The top 10 things to do this Christmas 2025 in Rome

What to do in Rome at Christmas

‘Tis the season to be jolly, and here in Rome jolly doesn’t even begin to explain the level of yuletide cheer and spirit you’ll feel after completing our top ten list of Christmas must-do’s.

Discover the best ways to embrace the holiday spirit in Rome, from admiring in the city’s enchanting illuminations to immersing yourself in the festive atmosphere of Christmas markets.

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Look out for Christmas Trees in Rome

Christmas tree in St. Peter’s Square
Nothing says Christmas quite like a traditional decorated tree, and undoubtedly the most symbolic one is the Christmas tree in St. Peter’s Square. This year, the tree, a majestic red fir, 25 meters tall, comes from Val d’Ultimo in Trentino. The inauguration ceremony will take place on December 7th at 6:30 PM (TBC).

Christmas tree in Piazza del Popolo
Another iconic Christmas tree in Rome is usually set up in Piazza Venezia, but this year, due to the construction work on Metro Line C, it will be moved to Piazza del Popolo. The fir tree will come directly from Como, will be at least twenty meters tall, and, as per tradition, will be inaugurated on December 8.

Christmas Lights in Rome’s Historic Centre
After years signed by major fashion houses, this year no luxury brand will sponsor the Christmas tree in the historic centre: lights and decorations are in the hands of local shopkeepers, in collaboration with Lpgled, a company specialised in light design. The streets of the Tridente will sparkle with luminous spheres and hand-decorated resin ornaments on Via dei Condotti, shimmering garlands along Via del Babuino, and LED lights with neon rings in the main shopping streets. The tree in Piazza del Campidoglio will be inspired by the values of peace, while on the Spanish Steps a 12-metre ecological fir tree is planned.

Indulge in Panettone or Pandoro

By now you have probably noticed the colorful boxes of large round cake-bread stacked in every available corner of Rome’s supermarkets, pasticcerie, and even the local “cinese.”  Although it is considered perfectly acceptable by Italian standards to go hard on the panettone or pandoro of your choice before, during and after Christmas, be advised: not all panettone and pandoro were created equal. Here are some of the best places to purchase pandoro and panettone in Rome:

Le Levain, Via Luigi Santini 22/23 – Via Piave, 9

Antico Forno Roscioli, Via dei Chiavari 34

Walter Musco, Largo Bompiani 8

Gruè, viale Regina Margherita 95/99

Panificio Bonci, via Trionfale 34/36

Cresci, Via Alcide de Gasperi, 11-17

Casa Manfredi, Viale Aventino, 91/93– Via dei Conciatori, 5

Go Ice Skating

Don’t act so surprised, Rome has its fair share of festive holiday rinks for ice skating, even if the weather in December is rarely close to freezing. Rome’s Christmas ice skating rinks are usually in the following locations:

Ice Park Piazza Cavour

Ice Park Piazza Re di Roma

Christmas World, Villa Borghese

Luneur, Via delle Tre Fontane, 100

Natale all’Eur, viale America

Cinecittà World

See some Nativity Scenes

Christmas wouldn’t be complete without the star of the show (Baby Jesus that is, not Santa Claus). To get your fill of nativity scenes for a lifetime, check out the 100 Presepi in Vaticano, the most traditional Christmas exhibition in Rome, or peek into the major churches to see the various forms of Christmas Nativities.

8 December 2025 – 6 January 2026

Colonnato di Piazza San Pietro

Christmas World at Villa Borghese

After the success of previous years, Christmas World returns once again to Villa Borghese, and it does so in grand style, spreading over an area of 40,000 square meters. Christmas World 2025 at Villa Borghese is a true Christmas playground, with new attractions designed for both children and adults. Among the highlights are the “Snow Twister,” a large ice slide in aquapark style, the “North Pole Raceway” with baby cars for the little ones, and the sweet “Little Carousel.”

There’s no shortage of adrenaline-filled experiences like Hyper Jump and ice tracks, as well as iconic installations such as The Tree of Lights, with cabins shaped like Christmas baubles rotating around a large illuminated tree, and the Grand Christmas Carousel, a traditional carousel in a spectacular scenographic version. An open-air event not to be missed for visitors of all ages.

29 November 2025 – 11 January 2026

Villa Borghese
entry fee from €12,50

Gospel festival

One of the best ways to spread some holiday cheer is through music. However, for those of us who were not given the gift of song, caroling is out of the question, nor would we suggest caroling around Rome for that matter. Thankfully, the Gospel Festival hosts a series of holiday concerts guaranteed to lift your spirits.

20 – 31 December 2025

Auditorium Parco della Musica 

Hop on board the largest Ferris wheel Rome has ever seen.

Starting from December 8, the 50-meter Ferris wheel on Viale Oceania will officially be in operation: the largest mobile wheel ever seen in Rome! An unmissable experience to admire Natale Diffuso in EUR from above.

from 8 December 2025

Viale Oceania

Concerts & Masses in Churches

See above. Music = Merriment and Holiday cheer. Attend a free concert in one of the beautiful churches throughout Rome.

Wander Around a Christmas Market

Christmas markets in Rome have always been part of the holiday fun, and they always bring in a certain joy during this time of year. You have the possibility to choose between a wide range of options: from Italian craft to vintage clothing, from Christmas food classics to Japanese decor, discover all the Christmas markets in the city!

Be dazzled by Christmas lights in Rome

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, especially in the winding vicolos and side streets decked with twinkling lights and glowing orbs hung above. Take a stroll down these decorated stradas and admire the Christmas lights, taking in the festive holiday vibes. While you’re at it, try the chestnuts roasting on an open fire…

Via dei Condotti

Palazzo Fendi

Via del Governo Vecchio

Via Giulia

Via del Corso

Via del Boschetto & Via Urbana

Colosseum

Via Vittorio Veneto

Piazza di Spagna

Via del Babuino

Piazza Mignanelli

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Catch a Christmas play or concert

This year the Natale all’Auditorium Festival offers a rich calendar of shows and concerts. The program includes different music concerts, together with the traditional Roma Gospel Festival, one of the most important gospel events in Europe, featuring some of the best voices from the United States. A musical journey that will last more than one month, crossing various places and genres, from classical to jazz, to indie and more.

Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker, in Paul Chalmer’s fairy-tale vision, will be on stage at the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma from 17 to 31 December 2025. The darker, more psychological aspects of the original story give way to an enchanted atmosphere, loved by adults and children alike, where, at the stroke of midnight on a magical Christmas Eve, the dreams and wishes of young Clara come to life.

The Auditorium della Conciliazione will also present The Nutcracker from 18 to 20 December, in an original 2017 production by Balletto di Roma. This dynamic, innovative choreography is enriched by the urban dance actions of LICC / Urban Company, curated by Martina Licciardo.

What’s closed in Rome at Christmas

Rome during Christmas time follows normal opening hours (actually many shops have extended hours till January 6th) except on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Santo Stefano (the 26th of December) and New Year’s Day.

The Vatican Museums will be closed on December 25th and 26th. The Colosseum Archeological Park and the Borghese Gallery will be closed on December 25th and January 1st.

As far as restaurants are concerned, many will be closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (but not all, you’ll find many restaurants offering delicious Christmas Eve and Christmas Day menus, especially in the centro storico). While on New Year’s Eve restaurants are always open – but you should book in advance.

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