I hate crowds and I hate high prices even more. Yet, I LOVE Christmas in Rome. There is just something so magical about seeing the Vatican bathed in the vibrant glow of beautiful Christmas lights.
Makes it almost worth completely bleeding my bank account dry (LOL).
I also love playing games and riding the carousel at the Piazza Navona Christmas market as I munch on treats like pangiallo (yellow bread), torrone (nut-filled nougat), and panettone (cake-filled candied fruit).
I then wash it all down with some bombardino (Italian eggnog) and really get into the Christmas spirit.
Yes, it will be crowded and unlike the rest of December in Rome, Christmas is very much NOT off-season.
Just mentally prepare yourself for high prices and heaps of tourists and you should be just fine.
I would also pre-book everything. This way you’ll be able to enjoy all of the best things to do in Rome during Christmas without having to wait five hours in line for tickets to the Vatican Museum.
Been there, done that and it really sucked.
But, if you need even more awesome advice on how to spend Christmas in Rome then this guide is for you.
I’ll give you the inside scoop on what to eat in Rome on Christmas, what to do in Rome on Christmas, what to wear in Rome for Christmas, and more.
After all, I first started visiting Rome at Christmas in 2018. I loved it SOO much that I have been coming back ever since.
Therefore, I have celebrated Christmas in Rome many times. Now I want to share my expert advice with you so that you can have the most magical trip ever.
Since I’m incapable of making it rain money, there’s a high chance that this post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure for more information. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.
Is Christmas a Good Time to Visit Rome?
Christmas is a great time to visit Rome since there are tons of things to do in Rome for Catholics and even people who aren’t super religious.
Yes, prices will be high and the streets will be filled with tourists. Therefore, be sure to pre-book everything to avoid long lines.
However, if you do this you will have an amazing time marveling at Christmas decorations, enjoying special Christmas shows, and exploring vibrant Christmas markets.
But, one of my all-time favorite things about Rome at Christmas is that you can attend events you won’t find anywhere else in the world.
I mean, where else can you attend Midnight Mass with the Pope? Nowhere, that’s where.
So, if you enjoy ticking once-in-a-lifetime experiences of your bucket list then Rome is a great place to spend Christmas in Europe.
Afterward, try heading to Tuscany and driving through Tuscany during a rad 10-day Tuscany road trip.
What is Christmas in Rome Like?
The week before Christmas typically means fewer tourists in Rome since most locals head home to be with their families.
So, the city has a surprisingly quiet feel to it. Additionally, December 25th and December 26th are both national holidays.
Therefore, many attractions in the city will be closed and this may not be the best time to plan a one day in Rome itinerary.
My best advice is to do your research and plan ahead. This way you know what attractions are open on what days and when to schedule cool half-day tours of Rome.
For example, the Colosseum is closed on December 25th while the Vatican Museum is closed on December 25th and December 26th.
Therefore, you may want to spend Christmas day looking at Christmas lights, attending mass, or visiting attractions that are always open, like the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps.
It’s a great day to enjoy the ambiance of the city, which includes dazzling Christmas trees in local piazzas, vibrant Christmas markets, and beautiful nativity scenes, or presepe, all across the city.
Additionally, most stores close early on Christmas Eve. As a result, the only things you’ll find open on Christmas Day are restaurants and movie theaters.
Once the holiday ends, the city gets increasingly busier from December 26th through New Year’s.
This is because many people spend Christmas with their family and then return to Rome for fun, New Year’s celebrations.
As a result, there are fewer visitors on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day compared to the days after the holiday.
Additionally, the weather is probably milder than you’d expect. So, you could wear just a warm sweater during the day and then a winter coat in the evening.
Best Things to Do in Rome for Christmas
There are a ton of cool things to do in Rome for Christmas. Here are a list of some of my favorite activities that will help you get into the holiday spirit.
Running from December 1st through January 6th, this lively Christmas market showcases festive nativity scenes, stunning decorations, fun carnival games, and a carousel.
So, go shopping for some cool Christmas ornaments before indulging in delicious, seasonal treats like sugared apples, roasted chestnuts, licorice, torrone, and porchetta.
TBH, this is my favorite Christmas market in the city and is a great place to go shopping for homemade gifts. In recent years the market hasn’t had as many vendors but it’s still nice.
However, some other Christmas markets in Rome you may want to check out include the one at Piazza Mazzini, the one at the Borghese Gardens, and the one at Campo de Fiori.
Expert Tip: If you want to go to a more local Christmas market then head to the Mercato Monti. You could also visit Wave Market at Lanificio for vintage jewelry, accessories, clothes, and fun home decor.
