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Your ultimate New Year guide to Rome

There’s no better place to ring in the New Year than Rome, where centuries-old piazzas turn into open-air parties, ancient ruins sparkle under fireworks, and music fills the night sky.

Top 6 Things to do in Rome on New Year's Eve

1. Celebrate at Piazza del Popolo

Rome’s largest square hosts live concerts, DJs, and fireworks until midnight. Arrive by 9 pm to find space near the main stage.

2. Watch fireworks at Castel Sant’Angelo

Welcome the New Year against one of Rome’s most iconic backdrops. Fireworks here start at midnight, best viewed from Ponte Sant’Angelo or along the Tiber. Expect heavy crowds from 11 pm onward.

3. Enjoy a New Year’s concert at Parco della Musica

Start the year on a high note with Rome’s best festive performances. New Year concerts run from December 31 to January 1, featuring classical and jazz performances.

4. Attend the Pope’s New Year Mass

Begin the year with peace and reflection at the Vatican. The Pope’s New Year Mass starts at 10 am in St. Peter’s Basilica. Entry is free with a ticket from the Prefecture of the Papal Household. To avoid long lines, book a reserved-access ticket with fast-track entry.

Recommended ticket: St. Peter's Basilica Reserved Entry Tickets with Dome Access

5. Celebrate like the locals at Trastevere

For a relaxed New Year’s Eve, stay in Trastevere. Locals fill the streets with music and warmth, and most trattorias serve the traditional Silvestro dinner of lentils, carrots, and cotechino sausage.

6. Take a New Year’s Day stroll through ancient Rome

Step into history as the city wakes up to a quiet New Year’s morning. The Colosseum and Forum reopen on January 1 around 9 am. Expect fewer crowds and shorter lines than usual.

Recommended ticket: Colosseum, Palatine Hill & Roman Forum Access

Your perfect New Year itinerary in Rome

December 31 – The countdown day

Morning (9am – 12:30pm)

  • Start your day Roman-style with a cappuccino and cornetto at a local café near the Vatican before visiting St. Peter’s Basilica (usually open 7am to 6pm, though it may close earlier for papal events).
  • If you wish to explore the Vatican Museums, go early. They typically open 9am to 4pm (last entry around 2pm) and close entirely on January 1. Pre-book your Vatican tickets in advance and plan for extra security checks before noon.

Afternoon (1pm – 5pm)

  • Head across the Tiber to Trastevere for lunch at a trattoria. Most restaurants remain open on New Year’s Eve but may close by 5pm to prepare for gala dinners.
  • Post-lunch, stroll to Piazza Navona, where the Christmas market and street performers bring the square to life until early evening (stalls generally wrap up around 7pm).

Evening (7pm – after midnight)

  • Make your way to Piazza del Popolo or Circus Maximus by 9pm for the city’s biggest open-air celebrations. Expect live music, fireworks, and countdowns to midnight.
  • If you prefer a calmer evening, reserve a rooftop dinner with views of St. Peter’s or the Colosseum. Restaurants hosting cenone di Capodanno (New Year’s Eve dinner) often begin seating from 8pm.

Note: Most museums and monuments close by 4pm on December 31, so plan your sightseeing before that.

Recommended ticket

​Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Skip-the-Line Tickets

​Colosseum, Palatine Hill & Roman Forum Access

January 1 – A serene start to the year

Morning (10am – 12:30pm)

  • Sleep in, then take a refreshing walk through Villa Borghese or climb the Spanish Steps. These public spaces remain open, though cafés and shops may open only after 11am.
  • Churches like St. Peter’s Basilica hosts the New Year Mass, so expect large crowds and possible restricted access until after 12pm.

Afternoon (1pm – 5pm)

  • Begin your year among Rome’s ruins. The Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Capitoline Hill usually reopen around 2pm on January 1, after being closed in the morning.

Evening (6pm onwards)

  • As the festive crowds thin, unwind with dinner at a traditional trattoria in Monti or Trastevere.
  • Try cotechino e lenticchie, the traditional New Year dish of sausage and lentils that symbolizes prosperity for the year ahead. Many restaurants reopen for dinner service from 6:30pm onward.

Recommended ticket

​St. Peter's Basilica Reserved Entry Tickets with Dome Access

​Colosseum, Palatine Hill & Roman Forum Access

Know before you go

Group of passengers smiling and chatting on a travel bus.

Weather: Cool and crisp, averaging 4°C–12°C. Expect short days (sunrise ~7:40am, sunset ~4:45pm) and occasional rain. Evenings get colder near the Tiber. Pack a warm coat, scarf, gloves, and waterproof shoes.

Crowds: Moderate crowds around major landmarks, heavier near Vatican City, Piazza del Popolo, and Circus Maximus during celebrations. Expect large gatherings on Dec 31. Book tickets and dinner reservations early.

Budget: Prices rise 20–30% from Dec 28–Jan 2. Cenone di Capodanno dinners range €80–€200 per person. Public concerts and fireworks are free.

Dress code: Smart-casual for dinners and parties; layered clothing for daytime sightseeing. A long coat and sturdy shoes are essential for cold evenings.

Transport: Metro and main bus lines run extended hours until about 2:30am on Dec 31. Limited night services after that. Jan 1 transport resumes around 8:00am with reduced frequency. Taxis and ride apps may be hard to find after midnight, plan ahead.

Tips for celebrating New Year's Eve in Rome

  • Head to the viewpoints on hills if you want to see fireworks without being surrounded by huge crowds.
  • Carry warm clothes because it is chilly in Rome this time of year.
  • Make reservations well in advance because things get booked very quickly during New Year’s Eve in Rome.
  • Carry a set of party outfits if you intend on going all out on partying!
  • Check public transport schedules in advance to know what mode to take on your way home.
  • Try to book hotels close to the New Year festivities so that you can even walk to your accommodation.

​Rome travel tips

Frequently asked questions about celebrating New Year's Eve in Rome

Watch the fireworks display at Circus Maximus, attend a New Year's Concert Gala, or party at Palazzo Brancaccio. These are some of the best things to in Rome on New Year's Eve.