{"id":25827,"date":"2026-08-06T18:56:25","date_gmt":"2026-08-06T17:56:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/?p=25827"},"modified":"2026-08-06T18:56:25","modified_gmt":"2026-08-06T17:56:25","slug":"christmas-in-rome","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/christmas-in-rome","title":{"rendered":"Christmas in Rome: What to See, Do, and Eat During the Holidays"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As the sun dips behind St Peter\u2019s Basilica, lights start twinkling above the city, and the sound of church bells drifts across the cobbled streets.\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is Christmas in Rome, and it\u2019s every bit as magical as it sounds. With fewer crowds, mild weather, and a particularly holy atmosphere, it makes an ideal end-of-year getaway.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re visiting Rome this holiday season, here&#8217;s everything you should know: from Midnight Mass to mulled wine, and everything in between.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_13689\" style=\"width: 1610px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13689\" class=\"wp-image-13689 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/christmas-decorations-on-trentino-alto-adige-PH3WC5L.jpg\" alt=\"A market ifor Christmas in Rome, with colourful decorations hanging off a branch next to a real christmas tree and shoppers in the background\" width=\"1600\" height=\"1067\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/christmas-decorations-on-trentino-alto-adige-PH3WC5L.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/christmas-decorations-on-trentino-alto-adige-PH3WC5L-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/christmas-decorations-on-trentino-alto-adige-PH3WC5L-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-13689\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Get into the holiday spirit with a visit to Rome this Christmas<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_80 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/christmas-in-rome\/#Whats_Rome_Like_at_Christmas\" >What\u2019s Rome Like at Christmas?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/christmas-in-rome\/#What_to_Do_in_Rome_at_Christmas\" >What to Do in Rome at Christmas\u00a0<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/christmas-in-rome\/#Visit_the_Vatican\" >Visit the Vatican<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/christmas-in-rome\/#Attend_Midnight_Mass_where_the_tradition_started\" >Attend Midnight Mass where the tradition started\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/christmas-in-rome\/#Go_Sightseeing\" >Go Sightseeing<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/christmas-in-rome\/#Go_Shopping_at_a_Christmas_Market\" >Go Shopping at a Christmas Market<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/christmas-in-rome\/#Soak_in_the_Festive_Atmosphere\" >Soak in the Festive Atmosphere<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/christmas-in-rome\/#Attend_a_Christmas_Concert\" >Attend a Christmas Concert<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/christmas-in-rome\/#Eat_Like_a_Roman\" >Eat Like a Roman<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/christmas-in-rome\/#Go_Ice_Skating\" >Go Ice Skating<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/christmas-in-rome\/#FAQs_%E2%80%93_Christmas_in_Rome\" >FAQs &#8211; Christmas in Rome<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/christmas-in-rome\/#Is_Rome_good_to_visit_during_Christmas\" >Is Rome good to visit during Christmas?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/christmas-in-rome\/#How_cold_is_Rome_at_Christmas\" >How cold is Rome at Christmas?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/christmas-in-rome\/#What_should_I_pack_for_Rome_at_Christmas\" >What should I pack for Rome at Christmas?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/christmas-in-rome\/#Are_things_open_in_Rome_at_Christmas\" >Are things open in Rome at Christmas?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/christmas-in-rome\/#Where_to_celebrate_Christmas_in_Rome\" >Where to celebrate Christmas in Rome?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/christmas-in-rome\/#What_can_I_do_in_Rome_on_Christmas_Day\" >What can I do in Rome on Christmas Day?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/christmas-in-rome\/#What_dates_are_the_holiday_season_in_Rome\" >What dates are the holiday season in Rome?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Whats_Rome_Like_at_Christmas\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What\u2019s Rome Like at Christmas?<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Summer might be Rome&#8217;s busiest season, but there\u2019s a strong case for visiting in December. While summer means dodging crowds in 35\u00b0C heat, Christmas gives you walkable weather, shorter lines at major sights, and better hotel rates.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All of this, plus a city that embraces the spirit of the season. As the seat of the Catholic church, Rome has drawn Christmas pilgrims for centuries, and the crowds filling St. Peter&#8217;s Square form part of a tradition that\u2019s older than the Basilica itself.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The first half of December still carries some of that shoulder-season magic: the same quieter, better-value travel we love about<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/6-reasons-why-fall-is-the-best-time-to-visit-rome\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">visiting Rome in the fall<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. From December 23rd, more visitors arrive, hoping to get a glimpse of the Pope or just soak in the religious significance of the season.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rome\u2019s climate in December is mild but crisp, with daytime temperatures around 12\u00b0C to 15\u00b0C (53\u00b0F to 59\u00b0F), dropping to 3\u00b0C to 6\u00b0C (37\u00b0F to 43\u00b0F) at night. Rain is common, with around eight to ten rainy days throughout the month.