How To Celebrate Christmas and New Year’s Eve in Rome—For Every Type of Traveler

There's no better way to celebrate the sacred side of Christmas in Rome than by attending the traditional Mass held each Christmas Eve at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. Keep in mind that services begin at midnight, so book a Christmas Mass experience that includes an aperitif to satisfy your appetite before heading to the church.

If you can’t make it to the Vatican, you can attend religious services in Rome at Christmas at any historic city church around the city. Admire the nativity scenes set up around each altar—one of the most beloved Rome Christmas traditions—and enjoy an authentic local experience far from the holiday crowds.

The capital city decks its halls (and streets) come December, and a holiday lights tour in Rome to admire the seasonal decorations is one of the best things to do in Rome over Christmas and New Year's.

Piazza Venezia is home to a towering tree, a life-sized nativity scene marks the center of St. Peter’s Square, and lights are strung along the main shopping streets and cobblestone pedestrian lanes from the Colosseum to the Vatican. A festive stroll through the historic center is also a great option if you don’t know what to do in Rome on Christmas Day, as many museums and attractions are closed for the holiday.

The winter school holidays are ideal for a family trip to Rome, where the mild climate and endless array of attractions make touring a breeze for all ages. Because of the shorter days, tour the sites in the morning with kid-focused guides and skip-the-line tickets.

In the afternoon, dive into family-friendly activities in Rome for Christmas, like a walking tour of the best Christmas decorations (with a break for hot chocolate, of course), ice skating in Rome during the holidays at one of the temporary rinks set up in squares across the city, or browsing the stands at the Piazza Navona Christmas market.

Fans of classical and seasonal music can take in one of the many Christmas concerts in Rome in December in churches and other venues across the city. Enjoy performances of classic carols and gospel songs, opera arias and duets, or even Baroque music against the backdrop of glorious art and architecture on Christmas or New Year’s Eve. Other top cultural events for the holidays include classical ballet, seasonal theater performances, and Christmas art exhibitions in Rome.

Rome is a foodie destination all year round, but the city dials it up a notch during the holidays with lavish fare. Christmas lunch and New Year’s Eve dinner in Rome are the culinary high points of the season, but there are endless ways to sample Roman cuisine. Join a market and food tour in one of the city’s historic neighborhoods, roll up your sleeves and get to work preparing fresh pasta during a hands-on cooking class, or meet up with a Roman insider for an unforgettable dining experience.

Rome is one of Italy’s premier Christmas shopping destinations, with a wide array of stores selling everything from haute couture and antique art to the seasonal baubles in the Christmas markets in Rome. Check everyone off your gift list with a personal shopper to cover the best holiday shopping in Rome and stock up on fashion, home decor, arts and crafts, and more. Browse the luxury shops around Piazza di Spagna, independent boutiques in Monti, and market stalls in Piazza Navona.

The New Year's Eve countdown in Rome is a celebration of superlatives, with multi-course dinners, pyrotechnics, and dancing until dawn in the streets and the clubs. New Year’s Eve celebrations in Rome generally begin in the late evening, when friends and family gather for a dinner featuring traditional foods like lentils (said to bring good luck) and zampone, a type of sausage, followed by a midnight stroll through the city to take in live concerts and midnight fireworks.

For the best fireworks in Rome for New Year’s Eve, head to the Circus Maximus. Or, book dinner at one of the city’s rooftop restaurants for a bird’s-eye view.

Rome’s winter temperatures are relatively mild, so there are plenty of Christmas events in Rome, as well as celebrations of New Year’s Eve in Rome that are outdoors and free to attend. The most famous are the Christmas Market in Piazza Navona and the concert and fireworks at the Circus Maximus.

However, the city organizes an array of holiday activities in Rome each year for locals and visitors that are easy on the wallet. In addition, tourism in the city spikes at the end of December, so you can join affordable group tours to visit attractions like the Colosseum and Vatican or enjoy views of the city’s seasonal decorations via the hop-on-hop-off bus.

Fit more yuletide fun into just a few days with guided holiday city tours and skip-the-line access to the crowded blockbuster sights so you can cover Rome’s highlights during a quick getaway. Opt for a private Christmas lights tour to customize the pace and itinerary, covering more ground in just hours. Then, zip past the throngs and head directly inside the Vatican or the Colosseum with a VIP tour, saving your evenings for holiday concerts, dining, and drinking.