Rome is one of the most beautiful destinations all year-round, but visiting the city during Christmas makes the experience even more special.
Christmas in Rome blends official and popular traditions in a unique way, and the streets and monuments are full of locals, giving you the perfect opportunity to practice your Italian. Here are the Christmas traditions you can enjoy while in Rome for the holidays.
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1. Visiting the Christmas market in Piazza Navona
Christmas markets are among the most beloved Italian Christmas traditions. Every city organizes its own, and it’s common to plan road or train trips to visit popular markets in the Alpine regions and in Naples, known for their handcrafted nativity scene figurines on San Gregorio Armeno street.
Rome is no exception, hosting several Christmas markets every year. The most traditional is the Christmas market in Piazza Navona, called the mercatino della Befana (a popular witch-like figure in Italian folklore). Watched over by Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s Fountain of the Four Rivers, the square comes alive with stalls selling Christmas decorations, handicrafts, toys, and food, along with games for children and teenagers.
For more Christmas markets, also stop by Campo de’ Fiori (close to the Piazza Navona), the farmers market Città dell’altra economia (in the Testaccio district), and Piazza Mazzini (in the Della Vittoria district).
2. Taking a passeggiata (stroll) under the Christmas lights
This is where one of Italy’s most traditional habits, the passeggiata, meets the magic of Christmas. A passeggiata is a leisurely walk with no specific destination that Italians love to do whenever they can. During the holidays, it becomes a way to enjoy the city’s Christmas decorations and spend time with loved ones. After all, Christmas is all about family; there is even an Italian saying about it: Natale con i tuoi, Pasqua con chi vuoi. (Christmas with your family, Easter with whoever you want.)
Some of the most beautiful Christmas lights in Rome include the monumental trees in Piazza del Popolo, Piazza San Pietro (St. Peter’s Square), and Piazza di Spagna. Other favorite spots among locals are the decorations in the Galleria Alberto Sordi, the façade of Palazzo Ripetta, and the charming Via Margutta.
3. Discovering the tradition of the 100 presepi (100 Nativity scenes) and more
If it’s not your first Christmas holiday in Italy, you already know that Nativity scenes take over every church, shop window, and piece of home décor. And Rome has plenty of them.
One of the most popular events is the 100 Presepi in Vaticano exhibition under the colonnade of St. Peter’s Basilica. The one-month-long exhibition features more than 100 nativity scenes from around the world. Admission is free, and the collection changes every year, making it a tradition for locals to visit.
Another event not to miss is visiting the oldest nativity scene in Rome at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, which dates back to 1291. And if you are in Rome in mid-December, you may also see the presepe vivente (live nativity scene) in the square in front of the basilica.
Finally, check out the presepe dei netturbini, a creation by Giuseppe Ianni, a netturbino (garbageman) who crafted a reproduction of how Palestine would have looked in the year zero. He continued to enlarge it from 1972 until he died in 2022, creating an impressive piece that includes more than 3,000 stones from every part of the world. Over the years, the presepe has had distinguished visitors, including three popes and Mother Teresa of Calcutta.
4. Attending Christmas Eve Mass and the Urbi et Orbi in St. Peter’s Square
For Catholics, attending Mass in Vatican City is the experience of a lifetime. The main events are the Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica and the Christmas Day Mass with the Urbi et Orbi blessing, which the Pope delivers from the central balcony overlooking St. Peter’s Square.
Both events are free, but if you want to attend the night Mass inside the basilica on Christmas Eve, you must send a request for access to the prefecture of the papal household. To attend the Urbi et Orbi in St. Peter’s Square, no ticket is required; however, plan to arrive early on December 25, as access is strictly subject to capacity.
5. Choosing your team: panettone vs. pandoro
There is a question every Italian asks during Christmas: Preferisci il panettone o il pandoro? (Do you prefer panettone or pandoro?). So pick a side and see which one you like best, because this is one of those Christmas traditions in Italy that truly divides the country.
Traditional panettone is a round, tall cake made with candied fruit and raisins. Pandoro, on the other hand, is a golden, fluffy, star-shaped cake covered in powdered sugar. Nowadays, you can find endless variations of both in every supermarket, filled with chocolate, creams, and more. But be prepared; if you buy panettone in a pastry shop, the next question Italians will ask is: Con o senza canditi? (With or without candied fruit?). Many Italians can’t stand them, so don’t feel like an outsider if you prefer the latter.
When do Italians eat panettone and pandoro? The answer is easy: anytime. You can have a slice for breakfast (some people heat or toast it), enjoy it as dessert, or offer it with an espresso when friends stop by in the afternoon during the holidays. If you want to make panettone fancier, serve it with a homemade zabaione cream.
To get ready for your Christmas in Rome, practice pronunciation with the following chart.
| Italian Word | Pronunciation | Notes |
| panettone | pah-neh-TTOH-neh | For perfect sound, stress on “TTOH,” not “neh.” |
| pandoro | pahn-DOH-roh | To get the emphasis on “DOH” right, think “donut.” |
6. Enjoying a day at Christmas World in Villa Borghese
If you spend Christmas in Rome with your kids, a visit to Christmas World will make their day. From the end of November to mid-January, Villa Borghese, Rome’s largest park, hosts a huge Christmas village of over 538,000 square feet. It includes shows, Lapland-themed recreations, a big ice rink, stands, rides, a food court, and more than 600 performers. It’s a full immersion in the Christmas spirit!