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_17265\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-17265\" class=\"wp-image-17265 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/gabriella-clare-marino-VZqJp73BsZw-unsplash.jpg\" alt=\"rome at christmas\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-17265\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Even the rain cannot dampen the festive feeling if you visit Rome at Christmastime<\/p><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_to_Do_in_Rome_at_Christmas\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What to Do in Rome at Christmas\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There\u2019s no shortage of ways to fill your days (and nights) in Rome during the festive season. Here are some ideas on where to start.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Visit_the_Vatican\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Visit the Vatican<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are plenty of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/things-to-do-vatican-city\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">things to do in the Vatican City<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> at Christmas, like seeing the Nativity scene (<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">presepe<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) and Christmas tree in St. Peter\u2019s Square. If you\u2019re Catholic, you can attend Mass (including Midnight Mass) at St. Peter\u2019s Basilica. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Entry is free, but you must submit an <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.papalaudience.org\/easter-christmas-tickets\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">attendance form<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to the Prefecture of the Papal Household.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_12184\" style=\"width: 2058px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-12184\" class=\"wp-image-12184 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Basilica-Vatican-City-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1367\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Basilica-Vatican-City-scaled.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Basilica-Vatican-City-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Basilica-Vatican-City-1536x1025.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-12184\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">St. Peter&#8217;s Basilica in Vatican City<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hoping to attend? Put these dates in your diary:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Midnight Mass<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> at 10 p.m., December 24th\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Christmas Day Mass<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> at 10 a.m., December 25th<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God Mass<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> at 10 a.m., January 1st\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not Catholic, but still want to take part in the celebrations? The Pope\u2019s two Papal blessings in St. Peter\u2019s Square are open to all. These events are free, but arrive well in advance if you want to get a good spot.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Urbi et Orbi blessing <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">December 25 12 p.m.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Angelus Blessing and World Day of Peace address <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">January 1st 12 p.m.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Of course, you can\u2019t come all the way to Rome without <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/attractions\/the-vatican-museums\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">visiting the Vatican Museums<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This seven-kilometre gallery houses over 20,000 artworks, including the Sistine Chapel and its famous ceiling.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Insider Tip:<\/strong> Note that the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vatican Museums are closed<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on December 8th, 25th, and 26th, as well as January 1st and 6th.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<div id=\"attachment_13093\" style=\"width: 2010px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13093\" class=\"wp-image-13093 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/The-Vatican-Museums-on-the-Pristine-Sistine-with-Walks-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/The-Vatican-Museums-on-the-Pristine-Sistine-with-Walks-1.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/The-Vatican-Museums-on-the-Pristine-Sistine-with-Walks-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/The-Vatican-Museums-on-the-Pristine-Sistine-with-Walks-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-13093\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">In a collection this size, it&#8217;s easy to miss what you came to see &#8211; a Vatican Museum guided tour makes sure you don\u2019t!<\/p><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Attend_Midnight_Mass_where_the_tradition_started\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Attend Midnight Mass where the tradition started\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The tradition of Midnight Mass began at Santa Maria Maggiore, and it\u2019s still one of the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/art-culture\/the-most-jaw-dropping-churches-in-rome-that-arent-called-st-peters-a-pilgrimage-to-rome-guide\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">best churches in Rome<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to celebrate Christmas. As it\u2019s less popular than the St. Peter\u2019s Mass, tickets are also easier to get: all you have to do is <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basilicasantamariamaggiore.va\/en\/vita-liturgica\/prenotazione-santa-messa.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">submit the form on the website<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_15432\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-15432\" class=\"wp-image-15432 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/The-Basilica-di-Santa-Maria-Maggiore.jpg\" alt=\"The Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore\" width=\"1024\" height=\"638\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-15432\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore<\/p><\/div>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Insider Tip:<\/strong> If Christmas-themed relics are your thing, head to Santa Maria Maggiore, where you can see five wooden planks said to be from the original manger used for baby Jesus.