Christmas traditions are very strong in Italy and in particular in Rome where the Vatican reigns. The celebrations around the nativity are more than honored here and the city revives all the habits and customs that are linked to it. Flamboyant decorations, lively markets, live nativity scenes, masses, traditional music and festive tables: to spend Christmas in Rome is to plunge fully into a magical atmosphere and to be dazzled by the folklore that only the Romans have the secret of..
Planning a trip to the Eternal City at a time other than Christmas? Discover the 21 must-see places in Rome !
The Christmas decorations
The streets of Rome are decked out in their finest finery during the holidays, the entire historic center is decorated and illuminated according to a theme that changes every year. The most dazzling of these is the Via del Corso, which is decorated along a 1.6 km stretch. The area around the Pantheon and the Colosseum are also sparkling with lights. To embrace this festival of lights, climb the Gianocolo hill, which offers a panoramic view of the city: a unique and enchanting spectacle.
The many trees
Another highly respected tradition: each district of the city has its own tree and each one competes with the others in terms of garlands and decorations. The most beautiful are in Piazza Venezia, in front of the Colosseum and of course in the Vatican. Installed in front of St. Peter's Basilica, it dominates the square with its 28 meters height. Since 1982, this tree is offered by a different European region, this year it is Poland that has given this majestic tree from the area of Varmie.
The great Christmas market
Throughout the month of December, Piazza Navona hosts "Il mercatino delle befana", the city's great Christmas market. It is a pleasure to stroll among the handicraft stands that display a plethora of nativity figurines, wooden toys and representations of the famous befana, the Christmas witch! The air is filled with the scent of mulled wine and roasted chestnuts, and the laughter of children from the merry-go-rounds. At nightfall, the square comes alive with the arrival of jugglers, painters and musicians.
The cribs
In Italy in general and in Rome in particular, the making of cribs is an art and the Romans are all crazy about it: there are more than 3,000 cribs throughout the city during the holidays! The most impressive is the one in the Vatican, the characters are human-sized and the construction is 20 meters wide. To admire other beautiful creations, go to the Trinità dei Monti, Piazza Navona and the churches of St. Louis of the French and Sant'Agnese in Agone.
Mass and Papal Blessing
Among the unique moments to experience during the Nativity celebrations, the midnight mass is not to be missed. The Pope presides over this Christmas mass in St. Peter's Basilica on December 24. The next day, he delivers his famous "Urbi et Orbi" blessing from the central loggia of St. Peter's Basilica. The Pope also recites the Angelus from the Apostolic Palace on December 26, St. Stephen's Day. But if you can't attend these audiences, there is always a door open on Christmas Eve in one of the 900 churches in the city.
The Vatican Museums
On the morning of December 24 and every last Sunday of the month, the Vatican Museums open their doors free of charge to visitors. An opportunity - as if one were needed - to discover their fabulous collections of art and antiquities. The main museums are the Vatican Picture Gallery, the Pio-Clementino Museum and the Egyptian Gregorian Museum... But the highlight of the show is the dazzling Sistine Chapel and its vault covered with sumptuous frescoes that narrate the episodes of Genesis, under the brush of the master Michelangelo
Ice rinks
During the holidays, temperatures in Rome can reach 15°C, but many ephemeral skating rinks are set up during this period. The most famous is the Auditorium Parco della Musica, a gigantic open-air auditorium that welcomes thousands of skaters. In some years, a track is also set up in front of Castel Sant'Angelo, which stays open until midnight next to a beautiful Christmas market. Other ice parks animate the districts of San Giovanni, Fiumicino and Pomezia.
The Zampognari
Tradition and folklore are honored every year by numerous musicians in shepherd's costume called Zampognari. They come down from Abruzzo wearing a cape and a black hat and you can see them walking through the streets playing an instrument that is the ancestor of the bagpipe: the Zampogna. Since the beginning of time, these shepherds come down from the mountains to the cities to celebrate the birth of Jesus.
The passeggiata
The passeggiata, the walk, is a centuries-old tradition in Italy: at the end of the day, just before dinner, families go out for a walk to see and be seen, to meet and share. All generations mingle in this custom and for some there is no question of not going out in their best clothes! Thus, the passeggiata has become an institution, especially the day after Christmas! What a pleasure to be totally immersed in this joyful atmosphere and to be able to exchange with the Romans, quite proud to show off the gifts they have received!
Panettone tasting
Traditional Italian dessert, the panettone is on every table during the Christmas holidays. This bell-shaped molded brioche is soft and deliciously filled with raisins and candied fruit peel. It is served in vertical slices, accompanied by asti spumante or moscato. Today, there are many different flavors and sizes, some weighing up to 5 kg. Its origin remains a mystery to this day and is the subject of many legends, but don't tease the Romans about it: for sure, they invented it!
Want to know more? Check out our article Visit the Colosseum in Rome: practical advice and tickets !