Because you’ll interact with many people here, it’s also a great opportunity to speak Italian. Locals genuinely appreciate it when visitors try, and they’ll give you the kind of confidence boost you need to learn Italian. Knowing how to say “thank you” in Italian will go a long way. And after an exchange, don’t forget to wish buon natale, which means “merry Christmas” in Italian, as a way to say goodbye: It’s the key to Italian politeness during the holidays.
- Sono 5 € in tutto. = It’s 5 euros in total.
- Grazie mille e buon Natale. = Thank you very much, and Merry Christmas.
- Ecco il resto. Buon Natale. = Here’s your change. Merry Christmas.
- Grazie. Anche a te/lei. = Thank you. (Merry Christmas) to you, too. (informal/formal)
7. Celebrating Christmas with the best traditional food in Rome
Can you imagine Christmas in Italy without traditional Italian Christmas food? Please! You have plenty of new dishes to discover during the holidays, and knowing how to order food in Italian will be the most useful language skill.
Locals gather around the table for the Christmas Eve dinner, called cena di magro (meatless dinner), Christmas lunch, and Boxing Day lunch. So, what food should you try in Rome for Christmas?
Besides pasta ripiena (stuffed pasta) and lasagne, traditional Christmas dishes in Rome include frittura di pesce (fried squid, shrimp, and baby octopus) and fried or stewed baccalà (salted-dried cod). Among meat dishes, Roman cuisine features abbacchio (suckling lamb, as it’s called in the Roman dialect) and stuffed pork roast or capon, usually paired with carciofi alla giudia or alla romana (fried or stewed artichokes). Stracciatella, a rich broth with meatballs, eggs, and Parmesan, which Romans eat on Boxing Day, may be a bit harder to find in restaurants, but it is still served in taverns off the beaten path.
For a sweet treat, try torrone (nougat), marzapane (marzipan), and local treats like panpepato and panforte, spiced cakes from Tuscany with a Roman twist, and pangiallo, made with dried fruit, honey, and saffron.
8. Ice skating in the Eternal City
After all the eating, a little activity is the best. Between November and December, ice rinks pop up all over the city, turning Rome into a festive winter playground. For the biggest ice rinks in Rome, head to the giant 9,600-square-foot rink in Villa Borghese or to the Foro Italico Ice Park, located near the Stadio Olimpico.
You can also glide across the seasonal rinks in Piazza Cavour, near Castel Sant’Angelo, and in Piazza Smart, close to Tiburtina Station.
9. Going to the movies on December 25
One of the most cherished, unwritten Christmas traditions in Italy is going to the movies. On Christmas Day, Italians flock to the cinema to watch two classic holiday genres: animated films for families and cinepanettoni (literally, panettone-movies), slapstick Italian comedies wildly popular in the ’80s and ’90s.
Even though streaming platforms and the decline of the cinepanettone genre have changed habits a bit, movie theaters still expand their schedule on December 25, and many Italians keep the tradition alive.
10. Celebrating New Year’s Eve at Rome’s Circus Maximus
If you’re planning to spend Christmas in Rome, consider extending your stay until Capodanno (New Year’s Eve). One of the most popular events is the New Year’s Eve concert at the Circus Maximus, ancient Rome’s chariot-racing stadium.
The concert is free, so it does get crowded. Plan to arrive early and use public transportation, as many streets may be closed.
11. Preparing le calze (stockings) for la Befana
In Italian folklore, during the night between January 5 and 6, a witch-like granny called la Befana visits homes to bring sweets or a bit of charcoal to children, depending on how well they behaved during the year. Kids hang large stockings so she can fill them, and many leave out a little food to help the old lady get through her long night’s work.
In Rome, celebrations for la Befana usually take place in Piazza Navona and along Via della Conciliazione, where a folkloric parade also features the Re Magi (the Three Wise Men).
It’s the perfect wrap-up for the holidays, or like Italians say in perfect rhyme: L’Epifania tutte le feste si porta via. (Epiphany sweeps the holidays away.)
Frequently asked questions about spending Christmas in Rome
To make the most of your winter trip to Rome, here are some practical tips for visiting the city during Christmas.
Is Rome worth visiting in December?
Absolutely! December in Rome is magical: Ancient piazzas glow with festive lights, and the vibe is cozier and more authentic. Rome is usually quieter than in summer, though during the second half of December, you’ll see more crowds of domestic tourists and locals enjoying their vacations. Plus, there are numerous holiday events to participate in.
Is Rome cold during Christmas?
Rome has mild winters, and snow is rare. However, nights and early mornings can be chilly, so bring a warm coat, scarf, and gloves. Italians call their layering approach vestire a cipolla (to dress like an onion), which keeps you comfortable all day without having to change clothes.
What do Italians say instead of ‘Merry Christmas’?
The most common Italian holiday greetings are:
• Buon Natale. = Merry Christmas.
• Buone feste. = Happy holidays.
• Buon anno. = Happy New Year.
• Buon Natale e felice anno nuovo. = Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. (perfect for cards or messages)
Since Rome is very multicultural, learning how to say “Merry Christmas” in different languages is an enriching way to connect with non-native locals and fellow travelers.
Are Rome’s attractions open during Christmas?
Many major sites, such as the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, are closed on December 25 and January 1. The Vatican Museums also close on December 26. Check official websites for opening hours before planning your visits to avoid surprises.
Can I visit Rome without being fluent in Italian?
Absolutely! Rome’s city center is one of the most tourist-friendly areas in the world, so you can get by easily speaking English. That said, learning a few everyday Italian expressions can make your experience in Rome way more authentic. If you want to get even more confident, try some lessons with the Rosetta Stone App, and you’ll be more than ready to enjoy your Roman holidays.
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