Christmas is a magical time of year for many people across the world, being a time to unwind, spend time with friends and family, and enjoy the festivities. It will come as no surprise that Christmas in Rome is no different, providing an incredible experience full of dazzling lights, religious traditions, and plenty of shopping opportunities.
We have curated a list of the top 10 things to do in Rome at Christmas, to help make sure your Christmas has plenty of Italian flair.
Our Top 10 Things to Do in Rome at Christmas
1. Take a Walk Through Rome’s Christmas Markets
There are many Christmas markets that you can visit during the festive period, but one of the most famous ones that many people choose to visit is Piazza Navona. The Piazza Navona is given its festive glow up at the start of December, being adorned with lights, stalls and festive decorations.
The Christmas stalls sell a variety of festive treats such as toys, sweet treats, handcrafted goods, and even antiques. With such a variety on offer, there is sure to be something that piques your interest.
On top of this, the square has a vibrant and festive atmosphere, where you can spend your evening marvelling at the stunning illumination of the Fountain of the Four Rivers, the church of Sant’Agnese in Agone, and Palazzo Pamphili.
2. Admire the Extravagant Christmas Trees
When it comes to showing a bit of flare, Rome has got it mastered, especially when it comes to festive decorations. And what better way is there to get into the festive spirit than by admiring Christmas trees. Throughout Rome at Christmas, you’ll be able to find a fantastic selection of festively adorned Christmas trees, each being as visually striking as the next.
You can find many large Christmas trees scattered around Rome at Christmas, but some of the best ones, in our opinion, are found at The Colosseum, St Peter’s Square, and at the Imperial Forums. A trip to see any of these trees and soak in the festive atmosphere is without a doubt one of the best things to do in Rome at Christmas.
3. Go to a Nativity Scene
One of the most popular things to do in Rome at Christmas is to go and see one of the nativity senses that have been put up throughout the city. Rome, of course, has a heavy Christian influence, meaning that the Christmas period is a heavily celebrated time of the year by the church.
Across many churches in Rome, you will be able to see pop-up displays, depicting several different scenes from the Nativity. Many of these scenes end up being breathtaking, beautiful works of art, especially when illuminated during the night.
One of our favourite places to go to see this is St Peter’s Square, as not only will this a nativity display on show, but is also placed near the giant Christmas tree that is found in the square, making it a great 2-for-1 trip! You can see from the photos of The Crib Scene in St Peter’s Square, that was set up in 2022, how strikingly beautiful these scenes can be, especially when viewed at night.
The combination of the illuminated, hand-crafted displays, the night sky, with the Vatican Obelisk in the background makes for a particular memorable photo!
4. Enjoy The Christmas Food
Christmas wouldn’t be the same without the same without a plethora of culinary treats, both sweet and savoury, to fill your belly. Throughout December, you will be able to find countless restaurants, cafés, and other eateries all serving a festive and wintery menu, which can be a perfect way to warm yourself through during the colder weather.
Some famous Christmas and winter dishes you should try when visiting Rome at Christmas are:
- Trapizzino – A street food consisting of a triangle-shaped pizza pocket, stuffed with many different fillings, making a great warming treat on the go.
- Supplì – A fried parcel of rice, stuffed with a tomato ragù, pork, and mozzarella, that is a staple Roman winter snack.
- Various Seafood – The Roman’s so Christmas dinner a bit differently, with the main dishes being made up of various seafood, such as prawns or sea bream. Famously, on Christmas Eve, it is a tradition to eat the “Feast of Seven Fishes”.
- Panettone – Panettone is a very famous Italian Christmas cake, made from sweet bread, dried fruits, and nuts.
With such a large variety of Rome food tours that we have on offer, you are bound to find the perfect culinary experience for you. What better way is there to view Rome than doing so with a full belly?
5. Take a Tour Through The Illuminated City
During Christmas in Rome, the city becomes a spectacle at night, illuminated by rows of colourful decorations and lights. The lights provide a truly festive feel to the city, making walking down many streets an unforgettable experience.
In addition to the streets and shops, many of Rome’s popular attractions and monuments are decorated with their own lights, giving the already impressive sights an additional air of amazement.
The Christmas lights are typically seen around the city, starting from the 8th of December, and are typically up for a month, coming down in early January. One of the best ways to experience the illuminated attractions of Rome over Christmas is to take a bus tour of the city, allowing you to cover a lot of ground and see a lot of monuments within a single evening.
6. Go Ice Skating
Ice skating near some of Rome’s most iconic attractions is certainly an experience you won’t forget anytime soon. Ice skating is one of the most fun things to do in Rome at Christmas for both children and adults alike, and has quickly become a tourist favourite over the festive period.
You can go ice skating at many places across the city, but some of the best ice skating rinks at Christmas are at:
- Christmas World – Villa Borghese
- Ice Park – Piazza Re di Roma
- Ice Park – Foro Italico
No matter if you’re new to ice skating, or a seasoned skater, you’ll be sure to have a great time and an unforgettable experience.
7. Attend a Christmas Mass
Christmas mass is one of the largest and most important events during Christmas in Rome, due to the large religious presence in the city. Even if you are not religious yourself, we would still recommend trying to attend a Christmas Mass, as it is a very traditional experience for Rome over the Christmas season.
To top it off, most places hosting a Christmas mass will be free to attend, so there is no cost involved to experience such a unique event. Some of the most popular Christmas Masses are held at St Peter’s Basilica, and at the Pantheon.
8. Go to a Christmas Concert
One of the most unforgettable things to do in Rome at Christmas is to go to a Christmas concert. Music is a large part of Roman culture, and is widely celebrated over the Christmas period. Many venues will be the host to a multitude of different concerts and performances of the season, including in some of Rome’s churches.
If you’re a big music fan, we highly recommend this as the various orchestral arrangements, choirs, and bands can make for a truly memorable evening, and in our opinion, really helps you to get in the festive mood.
9. See Some of the Classic Sights
Because Rome’s most popular season is during the summer, going during the winter, over the festive period, can be a great way to see all of Rome’s best sights, but with significantly fewer crowds of tourists.
If you’re looking for some of the best attractions to visit while in Rome at Christmas, then we recommend you take the time to see:
Of course, there are many more sights to see in Rome, but these are a good few to get you started. If you are looking for more experiences and attractions to visit, see our other guides.
10. Visit a Rome Wine Bar
One of the best things you can do in Rome at Christmas is spend some time warming up in a local wine bar (an Enoteca), where you can relax, enjoy the cosy atmosphere, and treat yourself to some of Rome’s best festive tipples.
When finding a Rome wine bar to settle in, we recommend trying to find the smaller, and more local establishments, rather than the bigger, more touristy places. This is because the smaller venues often have a much cosier feel to them, perfect for a cold, winter evening!
Get Your Tickets For Rome’s Attractions Over Christmas
While Rome has a lot less tourists over the winter period, we would still recommend booking ahead of time and getting tickets for the attractions you really want to go and see. This will ensure you get the best time slots and dates for you, rather than turning up on the day and being disappointed when you have to wait.
At Rome Vacation Tips, we partner with Rome ticket providers, offering you access to the best tours and tickets available, at reasonable prices, without having to battle with the clunky official websites and ticketing channels.
If you’re looking for a quick and stress-free experience when buying your Rome tickets, then look no further!