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Go_Sightseeing\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Go Sightseeing<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Beyond the Vatican, sites like the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/rome-tours\/roman-colosseum-tours\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, stay open right through the holidays, closing only on December 25th and January 1st.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Colosseum is impressive to look at, and the best time to visit is about an hour before the sun goes down (around 4.30 p.m. in December), when the light hits the stones just right.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Taking a tour with an expert local guide is well worth it, as it really comes alive when someone explains the engineering and how the games actually worked. <\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_15066\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-15066\" class=\"wp-image-15066 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Colosseum-e1732514707992.jpg\" alt=\"The Colosseum in Rome.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-15066\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Colosseum in Rome is a wonder to see and explore, all year round!<\/p><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Go_Shopping_at_a_Christmas_Market\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Go Shopping at a Christmas Market<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The main Christmas market in Rome is the <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mercatino della Befana<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in Piazza Navona, named after Italy\u2019s legendary witch who gives candies to good children on Epiphany Eve (January 5th). <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here, you\u2019ll find over 50 stalls selling traditional wooden toys, decorations, Nativity figures, and artisanal goods.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s open every day from December 1st to January 6th, when La Befana \u201cflies\u201d into the square and hands out candies.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_21696\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-21696\" class=\"wp-image-21696 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/who-is-la-befana.jpg\" alt=\"A woman dressed up as the Italian witch called La Befana.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/who-is-la-befana.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/who-is-la-befana-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-21696\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">La Befana, <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Italy\u2019s legendary witch who appears on the eve of the Epiphany<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Insider Tip<\/strong>: If you want to get the full story behind the festive traditions and learn how a Roman Christmas is celebrated, a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/rome-tours\/welcome-rome-walking-tours\/\">guided walking tour<\/a> can bring the stories to life in a way a guidebook can&#8217;t.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Soak_in_the_Festive_Atmosphere\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Soak in the Festive Atmosphere<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rome is known for its golden-hour glow, but at Christmas time, it gets a little extra sparkle. Don\u00b4t forget to look up to enjoy strings of lights crisscrossing overhead, or head to the Spanish Steps to see the 12-metre Christmas tree.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nativity scenes are dotted around the city, including an annual exhibition in Piazza del Popolo featuring over 100 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">presepi<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_23096\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-23096\" class=\"wp-image-23096 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/nativity-scene-1.jpg\" alt=\"A small nativity scene with several figures peering at baby Jesus in a cave.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"912\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/nativity-scene-1.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/nativity-scene-1-768x584.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-23096\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Presepi &#8211; nativity scenes and figures &#8211; feature heavily around the city, and across Italy during the holiday season<\/p><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Attend_a_Christmas_Concert\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Attend a Christmas Concert<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prefer your Christmas spirit set to music? Rome offers a range of Christmas concerts to suit every taste, from grand and orchestral to intimate and candlelit.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For the grandest offering, head to the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.auditorium.com\/it\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Auditorium Parco della Musica Ennio Morricone<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, where Natale all&#8217;Auditorium runs a series of concerts, theatre, and dance shows from early December through early January.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you prefer church concerts, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.operaroma.it\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Teatro dell&#8217;Opera di Roma<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> hosts a free Christmas Gala across several of the city&#8217;s churches, giving you a chance to hear beautiful music in equally beautiful settings.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_22004\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22004\" class=\"wp-image-22004 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/Chestnuts.jpg\" alt=\"A pan of roasted chestnuts being sold by a street vendor.