Christmas in Rome: Best Things to Do in Rome during Christmas
The most magical time of year arrives, Christmas. The cities are dressed in lights, families feel more union and love, with friends everything is joy and travel becomes a unique experience, so, if you are thinking of visiting Rome at Christmas, here we tell you the best things to do if you are visiting Rome during Christmas.
If you celebrate Christmas, there is no more traditional way to celebrate it than spending Christmas in Rome, the cradle of the Christian faith.
Christmas season starts officially in Rome on December 8th, with the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, an important holiday in the country, and by this date, the decoration across the city is complete.
Most of the festivals, markets, and decorations last until January 6th, with the feast of the Magi.
During the night of the 5th to the 6th of January, Befana, the witch, comes to bring sweets and coal to the children.
1. Visit Rome’s Christmas Markets
Visiting a traditional Christmas market is essential for those traveling to Rome during Christmas time, though they are typically smaller and less abundant than those found in northern Europe.
There are many markets across the city, but the most famous one is the one at Piazza Navona, which, joints two different traditions, Christmas and the Epiphany.
From December 2 to January 6, Piazza Navona is filled with stalls selling Christmas decorations, handicrafts, typical sweets, and the socks that Befana, a witch, takes to Italian children on January 6. They can be full of candy or charcoal, depending on how the child has behaved.
The very Befana arrives on the day of Reyes in the plaza distributing sweets and gifts to the children. This tradition lives in the hearts of Italians and it is very funny that you can also enjoy it.
The Christmas market in Piazza Navona is indeed the most traditional one and the most visited by tourists and locals during the Christmas festivities. The beautiful architecture of the Piazza alongside the decoration works perfectly to bring Christmas feelings.
It was once the biggest Christmas market in Rome, however, in 2014 it almost disappeared. It is slowly coming back though.
Piazza Navona market happens from 8th December to 6th January.
Piazza Mazzini Christmas market
Piazza Mazzini is famous for its year-round antique market, which happens on the first and third Sunday of each month, selling not only antique but also vintage items and furniture.
However, during the Christmas season, it turns into one of the best Christmas markets in the city of Rome.
Selling decorations and nice gift ideas to bring to your loved ones. Among the Christmas items, some vendors still resist and keep selling their antique goods, which is also great.
The Piazza Mazzini Christmas market opens on 8th December and ends on Christmas Eve, 24th December.
2. See the Nativity Scenes in Rome
For Catholics, Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus, so the Catholic church in its main headquarters dresses up during December.
However, even if your religion is different or you do not have a particular belief, it is still worth visiting the main churches of Rome to see the Nativity scene(The scene of the birth of Jesus), also known as Presepe, or Crèche.
It is one of the oldest Christmas traditions in Italy, and you will surely find many Nativity scenes across the streets, the most famous, the ones in Piazza Navona, St Peter’s Square, Piazza del Popolo, and the one in the church of Santa Maria d’Aracoeli.
Undoubtedly though, that of St. Peter’s Square is the favorite and it’s open between December 7 and January 6.
3. Attend a Midnight Mass at the Vatican
Celebrating Christmas in Rome wouldn’t be complete without attending a Midnight Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica if you can manage to get tickets.
Even without tickets, you can still gather in St. Peter’s Square to watch the Mass on large screens, it’s an unforgettable experience with the Basilica beautifully illuminated.
4. Take a Picture with one of the Christmas Trees in Rome
Being a Northern European tradition, the idea of decorating a Christmas tree wasn’t something common in Italy until a few decades ago, when it became popular.
Like the Nativity scenes, you will find many Christmas trees nowadays, scattered across the city, normally in front of the main attractions in Rome.
The most famous and worth seeing of them though, are those located in St Peter’s Square, next to the Nativity scene mentioned above, the Christmas tree next to the Coliseum of Rome, and the Christmas tree at the Piazza Venezia, this one being the most iconic tree in the city.
Christmas tree at Piazza Venezia
The most famous Christmas tree in Rome, and perhaps in the world though, was known as Spelacchio and used to be placed in the middle of Piazza Venezia every year. It dragged a lot of attention for its funny and screwed format, which ended up captivating the sympathy of everybody.
The tree died in 2018 though, due to bad conditions during the transport, and was replaced with a new tree, sponsored by Netflix. Although the famous Spelacchio is gone, the new Christmas tree of Piazza Venezia is worth a visit!
5. Try one of the Seasonal Dishes
Christmas is the perfect time to visit Rome and try one of its traditional dishes!
You’ll find traditional Christmas desserts like panettone, pandoro, and torrone (nougat) in bakeries and restaurants.
Many places serve special holiday menus with hearty Italian dishes that are a great way to warm up on chilly evenings.
And to close this lovely season, during the Epiphany, you can try the fave dei morti (almond cookies), a sweet only made for this special day.
There is much more to discover at this time in Rome, so pack your suitcase, book your tours, and live an unforgettable experience.
