A full guide to Christmas in Rome and Vatican City: festive lights, nativity scenes, markets and how to attend Vatican Christmas Mass.

Christmas in Rome and Vatican City: a complete guide to the holiday season

Christmas is one of the best times to experience Rome and Vatican City. From early December until the feast of the Epiphany on 6 January, the city fills with nativity scenes, concerts, religious celebrations, Christmas markets and long evening walks under festive lights.

The season “officially” begins in early December in Rome, with the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of 8 December, one of the most symbolic days in the Roman calendar. The Pope visits Piazza di Spagna to honor the Virgin Mary, and the entire area fills with Romans who gather to watch the ceremony. 

Christmas Eve (24 December) is a truly atmospheric night. Churches hold evening services, and many Roman families gather at home for dinner. The Midnight Christmas Mass at the Vatican, in St. Peter’s Basilica, is the centerpiece of the night, drawing visitors from all around the world. On Christmas Day (25 December), the Pope’s traditional “Urbi et Orbi” blessing takes place from the balcony of the basilica.

On New Year’s Eve (31 December) there are plenty of outdoor celebrations and concerts, especially around Piazza del Popolo, while the Pope leads the “Te Deum” prayer inside St. Peter’s Basilica.

On New Year’s Day (1 January) there is another Papal Mass and it’s also a perfect occasion for quiet walks through the city. 

The Christmas season in Rome ends on 6 January, the feast of the Epiphany, when Piazza Navona fills with families celebrating the arrival of the “Befana”, a kind witch-like figure in Italian folklore who delivers sweets to children.

The Christmas markets in Rome usually open from early December until 6 January. Piazza Navona’s Christmas market is the city’s most traditional and crowded one, where stalls offer handmade decorations, toys and festive treats under the square’s bright lights.

For something more modern, Cinecittà World, the theme park on Rome’s outskirts, sets up a Christmas-themed village with shows, food stalls and family activities. Other seasonal markets appear across the city, such as the EUR Christmas Village by the pond and Christmas World in Villa Borghese, a large event inspired by international holiday traditions. In Monti, Garbatella and Trastevere, there are smaller neighborhood markets, with handmade gifts and local products.

The Christmas lights in Via dei Condotti and Via del Corso, which charm visitors with their festive decorations, represent another must-see attraction of the season. The nearby Spanish Steps also glow during the holidays, creating a beautiful cascade of lights that blends with the illuminated boutiques around the square. Trastevere glows with warm lights strung through its narrow lanes, and even quieter streets like Via Margutta or Via del Governo Vecchio are adorned with lights in December.

Christmas in Vatican City is especially evocative, with the enormous Christmas tree in St. Peter’s Square and the nativity scene attracting visitors from morning to night to admire the lights or take photos of the square.

Among all the Christmas traditions in Rome, the Christmas Eve Mass at the Vatican is the one people talk about the most. It’s one of the most watched celebrations in the world, and seeing the Pope celebrate it inside St. Peter’s Basilica is something many visitors never forget. The atmosphere in the square is also surprisingly warm: people singing, families waiting together, and a quiet sense of excitement as everyone looks toward the basilica.

Despite its name, the Christmas Eve “Midnight” Mass doesn’t happen at midnight. The celebration begins at 7 pm on 24 December, and tickets are free, although they need to be requested well in advance because seats inside are limited.

If you don’t have a ticket, don’t worry: St. Peter’s Square fills with people who come to watch the Mass on the large screens outside. Many say that being in the square feels just as special, with the lights of the Christmas tree and the basilica all around you. Just make sure to arrive early, as security checks and crowds can take time.

If you’d love to dive into the magical atmosphere of Rome during the Christmas holidays, you can always reach us at info@citylightstours.com. We’ll be happy to help you build a memorable itinerary.