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"900\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/Chestnuts.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/Chestnuts-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-22004\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">In the winter, the aroma of roasted chestnuts being sold at little street stalls fills the air<\/p><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Eat_Like_a_Roman\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eat Like a Roman<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/food-and-wine\/christmas-and-winter-food-traditions-rome\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Christmas food traditions in Rome<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> do not disappoint. From <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">trapizzini<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, (a cross between a pizza and a sandwich) to <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">caldarroste<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (roasted chestnuts) there\u2019s something delicious waiting around every Insta-worthy street corner.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Looking for a cozy warming drink? Try <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">cioccolato caldo<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Rome\u2019s version of hot chocolate, or a <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">vin brul\u00e9<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Italy\u2019s answer to mulled wine. Need a sugar hit? Look out for <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">panettone<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pandoro<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pangiallo<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on every bakery counter.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_20981\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20981\" class=\"wp-image-20981 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/1st-paragraph-.jpg\" alt=\"Several wrapped Italian Christmas breads at an Italian market.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/1st-paragraph-.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/1st-paragraph--768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-20981\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A range of delicious Christmas breads can be bought in bakeries or at the markets &#8211; the perfect gift!<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re lucky enough to be invited into a Roman home for the holidays, expect seafood on Christmas Eve and lamb on Christmas Day.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&#8217;d rather eat out, some restaurants close around the holidays, while others serve special festive menus.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong>No Roman <i>nonna<\/i><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong> to cook for you?<\/strong> A <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/rome-tours\/trastevere-food-tour\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">food tour<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/rome-tours\/rome-cooking-class\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">cooking class<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is the next best way to taste typical Christmas dishes and learn the stories behind them.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<div id=\"attachment_22736\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22736\" class=\"wp-image-22736 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/suppli.jpg\" alt=\"A woman smiles as she's pulls out a golden suppli from a paper bag.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/suppli.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/suppli-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-22736\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Taste suppli, a traditional treat, as you meander the streets on a food tour<\/p><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Go_Ice_Skating\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Go Ice Skating<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The most scenic ice rink in Rome is at Piazza Adriana, at the foot of Castel Sant&#8217;Angelo. Surrounded by a Christmas market, it runs from late November through to early February.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&#8217;d rather skip the crowds, head to Piazza Cavour. It&#8217;s more of a local spot than a tourist one, and the ice rink here is smaller, making for a more low-key skate. Open from early December to early January.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_12130\" style=\"width: 1360px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-12130\" class=\"wp-image-12130 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Colosseum-Rome-in-Winter.jpg\" alt=\"A sprinkling of snow covering the ground and the arches of the outside wall of the colosseum in Rome.\" width=\"1350\" height=\"900\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Colosseum-Rome-in-Winter.jpg 1350w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Colosseum-Rome-in-Winter-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1350px) 100vw, 1350px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-12130\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">You might even get lucky, and experience a white Christmas while you are there!<\/p><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FAQs_%E2%80%93_Christmas_in_Rome\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FAQs &#8211; Christmas in Rome<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_Rome_good_to_visit_during_Christmas\"><\/span>Is Rome good to visit during Christmas?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Absolutely. You&#8217;ll get mild weather, fewer crowds, and a uniquely festive atmosphere. Just expect it to get busier from December 23rd onward.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_cold_is_Rome_at_Christmas\"><\/span>How cold is Rome at Christmas?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rome stays relatively mild for European winter standards. Rain is common, but so are crisp, sunny days.