Christmas in Rome runs from 8 December, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, to the Epiphany on 6 January. The city is less about markets than about churches: nativity scenes, the Pope’s Masses at St Peter’s and the crib in the square below the dome.
Plan around two closed days. On 25 December the Colosseum and the Vatican Museums are shut, and the Vatican Museums close on 26 December as well. Below is what we checked on the official sites on 29 October 2026, and what had not yet been announced.
When does the Christmas season start in Rome?
It starts on 8 December, a public holiday in Italy. In the afternoon the Pope goes to Piazza di Spagna to honour the statue of the Virgin Mary on top of the column there. For 2026 the Vatican calendar of papal celebrations sets it for Tuesday 8 December at 16:00.
The square fills early, so arrive at least an hour before. From our apartments the quickest way is the metro: line B from Colosseo to Termini, then line A to Spagna, three stops further. The exit at Spagna is a couple of minutes from the square.
Where can you see the Pope at Christmas?
On Christmas Day at noon the Pope gives the Urbi et Orbi blessing from the central loggia of St Peter’s Basilica. It is the moment most visitors can share, because it takes place over the square.
The Christmas Masses are inside St Peter’s Basilica. When we checked, the 2026 times had not yet been published: the calendar released on 27 October stops at 8 December. For reference, the official notice for Christmas 2025 gave these times:
- 24 December: Christmas Night Mass at 22:00
- 25 December: Christmas Day Mass at 10:00, then the Urbi et Orbi blessing at 12:00
- 31 December: Vespers and the Te Deum at 17:00
- 1 January: Mass at 10:00
Expect 2026 to be similar, but wait for the Vatican notice before you plan an evening around it.
How do you get tickets for the Christmas Mass at St Peter’s?
Tickets for papal Masses are free and limited in number. They are requested from the Prefecture of the Papal Household, on its ticket request site. Nobody can sell them, so ignore any website that asks for money.
Ask as soon as the Christmas dates are published. If you do not get a seat, there is still the blessing at noon on Christmas Day. A Mass in one of the other great basilicas is the other alternative.
From our apartments, St Peter’s is about an hour on foot. By metro, take line B to Termini and line A to Ottaviano, then walk about ten to fifteen minutes to the square.
Where can you see nativity scenes in Rome?
Rome is the city of the presepe, the nativity scene. Three are worth planning around.
St Peter’s Square. Each year a tree and a large nativity scene go up in the square. According to Vatican News, the 2026 tree is a white fir about 25 metres tall from Terranova di Pollino, in southern Italy. Children in hospital are making its ceramic decorations. The crib is by the Archdiocese of Chieti-Vasto, in Abruzzo.
The 2026 inauguration date was not yet announced. Last year the tree and crib were unveiled on 15 December and stayed until the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, in January.
100 Presepi in Vaticano. Under the left-hand colonnade of the square, an exhibition gathers nativity scenes from Italy and abroad. In 2025, according to Vatican News, it ran from 8 December to 8 January, daily from 10:00 to 19:00. Entry was free, with no booking. The 2026 edition had not been announced when we checked.
Santa Maria Maggiore. The Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore keeps the Sacra Culla, a rock crystal reliquary from 1802 holding five pieces of sycamore wood. Tradition holds that they come from the manger in Bethlehem. The basilica also holds the nativity group by Arnolfo di Cambio, which Turismo Roma describes as the first sculpted presepe in history.
It is our nearest great basilica. From Poliziano, at Via Angelo Poliziano 61, it is an eleven-minute walk. From San Giovanni I and San Giovanni II, at Via di San Giovanni in Laterano 84, allow about a quarter of an hour.
Is there a Christmas market in Rome?
Yes, in Piazza Navona. Stalls selling sweets, toys and figures for nativity scenes fill the piazza from early December. It closes on 6 January, when the Befana, the old woman who brings presents to Italian children, gives the fair its last day.
Roma Capitale had not published the 2026 dates when we checked on 29 October. Look for the announcement in late November. Keep expectations modest: this is a Roman fair, not a northern European Christmas market, and the setting is the real attraction.
From our apartments, Piazza Navona is about 35 to 45 minutes on foot, past the Roman Forum and Piazza Venezia. In December the walk is part of the evening.
What is closed in Rome on Christmas Day?
The big sites close on 25 December. This is what the official pages said on 29 October 2026.
The Colosseum. The Colosseum Archaeological Park is closed on 25 December 2026 and 1 January 2027. From 25 October to 28 February it opens at 08:30, with last entry at 15:30. Entry is free on the first Sunday of the month, which in December is the 6th.
The Vatican Museums. According to the Vatican Museums 2026 calendar, they are closed on 8, 25 and 26 December, and on the other Sundays. On 24 and 31 December last entry is at 13:00. On Sunday 27 December entry is free, from 09:00 to 12:30.
Public transport. Buses and the metro run reduced hours on the holidays. ATAC, the city transport company, publishes the Christmas timetable in December. Check it before you plan a late return on 24 December.
Shops close on Christmas Day, and many restaurants either close or serve a set lunch. Book well ahead if you want to eat out on the 24th or 25th.
How do Romans celebrate Christmas?
Christmas in Rome is a family holiday, and it centres on food. On Christmas Eve many families eat no meat. Dinner is fish, often with fried salt cod.
Christmas Day lunch is long and usually at home. On 26 December, the feast of Santo Stefano, Romans visit relatives or walk off the meal in the parks. The churches stay busy all season, with their own cribs and concerts.
Between Christmas and the Epiphany the city is full of Italian visitors, and the centre is crowded in the evenings. Mornings are quiet. It is a good time to walk the Roman Forum early, before the crowds.
Common questions
Is Rome worth visiting at Christmas? Yes, if you like churches, nativity scenes and a city in a holiday mood. Plan around 25 December, when most sites are closed, and book restaurants early.
Can you visit the Colosseum on Christmas Day? No. The Colosseum is closed on 25 December 2026 and on 1 January 2027. It is open on 24, 26 and 31 December, with last entry at 15:30.
Do you need a ticket for the Urbi et Orbi blessing? The blessing is given from the loggia over St Peter’s Square at noon on 25 December. Arrive early to find a place in the square. Tickets are needed for the Masses inside the basilica, and they are free.
What is the weather like in Rome in December? Mild and often damp. Days are short, with sunset before 17:00, so plan outdoor sites for the morning and keep churches and museums for the afternoon.
How do we get from the airport during the holidays? Buses and the metro run reduced timetables on the holidays. Our airport transfer meets you at arrivals on any day of the season.
Before you go
Christmas in Rome is a season of a month, not a single day. Come for the crib in St Peter’s Square, the Pope’s blessing and the basilicas lit for the feast. Keep 25 December for a long lunch and a walk.
For the rest of your days, our guide to things to do near the Colosseum covers the neighbourhood around our apartments.
