December in Rome begins on the 8th, when the Pope lays flowers at the column in Piazza di Spagna and the city switches its lights on.
Weather#
| Typical | |
|---|---|
| Days | 12 to 13 °C, often sunny |
| Nights | 5 to 6 °C |
| Rain | Less than November |
November is milder and wetter.
What's on#
The Immacolata on the 8th: a public holiday, the lights, the tree in Piazza Venezia, the start of the Piazza Navona market with its sweets and nativity figures. Presepi, nativity scenes, in every church, from the tiny to the monumental at St Peter's and the Santa Maria Maggiore. Christmas Eve mass at the Vatican by free ticket; the Christmas Day blessing in the square for all. The 25th and 26th are holidays. New Year's Eve at the Circus Maximus, lentils at midnight. Things to do in Rome.
What to do#
The 3-day itinerary in low winter light, with the Colosseum and the Forum at their emptiest. The Borghese on a cold afternoon. The churches, which are the real December museums. Castel Sant'Angelo at dusk. Where locals eat in Rome: artichokes, puntarelle, and the fried cod on Christmas Eve.
Crowds and prices#
Quiet and reasonably priced to about the 20th. Then Italians travel for Christmas and visitors arrive for New Year; hotels rise, with the 31st the dearest night. Book that night first.
What to pack#
A warm coat, scarf, gloves, shoes for cobbles, layers for sunny lunches that turn cold at four. Shoulders and knees covered for the churches.
Plan it#
Post your dates on Roavi Community. Roavi has almost no Local Friends in Rome yet; browse who is on Roavi and post early. Italian readers: rent a friend in Italia.
Rome in December? Lights, presepi, and an empty Forum. Find a Roman.
Post on CommunityFrequently Asked Questions
Is December a good time to visit Rome?
Yes. Cooler and drier than November, lit up, with small crowds until the last ten days. The sights are easy to book, and the food is at its most seasonal. Christmas and New Year week is busy and expensive.What is open in Rome on Christmas Day?
Very little. Museums, the Vatican Museums and most shops close on 25 December, and 26 December (Santo Stefano) is also a holiday. Churches are open. Some restaurants serve a set Christmas lunch; book well ahead. The Colosseum closes on the 25th and 1 January.Can I attend Christmas Eve mass at St Peter's?
Yes, with a free ticket requested from the Prefecture of the Papal Household months in advance. Without one, you can watch on the screens in St Peter's Square. The Pope's Christmas Day blessing at noon is open to anyone who comes to the square.What happens in Rome on New Year's Eve?
A free concert and fireworks at the Circus Maximus, crowds in the piazzas, and restaurants serving the cenone, a long set dinner with lentils for luck. The metro runs late. New Year's Day is quiet and most things are closed.