The city of Rome takes its celebrations seriously, and that includes Christmas time. Every holiday season, the city beckons tourists with its plethora of things to do on Christmas in Rome. Read on to explore your options during Christmas in Rome with the fun-filled ways Romans express their Christmas cheer!

Why Spend Christmas in Rome?

As the month of December is right smack in the middle of the off-season for tourists, most of the city's attractions and events will be free of the bustling crowds of tourists.
Many of the attractions in Rome are decked up especially for the holiday season while offering Christmas-exclusive events and activities.
Christmas in Rome is a haven for those who are more inclined towards the more traditional, cultural aspects of the holiday season.
The weather is quite pleasant during winter in Rome, as the occurrence of snowfall is rare, and the slight chill in the air adds a festive atmosphere to your travel.

Top 9 Things to do on Christmas in Rome

1. Attend Christmas Mass

The Christmas mass is one of the most significant events during the holiday in Rome, and one that’s typically free to attend in most places. This tradition is followed throughout Rome, but there’s a few you simply cannot miss.

The most popular locations for Christmas Mass are:

Pantheon
St Peter's Basilica
All Saints' Anglican Church | Find on map
Basilica Papale di Santa Maria Maggiore | Find on map

Christmas in Rome - Nativity Scenes in Rome

2. Check Out Nativity Scenes

Yet another cultural gem of Rome on Christmas, the nativity scenes (or the Presepe) can be seen all throughout the city - even in most shop displays. To gaze at some notable nativity scenes, going to popular churches is a good idea.

Here are the locations for the best nativity scenes:

St Peter's Square | Find on map
Church of Santa Maria in Ara Coeli | Find on map
Basilica Papale di Santa Maria Maggiore | Find on map
Basilica of Saints Cosmas and Damian | Find on map

Christmas in Rome - Christmas Trees in Rome

3. Admire the Christmas Trees

Some of the most awe-inspiring Christmas trees can be found standing tall in the middle of popular public spaces, with glittering lights and decorations abound. After all, there’s nothing like seeing a majestic Christmas tree to get you in the Christmas spirit!

Locate the best Christmas trees in Rome at:

Colosseum
St Peter's Square | Find on map
Piazza Venezia | Find on map
Imperial Forums | Find on map

Christmas in Rome - Christmas Markets in Rome

4. Explore the Christmas Markets

The usual markets in Rome get a whole new festive makeover, come Christmas time. Expect to purchase Christmas-exclusive goods, Christmas ornaments, vintage goods and antiques, candy coal, crafts, and more!

Find Rome's best Christmas markets at:

Piazza Navona | Find on map
Piazza Mazzini | Find on map
Cinecittà World | Find on map
Borghese Gardens | Find on map

Christmas in Rome - Christmas Food in Rome

5. Relish Christmas Food

As Christmas anywhere is incomplete without a hearty meal to fill you up, don’t forget to sample the season’s offerings in Rome by heading to eateries frequented by locals and Christmas markets!

Know about Roman Christmas food and where you can find it:

Pandoro at Pasticceria Gruè | Find on map
Panettone at Eataly | Find on map
Seafood at Hotel Hassler | Find on map
Limoncello from Carrefour | Find on map

Christmas in Rome - Christmas Concerts in Rome

6. Head to a Christmas Concert

Fans of classical music will love Christmas in Rome, as almost all the stages in auditoriums and churches are taken up by choirs and performers putting on their renditions of classic holiday music.

The best Christmas concerts in Rome are:

The Three Tenors in Rome at St Paul's Within the Walls Church, Via Nazionale | Find on map
Baroque Christmas Concert at Capuchin Crypt, Via Vittorio Veneto | Find on map
Rome Opera Christmas Concerts at St Andrew’s Church of Scotland, Via Venti Settembre | Find on map
Christmas Concert at the Auditorium of Ponte Sant'Angelo in Rome | Find on maps

Christmas in Rome - Christmas Lights in Rome

7. Gaze at the Christmas Lights

The first Christmas lights are put up around early December, right from the Immaculate Conception, so by Christmas, all the streets of Rome reflect a blindingly bright spirit of the holiday season.

Spot the most beautiful Christmas lights at:

Piazza di Spagna | Find on map
Via dei Condotti | Find on map
Piazza Venezia | Find on map
Via del Corso | Find on map

8. Go Ice Skating

A festive activity that warms you up in the midst of the chill of the Roman winter, ice skating in one of the city’s many rinks has recently become a tourist favorite, especially on Christmas. So strap your skates in and prepare for some graceful festive gliding!

The best ice rinks on Christmas are:

Castel Sant'Angelo | Find on map
Piazzale Ankara | Find on map
Auditorium Parco della Musica | Find on map
Galleria Porta di Roma | Find on map

Christmas in Rome - Take a Tour on Christmas in Rome

9. Experience a Hassle-Free Tour

As December is the low season for tourism in Rome, you can make the best of it by experiencing fewer crowds, queues - and of course, the opportunity to take some of the best tours in Rome during a quieter (and more festive) time.

Book bus tours in Rome

Top Experiences in Rome

Frequently Asked Questions About Celebrating Christmas in Rome

Is Christmas a good time to visit Rome?

With the city putting up Christmas-exclusive events, markets, decorations and cultural traditions during the month of December, Christmas is a great time to visit Rome.

What are some things to do on Christmas in Rome?

Do as the Romans do on Christmas by taking your skates out for a spin on the many ice skating rinks in Rome, digging into some irresistible Christmas fare like Panettone, attending Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, and more.

What is the weather like at Christmas in Rome?

Winter in Rome is not particularly chilly, with average daily temperatures only going as low as 7°C. Snowfall is rare, but rain showers tend to occur throughout the month.

Is Rome crowded at Christmas?

Surprisingly, Rome is not as crowded with tourists as you would expect during Christmas. This makes it a great time to go sightseeing!

What’s open in Rome on Christmas?

Most attractions in Rome are closed during Christmas Day, and so are most eateries. It is always best to check what's open around you as you head out to get a meal on December 25th.

What is the most popular Christmas market in Rome?

Piazza Navona is, hands down, the most popular Christmas market in Rome - and also the biggest. Some other popular Christmas markets are the ones in Auditorium Parco della Musica and Piazza Mazzini.

Are restaurants open on Christmas in Rome?

With the exception of some restaurants that offer special Christmas menus to celebrate the holiday season, most restaurants are closed on Christmas Day.

What are the best places to stay in Rome on Christmas?

It is advised to stay around Monti during Christmastime in Rome, as this area is the closest to almost all the Christmassy activities - whether you want to see the Christmas tree at the Colosseum or attend Christmas Mass at the Pantheon.

What should I eat in Rome on Christmas?

Indulge in well-loved Christmas delicacies in Rome by getting some pandoro and panettone, as the Romans love their desserts during the holiday season. Another culinary tradition in Rome during Christmas is eating seafood instead of meat.

What are the best restaurants for Christmas in Rome?

Hotel Hassler and Bucavino are Roman favorites for a Christmas meal, as their delectable Christmas menu offers both gourmet and authentic flavors to your tastebuds.

Where can I see the Christmas lights in Rome?

You can marvel at rows and rows of glittering Christmas lights at Piazza di Spagna and Piazza Venezia, as both these notable streets have the best views of Christmas lights to offer.

What are some Christmas traditions in Rome?

Apart from merrymaking by gorging on Christmassy desserts, Romans celebrate their Christmas by attending Midnight Mass at the Vatican, consuming seafood instead of meat, and often displaying a ceppo in their households.