2. See the Nutcracker
This is one of my all-time favorite things to do for Christmas in NYC. My family and I used to see the Nutcracker every year and this is a tradition I continued when I was in Rome.
I went to a performance held at the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma and was blown away by the talent of the dancers and by the unique Italian spin they put on this iconic tale of Clara and her Nutcracker.
Typically, performances are held from December 20th through December 31st and I highly recommend getting tickets as soon as they become available. This way you can get a great seat.
3. Enjoy the Christmas Lights
Each year Rome is bedazzled with a mesmerizing array of Christmas lights that enchant locals and visitors alike.
To enjoy these incredible lights, visit the city any time after the Immaculate Conception (December 8th) since this is when the city’s Christmas lights go up.
During your visit, enjoy breathtaking displays at Piazza di Spagna, Piazza Venezia, Via del Corso, Via dei Coronari, St. Peter’s Square, and Galleria Alberto Sordi.
The decorations at St. Peter’s Square are my fave though. That’s because a HUGE Christmas tree/nativity scene sits right in front of St. Peter’s Basliica and is incredible to see lit up in the evening.
I like to stop by the square just before sunset so that I can watch the lights come to life once the sun goes down.
Another one of the best things to do during Christmas in Rome is to go on a self-guided Christmas lights tour.
You can start at Piazza Venezia (the Christmas tree is awesome), walk down Via del Corso, and then stop at the Piazza del Popolo to enjoy the Christmas market there.
But if you need more tips, just ask your Rome hostel for help.
4. Attend a Christmas Concert
If you love classical music then you’re in for a real treat this Christmas in Rome. That’s because almost every church in Rome is filled with choirs and orchestras performing beautiful holiday music.
If you’re not sure what shows to attend, then you can’t go wrong with a show at Chiesa di Sant’Antonio dei Portoghesi, Santa Maria ai Monti, or Sant’Ignazio.
These gorgeous churches feature incredible shows that are some of the best of the season.
I also like attending performances because you can enjoy a show and see an amazing show at the same time – talk about saving money in Rome.
5. Enjoy Midnight Mass with the Pope
For a truly unique experience in Rome, attend midnight mass with the Pope at St. Peter’s Basilica.
The first time I visited Rome alone, I tried to go but ended up sleeping through the service. Talk about a travel fail.
Anyway, the good news is that tickets for this event were, and still are, free. But, due to the high demand, you’ll need to book them well in advance, typically between 2 to 6 months ahead of time.
It’s important to note that the mass starts at 9:15 pm, not midnight. So, be sure to arrive on time and enjoy this mass with 15,000 other people from around the world.
I have since gone back and attended the mass. I loved the vivacious, almost concert-like atmosphere that permeates throughout the air.
It’s beautiful because this event is more about unity than anything else. As a result, people from all different faiths are welcome to attend the mass.
6. Watch the Pope’s Speech on Christmas Day
If you couldn’t manage to get a ticket to Midnight Mess then consider attending the Pope’s Christmas Day speech instead.
This is a magical event, locally referred to as the “Urbi et Orbi”, that is only held two times a year – once on Christmas and once on Easter.
It is when the Pope offers blessings and delivers an address to the public, usually at 12:00 pm on Christmas Day.
The speech takes place at the Vatican, and lasts anywhere between 15 and 20 minutes. While no tickets are necessary, it’s best to arrive about half an hour early so that you can go through security.
The festive atmosphere, complemented by singing and Christmas carols, makes this a truly special event.
Expert Tip: If you want to escape the crowds then head to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore instead. It’s one of the oldest churches in Rome and is a great place to go.
7. Enjoy the Nativity Scenes (Presepe)
One of the coolest things about celebrating Christmas in Italy is the Presepe.
Essentially, a Presepe is a nativity scene that can be found in just about every home, church, and piazza in Italy during the Christmas season.
Typically, a Presepe features figures of Mary, Joseph, Jesus, the wise men, and animals during the birth of Jesus. However, Jesus is only added to the scene after his “birth” on the evening of December 24th.
Some great places to see these Italian nativity scenes include St. Peter’s Square, the Church of Santa Maria in Ara Coeli, the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, and the Basilica of Saints Cosmas and Damian.
8. Go Ice Skating
If you’re looking for a fun and festive Christmas activity then go ice skating in Rome.
Just bundle up, grab a pair of skates, and take advantage of one of the many rinks that pop up around the city at this time of year.