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_should_I_pack_for_Rome_at_Christmas\"><\/span>What should I pack for Rome at Christmas?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Layers are your best friend. Think: a warm coat, scarf, and comfortable waterproof shoes. Pack an umbrella, but also sunglasses.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_things_open_in_Rome_at_Christmas\"><\/span>Are things open in Rome at Christmas?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most attractions and restaurants stay open throughout December, with the main exceptions being Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year&#8217;s Day, and Epiphany.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Where_to_celebrate_Christmas_in_Rome\"><\/span>Where to celebrate Christmas in Rome?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Head to St. Peter&#8217;s Square for the Vatican&#8217;s celebrations, Santa Maria Maggiore for Midnight Mass, Piazza Navona for the Christmas market, and Via del Corso or the Spanish Steps for the lights.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_can_I_do_in_Rome_on_Christmas_Day\"><\/span>What can I do in Rome on Christmas Day?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Attend the Pope&#8217;s Urbi et Orbi blessing in St. Peter&#8217;s Square, take a peaceful walk through the quieter streets, or book a table at one of the restaurants serving a festive Christmas menu.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_dates_are_the_holiday_season_in_Rome\"><\/span>What dates are the holiday season in Rome?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rome\u2019s Christmas season officially runs from December 8th (the Feast of the Immaculate Conception) to January 6th (Epiphany, or La Befana). The main closures happen on December 25th, 26th, and January 1st and 6th.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_7442\" style=\"width: 1189px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7442\" class=\"wp-image-7442 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/IMG_8276_small.jpg\" alt=\"Nero's Bath, The Vatican Museums\" width=\"1179\" height=\"786\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/IMG_8276_small.jpg 1179w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/IMG_8276_small-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1179px) 100vw, 1179px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-7442\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Museums and archelogical sites are quieter during in the winter months, so it is the perfect time to visit!<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>Make the Most of Christmas in Rome<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rome has all the right ingredients for a fantastic festive getaway. But with centuries of tradition packed into a single season, it&#8217;s easy to miss the meaning behind it all if you&#8217;re doing it alone.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/rome-tours\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">guided tour<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> does more than skip the lines and take the stress out of bookings and holiday closing hours (though it does that too). The right guide brings history to life, turning a walk past a church into a <\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As the sun dips behind St Peter\u2019s Basilica, lights start twinkling above the city, and the sound of church bells drifts across the cobbled streets.\u00a0This is Christmas in Rome, and it\u2019s every bit as magical as it sounds. With fewer crowds, mild weather, and a particularly holy atmosphere, it makes an ideal end-of-year getaway.\u00a0 If [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":14801,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[222,341,320,321],"ppma_author":[155,340],"class_list":["post-25827","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-things-to-do","tag-christmas-traditions","tag-concerts","tag-food-and-drink","tag-religious-activities"],"authors":[{"term_id":155,"user_id":3,"is_guest":0,"slug":"walksofitaly","display_name":"Walks of Italy","avatar_url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/9f4cd4dd0c5ab4b4bae57f3500298e23?s=96&d=mm&r=g","user_url":"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog","last_name":"of Italy","first_name":"Walks","job_title":"","description":"Walks began life as the passion project of two guys with one simple mission: To share their love for, and knowledge of, the city of Rome. Since then, Walks has grown into a team of over 100 ground staff and at any time up to 600 guides, operating across 13 of the world\u2019s most exciting cities (and counting!)\r\n\r\nToday we provide some of the most exclusive and beautifully designed small group tours in the industry through Italy-based Walks of Italy and around the world at Walks, where we offer special access to some of the world\u2019s most iconic landmarks and attractions as well as unique cultural experiences."},{"term_id":340,"user_id":106,"is_guest":0,"slug":"victoriapy","display_name":"Victoria Peel-Yates","avatar_url":{"url":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/victoria-peel-yates-e1784717734670.jpeg","url2x":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/victoria-peel-yates-e1784717734670.jpeg"},"user_url":"","last_name":"Peel-Yates","first_name":"Victoria","job_title":"Travel Writer","description":"Victoria is a freelance writer and SEO strategist who\u2019s lived in some of Europe\u2019s most iconic cities, including Barcelona, Rome, and Brussels. When she\u2019s not chasing stories for her destination website, Secret Piemonte, you\u2019ll find her looking for the best fish and chips back home in south-west England."}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25827"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25827"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25827\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25828,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25827\/revisions\/25828"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14801"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25827"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=25827"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=25827"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=25827"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}