Italy, Europe

Rome in December

Nativity scenes, holiday lights, and papal Christmas events. The week around Christmas and New Year spikes hotels.

GoodCool and often crisp, highs near 55F (13C)

Colosseum, Rome — RomePhoto: Diliff, CC BY-SA 2.5

The straight answer

December is a good month to visit Rome. Nativity scenes, holiday lights, and papal Christmas events. The week around Christmas and New Year spikes hotels.

Weather: Cool and often crisp, highs near 55F (13C)
Crowds: 3 of 5
Prices: 3 of 5

What December is like in Rome

December is cool and often crisp, with highs near 55F (13C). Holiday lights go up, nativity scenes appear in churches, and the Vatican hosts papal Christmas events. Early December is calm and fairly priced. The week around Christmas and New Year gets busy, and hotel prices jump. The city never closes for winter, though many museums close or run holiday hours on December 25 and 26.

It suits families and couples who want a festive city without summer crowds. Early December is the sweet spot for value. If you want the quietest, cheapest Rome, wait until mid January, after the holidays end.

Make the most of December

What is especially good about Rome this month.

Nativity scenes across the city

Churches set up detailed presepi, and hunting for them makes a fun family walk. St Peter's Square has a large one too.

The Piazza Navona Christmas market

The Befana market opens in December with sweets, toys, and a carousel, and runs until Epiphany.

Papal Christmas events

Christmas liturgies at the Vatican draw pilgrims from around the world. Plan ahead if you want to attend.

What to pack for December

A warm coat and a scarf
Comfortable waterproof shoes
Gloves for evening walks
A small umbrella

Our timing tip

Go in the first two weeks of December for holiday lights at fair prices, and book early if you want to be in town for Christmas week.

Book Rome for December.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Rome
Opens a hotel search for Rome in December, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for December
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Rome
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
Rentals on Vrbo
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Rome
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Rome for December. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in December

Christmas and Epiphany season

Early December through January 6

Nativity displays, papal Christmas liturgies, and the Befana market in Piazza Navona.

Things to do in Rome

Full guide

Colosseum, Forum, and Palatine

One combined ticket, best booked weeks ahead in season. Enter at opening or book an evening slot in summer; the Forum has almost no shade.

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Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel

Closed Sundays (except a free final-Sunday opening with huge lines). Book the earliest slot and walk directly to the Sistine Chapel first.

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St Peter's Basilica

Free entry but airport-style security; the line is shortest before 8am. Papal events on Wednesdays and Sundays reshape the square.

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The Pantheon

The best-preserved ancient building on Earth. Now a modest timed-entry ticket; go early or near closing for the light through the oculus.

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Trastevere at dinner

Cross the river for the classic Roman evening. Book the well-known trattorias; walk-ins work on the side streets.

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Borghese Gallery

Strict timed entry with capped visitors, which keeps it civilized even in May. Reserve well ahead; Berninis alone justify the trip.

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Beat the crowds

Book the Vatican Museums' first entry, skip the audio-guide shuffle, and go straight to the Sistine Chapel, then work backward through the collections against the flow.
Do the Colosseum at opening and the Forum in late afternoon; midday is the worst of both heat and tour groups.
The famous fountains and piazzas cost nothing and close never: see them before 8am, then spend the crowded midday hours inside booked, timed-entry sights.
In summer, flip your day Roman-style: sights at dawn, long lunch and rest, back out at 6pm. Evening openings at the Colosseum and Vatican are the season's best-kept tickets.

Know before you go

August around Ferragosto (August 15): many family-run trattorias and small shops close for two to four weeks. Major monuments, the Vatican Museums, and big restaurants stay open. Check any specific restaurant before building a night around it.
The Vatican Museums close on Sundays, except the last Sunday of the month, which is free and ferociously crowded. St Peter's stays open daily but closes to visitors during papal events.
Papal audiences (typically Wednesday mornings) and Sunday Angelus reshape St Peter's Square; visit the basilica on other mornings for the calmest access.
Fixed holidays to plan around: January 1 and 6, April 25, May 1, June 2 (Republic Day), June 29, August 15, November 1, and December 8, 25, and 26. Museums vary between closed and holiday hours on each.

Rome in December, quick answers

Is December a good time to visit Rome?

December is a good month to visit Rome. Nativity scenes, holiday lights, and papal Christmas events. The week around Christmas and New Year spikes hotels.

What is the weather like in Rome in December?

Cool and often crisp, highs near 55F (13C).

Is Rome crowded in December?

Crowds in Rome are moderate in December; timed bookings still help at the biggest sights.

What is happening in Rome in December?

Christmas and Epiphany season (early december through january 6).