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Search for the town, the city, the area where you want to go and consult the contents of VisitItaly

Christmas Time in Rome

St. Peter's Basilica in Rome at Christmas. Italy
St. Peter's Basilica in Rome at Christmas. Italy

The long season awaited is here again, Christmas time. If you are planning to spend your Christmas in Rome, consider yourself lucky. Spending Christmas in Rome gives one an exceptional feeling which cannot be easily forgotten. If you are thinking of where to spend this year’s Christmas holiday, think no further than Rome. 

 

Rome gives one an experience to discover and explore a world of ancient traditions mixed with colourful symbols and Christmas folklore. In Rome Christmas holidays start from the Christmas Eve and ends at 6th January. During the Christmas in Rome, the cultural tradition takes the stage. Family members and friends come together with a variety of foods being served. During this festive season, the centre of attraction lies on a Christmas tree and a Nativity crèche. Whether you are a Christian or not, I assure you a Christmas spend in Rome is incredible. You will be exposed to the Italian lifestyle and the religious activities being performed. Rome is not only a top city in Italy but it has also a reputation to be the city where the celebrations for Christmas started.

 

Christmas markets in Rome

During this enchanting season, several markets are open in readiness to usher in this important occasion. Some of the Christmas markets in Rome include Piazza Navona, Ice Park Christmas Village, among others. 

 

The Ice Park gives you an opportunity to taste all kinds of the typical products. The shopping place is warm characterized by the joyful atmosphere. Tourists can not only shop in this place but will also have a lifetime event in sporting activities such as ice skating. Besides this they will also experience stunning world class performance which is aimed at making them stay entertained all through. 

 

Navona square is also a Christmas market in Rome. It’s one of the most famed and well known in the city. It’s open from early December till Epiphany, 6th January. This market is characterized by beautiful squares in Rome. One can buy gifts, sweets, toys, typical foods and coloured lights in this market. 

 

Piazza Re di Roma is another Christmas market in the area. It opens from early December till the Christmas Eve. Things you can buy here include decorations, toys, gifts, Christmas lights, typical foods and Christmas sweets. 

 

Piazza Caprera is another Christmas market in Rome. It’s founded in Piazza Caprera square and one can buy things like gifts, typical foods and lights here. Other Christmas markets include Mercantino Natalizio di Fiumicino and Flamino Stadium.

 

Traditions

Christmas in Rome start as early as December 8. The events are kicked off with decorations. In Rome although gifts are given out on Christmas day, most of them are given out on Epiphany, January 6. Christmas trees and decorations mark the peak of the celebrations. The lights can be seen as early as December or late November. 

 

The Nativity crèche is also a centre of attraction with many people around the globe travelling to witness it. The family eats the meatless dinner on the Christmas Eve and thereafter a midnight mass is attended. The most famous traditional food in Rome is fish. Christmas Eve mark the time when the meal is served. Traditional bonfires highlight the celebration of Christmas. They bonfires are lit on the square of town (main). Rome’s tradition is not so much diversified from the rest of Italy but its stands as one of the unique cities in Italy due to the size of the Christmas market, the Christmas trees which are many, and nativity displays.

 

Why visit Rome at Christmas

The history of Rome coupled by the religious festivities makes Rome astounding place to spend your Christmas. The worshipping, ice skating, nativity scenes, Christmas lights, Christmas trees, delicious traditional meals, seeing the pope, Auditorium celebration of Christmas among other reasons makes Rome the place to be. 

 

The city’s buildings are exceedingly beautiful. Comfortable temperatures give you the serene environment to spend your Christmas holiday. 

Touring Rome can add value to your life and trust me it will be a memorable event.

Written by Dave Mitchell - Last update: 24/11/2021

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