It’s an all-around fun and festive activity that is sure to warm you up. Great places to go skating are Castel Sant’Angelo, Auditorium Parco della Musica, Piazzale Ankar, and Galleria Porta di Roma.
Heck, there is even a really cool ice skating rink at Zoomarine that is a great place to go if you want to visit the zoo too.
9. Try Some Delicious Food
Many places in Rome have special holiday menus that allow you to sample a unique variety of classic Christmas dishes.
Because contrary to popular belief, many restaurants in Rome are actually on Christmas. So, when dining out Christmas Eve, dig into a wide array of delicious fish dishes.
Then, on Christmas Day, indulge in tortellini soup followed by a generous portion of meat. Pair this with everybody’s seasonal favorite, broccolini, and you’ll enjoy a classic holiday meal.
Another epic food to try is puntarelle. This chicory-based dish is kind of like a salad that is dressed with olive oil, vinegar, and anchovies.
It is only available seasonally and is a must-try during Christmas in Rome.
Finally, dig into a rich and flavorful Panettone for dessert. It is soft and round and better than any American fruitcake that I have ever had.
Expert Tip: If you’re not sure where to go for Christmas lunch/dinner in Rome then try Life (high-end tasting menu), La Gensola (Sicilian seafood restaurant in Trastevere), and Il Margutta (great vegetarian restaurant).
10. Visit Christmas World at Villa Borghese
Open from December 1st through January 7th, Christmas World at Villa Borghese is a true delight since you’ll go on a virtual journey to some of the coolest (pun intended) Christmas destinations in the world.
Held at, you guessed it, Villa Borghese, Christmas World is an open-air event with eight unique exhibits depicting iconic Christmas cities.
Spanning an astounding 60,000 square meters, each city exhibit includes displays of local food and folklore, as well as performances of six original songs.
Other highlights include gospel shows, an 800-square-meter ice-skating rink, a life-sized Nativity scene, gospel concerts, and so much more.
Expert Tip: Another great Christmas event in Rome is the Trame di Luci at The Botanical Garden.
This event is held in Rome from November 16th through January 6th and you’ll be able to walk through natural pathways that blend the beauty of nature with light and music.
Tips for Visiting Rome at Christmas
Unlike the rest of winter in Rome, Christmas is high-season. Therefore, use these tips to plan the perfect 2 days in Rome over Christmas.
- Wear Warm Layers – Rome isn’t the coldest city in Europe – far from it. But, once the end of December rolls around, temperatures can get chilly at night. So, pack a hat, gloves, scarf, and warm coat just in case. FYI, it can be warm enough during the day for you to walk around in just a fleece or a sweater.
- Pre-book Everything Months in Advance – I CANNOT emphasize this enough. Christmas is HIGH season. So, the city will be filled with people. Therefore, you’ll want to book your hotels and make restaurant reservations well in advance.
- December 24th through January 5th is HIGH Season in Rome – If you plan to stay in Rome after Christmas then it’s worth mentioning that Rome receives the same number of visitors at this time of year as it does in summer. So, please plan accordingly.
- Book Hotels at Least 3 Months in Advance – If you want to stay at a hotel with a view of the Colosseum or just have specific needs then please book your hotel in Rome as far in advance as possible. Rooms fill up fast and you do not want to be disappointed. Also, expect to pay summer prices for rooms.
What to Wear During Christmas in Rome
At the end of December, temperatures tend to reach an average high of 12°C (54°F) in the afternoon and an average low of 4°C (39°F) in the evening and early morning.
The last time I was in Rome for Christmas I got a little cold, especially during one of the night tours through Rome.
So, I was super happy that I brought a hat, gloves, a warm winter coat, and warm waterproof boots.
However, depending on where you live and what temperatures you are used to, you could probably walk around the city during the day in a heavy sweatshirt, fleece, or sweater.
I found it really helpful to pack lots of layers. This way I could take off my clothes when temperatures warmed up in the afternoon and bundle up when things cooled down in the evening.
I also recommend carrying a theft-proof backpack (I love Pacsafe) since Rome is notorious for highly skilled pickpockets who are adept at separating you from your money.
Conclusion
Overall, Christmas is an amazing time to visit Rome. TBH, everyone should spend Christmas in Rome at least once in their life since it’s a truly unforgettable experience.
The key to having a good time is to know what to expect. Plan for large crowds and pre-book hotels, tours, and tables at restaurants well in advance.
I would also do a bit of research and plan an itinerary based on what is and is not open on the 24th, 25th, and 26th of December. Do this and you will have an amazing time in the Eternal City.
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