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Dec 13, 2023 · Christmas Traditions in Rome. Roman Christmas customs combine religious observances with secular celebrations, drawing on the city’s history of Catholicism. That’s why Rome has many interesting Christmas traditions: Extended Celebrations. The Roman Christmas season begins on December 25 and continues all the way to the Epiphany on January 6.
Due to its status as the centre of the Catholic world, Rome offers an unparalleled experience for celebrating Christmas, as events unfold in prominent landmarks like Vatican City. The city’s numerous Nativity Scenes, known as Presepi in Italian, have their origins traced back to Francis of Assisi.
- When Is Christmas in Rome?
- Christmas Holidays in Rome
- Is Rome Busy at Christmas?
- Does It Snow in Rome at Christmas?
- What to Pack For Visiting Rome at Christmas
- Where to Stay in Rome at Christmas
- Christmas in Rome Shops Opening Hours
- Rome Restaurants at Christmas
- Museums and Attractions You Can Visit in Rome at Christmas + Special Closures
- Top 10 Christmas Things to Do in Rome This Year
The Christmas season in Rome lasts from December the 8th to January the 6th. Christmas Eve is celebrated on the 24th of December and Christmas Day on the 25th. St Stephen’s Day is on the 26th. The 8th of Decemberkicks off the holiday season. On this day, the city celebrates the Immaculate Conception: this is a Catholic holiday and schools and offic...
The main festive days you need to be aware of in Rome at Christmas are: December 8th December 8th is a day off for locals. However, it usually does not affect your ability to visit museums and attractions, open on this day. 24th December Christmas eve in Rome is pre-festive. Some museums and attractions may close in the afternoon and observe shorte...
Rome at Christmas is very busy! With October, Easter, May and June, Christmas is one of the busiest times to visit Rome. Advance booking of accommodation and all attractions is a must.
Usually, no. Snow in Romeis a very rare event and a white Christmas in the Eternal City is pretty much unheard of. While cold, December tends to see blue sky and brisk days. I recommend you wrap up for winter but no need to bring bulky snow gear with you.
To visit Rome in December you will need good, warm, walking shoes, a coat (ideally waterproof) a scarf and an umbrella. Heating is not as strong in Italy as you may be used to in other countries, so don’t expect to have to take off many layers once entering museums or restaurants. I recommend you wear a long sleeve top and a nice woolen top, so you...
The best place to stay in Rome at Christmas is the city center. A central location will allow you to be less dependant on public transport, busy and erratic at this time, and will offer the best atmosphere in terms of lights and Christmas shopping. Fantastic hotels you may enjoy in Rome at Christmas are: NH Fori Imperiali – modern hotel overlooking...
Shops have prolonged opening hours during the Christmas weeks but do close early on December the 24th and often stay closed until the 27th, especially outside of the center. Big supermarket chains tend to have longer opening hours however, Rome doesn’t have the 24/7 shopping facilities you may be used to back home. Christmas doesn’t usually see sal...
Eating out in Rome on Christmas eve and Christmas day is not always easy. Many restaurants close on the 24th and the ones that are open tend to have a special Christmas menu with equally ‘special’ price tags. The same happens for New Year’s eve when restaurants tend to be booked for events or offer special festive menus. Book in advance to make sur...
The Colosseum and the Roman Forum
The Colosseum and the Roman Forum close on the 25th of December only. Booking tickets in advance is paramount. Find them at the following link: Colosseum tickets by Parco Colosseo: the cheapest form of ticket, with tours organized by the official Colosseum concession. Excellent in quality but with no flexibility on the booking date/time once purchased – a good option if you are sure of your plans. Getting tickets this way may require a bit of patience. Check here >>> how to buy Colosseum tick...
Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel at Christmas
The Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel usually close on the 8th, 24th and 25th of December. They also usually close early on the 31st of December. Christmas is a beautiful yet very busy time to visit the Museum: I highly recommend you book a tour and, if you can, opt for one early in the morning such as this one, when crowds tend to be smaller. Good to know: you can find here >>> our guide ‘how to visit the Vatican at Christmas‘.
The Borghese Gallery at Christmas
The Borghese Gallery is closed on the 25th of December. Tickets for all other December dates are available here (with escorted entrance), here (with guided tour), and here(simple entry). Find my guide to the Borghese Gallery here Tip for families! Sourcing tours at this time may not be easy. In that case, you may like to equip your kids with my kids’ guide to the Borghese Gallery (free)so they can learn about what they are seeing anyway!
With all these closures you may wonder if there is anything you can actually do in Rome at Christmas. Indeed, there is plenty in Rome to fill your holiday!
Dec 1, 2023 · If you want to learn all about Rome’s Christmas traditions and how you should plan your visit, keep reading—you’ve come to the right place. Roman Christmas: A History. The ancient Romans didn’t celebrate Christmas; their pagan religion predated the birth of Christianity by some 700 years.
Dec 23, 2023 · Table of Contents. What to do in Rome at Christmas this year. Visit the Vatican. Visit the best Christmas markets. Explore Christmas World at Villa Borghese. Visit the Christmas Village at Cinecittà World. Concerts and events at Auditorium Parco della Musica. Christmas Lights in Rome. Christmas Trees in Rome. Nativity scenes in Rome. Go shopping.
Nov 14, 2023 · From its historical landmarks and lively piazzas to Baroque-style churches, Rome at Christmas is merry and bright. The festive season typically begins from December and lasts through New Year’s. Besides April and October, December is one of the busiest times in Rome.
Dec 15, 2020 · Most visitors to Rome don't know that there is a beautiful and unusual Christmas Eve Mass celebrated at the Pantheon. The originally pagan building was designed in early Roman times to be a temple where one could worship any deity.
