important time for Catholicism. During the weeks leading up to Christmas, masses and services are regularly held in churches. This may affect your visiting opportunities, but Rome has so many churches that if you can’t enter one, you’ll enter the next one!
Some of the many churches worth visiting include San Luigi dei Francesi (with the famous Caravaggio), San Pietro in Vincoli (with Michelangelo’s Moses), Santa Prassede (incredible mosaics), Santa Maria della Vittoria, and Santa Maria in Trastevere, but the list could go on!
5. Visit the Borghese Gallery
The Borghese Gallery is indoors and ideal for in-depth art exploration on a cold day. The gallery houses masterpieces by Bernini, Canova, Raphael, and many other art masters and is one of the most beautiful museums in the world.
6. Visit Piazza Navona and the Christmas Market (Maybe)
Piazza Navona looks very different depending on when in December you visit the square. At the beginning of the month, the square is a stunning vision of sculptural perfection, with masterpieces by Bernini and Borromini taking center stage in this ancient imperial stadium.
During the second half of the month, however, Piazza Navona hosts a Christmas bazaar and fills with stalls selling trinkets.
In the past the market was beautiful, but in recent years it seems to have declined – it’s worth knowing about it, but I wish I could warn you that it may not be quite like the holiday markets of your imagination.
Good to know! You can find wonderful markets in Rome if you venture outside the center and join more local events.
>>> You can find my selection of lovely Christmas markets in Rome here <<<
7. Visit Nero’s Domus Aurea
The Domus Aurea is Emperor Nero’s luxurious palace. Built in the 1st century AD as an ultra-modern estate, the Domus is now an underground archaeological excavation, but it’s beautiful and extremely interesting to visit.
8. Visit Rome’s Catacombs
Rome’s catacombs represent an extensive network of underground tunnels dating from early Christian times. The tunnels are ancient burial sites and are very interesting to visit from both an experiential perspective (you’ll find yourself many meters below Rome!) and educational value.
Access to the catacombs is only possible with a guide, and the information and stories they share are unique!
During December, the catacombs are also a good place to escape from rain – just don’t forget to dress warmly because they’re quite cold! Among the many catacombs, I love the Catacombs of San Callisto the most. Get tickets here.
9. Visit the Baths of Diocletian – Rome has two important ancient Roman baths: the Baths of Caracalla and the Baths of Diocletian
Both are beautiful, but during December I prefer those of Diocletian as they also have an indoor museum.
10. See the Torlonia Marble Collection at the Capitoline Museums
December 2021 is the last month you can admire the Torlonia marble collection – a beautiful collection of statues belonging to the Torlonia family and only temporarily open to visitors.
11. Warm Up in a Roman Enoteca (Wine Bar)
Rome may evoke images of aperitivo in the piazza, but during December that’s unlikely to happen. In Rome during December, what you really want to do is warm up in a cozy place, and this happens nowhere better than in a local enoteca – Roman wine bars.
Enoteche in Rome come in all shapes and sizes and are usually small establishments with small tables, dark wood décor, and warming food.
12. Go Shopping
Hoping for pre-Christmas shopping? Rome won’t disappoint – whether you’re looking for souvenirs, gifts, fashion items, or something else, Rome has something for you.
13. Have Hot Chocolate at Rome’s Chocolate Factory
A wonderful way to warm up in Rome during December is with a cup of hot chocolate. The best place for this is the beautiful SAID chocolate factory, Rome’s Chocolate Factory.
14. Go to Opera or Concerts
Rome has a good opera and ballet program, which you can check here.
Music lovers should also check out the program at Auditorium Parco della Musica, Rome’s beautiful concert hall. See it here.
15. Take a Food Tour
Rome’s delicious food pairs exceptionally well with the changing season. This is a wonderful time of year to take a food tour and taste everything!
Here are the tours worth considering:
- Rome Street Food Tour with Local Guide and Local Food Tastings
- Evening Trastevere Tour with Local Food Tastings
- Rome Espresso, Gelato and Tiramisu Tour
When you’re in Rome during December, you must try all these delicious things Rome offers! During this season I recommend:
- Carbonara: warming and delicious, perfect for the slightly cooler weather during this season
- Trippa – a warming dish for the adventurous
- Supplì – fried rice balls with molten mozzarella center, a traditional Roman appetizer
- Pizza, perfect year-round – see here where to eat the best pizza in Rome
- Panettone: originating from Milan, this is Italy’s most characteristic Christmas sweet
- Pandoro: Panettone’s big “rival” – the country is divided between those who love one more than the other! Try both and choose a side to enjoy a true Italian food experience
- Panforte: another beloved Christmas sweet with fruits and nuts
- Ricciarelli: chewy Italian almond cookies, especially popular at Christmas
And if you want gelato? You still can! While winter suggests slightly less gelato consumption than summer, gelato is offered year-round and you won’t stand out if you order some!
16. Visit an Exhibition
Rome always has many exhibitions running year-round, and December is a wonderful time to visit museums.
December in Rome with Kids
December in Rome with children can be fun, but only if you come during Christmas (or immediately before), when the holiday spirit compensates for the limited choice of indoor activities.
Here are several things that can be done in Rome during December that are suitable for children:
1. Take a pizza-making class – a fun and practical activity that will keep you indoors, entertain you, and feed you well. We participated in one with our children on a cold winter day and it was great fun.
2. Go to Explora – Explora is Rome’s children’s museum and is a wonderful place to explore with kids. During December this is an extremely convenient place you should know about for rainy days or anytime the weather doesn’t seem suitable for extended hours in the park.
3. Take a mosaic-making class – a great class I attended with my daughter taught us how to make mosaics in a beautiful and extremely creative environment. You can read all about our experience here.
4. Visit a kid-friendly museum – while Rome has only one museum designed exclusively for children, the city also has several art museums that are suitable for kids. You can find a selection of those we like most as a family here.
5. Look for Nativity scenes – Italy has a strong tradition of Nativity scenes and Rome offers several indoor and outdoor installations throughout the city. The most impressive is the one in front of the Vatican, but there are many others in different parts of the city.
6. **Check out Christmas trees** – Christmas trees appear in Rome in early December, and the process can be fun for children (I know my little one was fascinated by the big machines that erected the trees!).
The most beautiful tree is the one in St. Peter’s Square, but you’ll find decorated trees in Piazza Venezia, near the Colosseum, and in other squares in Rome.
Not all Christmas trees are equally good, however.
A few years ago in Piazza Venezia there was a tree that looked so miserable that Romans called it “spelacchio” (the scraggly one)!
If you’re used to magnificent Christmas trees at home, these might seem disappointing, but they still contribute to the festive atmosphere in the city.
7. Ice skating – during Christmas, a beautiful ice rink appears in Rome – it’s not particularly large, but beautiful, especially later in the afternoon when lights sparkle over its special structure. This is definitely a wonderful Christmas activity in Rome for children!
Where to Stay in Rome
Rome has hotels for every tourist, regardless of budget. Below you’ll find links to hotels near the most famous attractions in Italy’s capital. Why these specific hotels? Because your time in Rome is limited and you don’t want to spend it traveling just because you’re staying far from the Pantheon or Spanish Steps.
- Hotels with Michelin-Starred Restaurants
- Boutique Hotels
- Hotels in the Historic Center
- Small Luxury Hotels
- Hotels Near Termini Station
- Hotels Near Aventine Hill
- Hotels Near Via del Corso
- Hotels Near the Pantheon
- Hotels Near the Colosseum
- Hotels Near Via Veneto
- Private Villas in Rome
- Hotels Near Fiumicino Airport
- Hotels with Swimming Pools
- Hotels Near the Spanish Steps
- Hotels Near the Vatican
- Hotels in Trastevere
- Hotels Near Campo de’ Fiori
- Hotels Near Piazza Navona
- Hotels Near the Trevi Fountain
I hope you’ve enjoyed this overview of events and things to do in Rome during December.