Lights, decorations, gifts, sweets and a hint of magic: this is the fairy-tale atmosphere of festivities in Rome, a unique city made even more irresistible by its majestic decorated fir trees and twinkling illuminations!
The whole city comes alive with great events, lightshows, themed villages, innovative installations, concerts, shows and much more. Find out here all the Roma Live events from 7 December to 6 January.
- MUSIC, SHOWS, IMMERSIVE EXHIBITIONS, LIGHTSHOWS AND SPECIAL EVENTS
- CHRISTMAS MARKETS AND VILLAGES
- CHRISTMAS TREES, ILLUMINATIONS, AND NATIVITY SCENES
- JUBILEE EVENTS UNTIL 6 JANUARY
- HOW TO GET AROUND ROME DURING THE HOLIDAYS
- SHOPPING IN ROME DURING THE FESTIVITIES
- CHRISTMAS FOOD AND WINE IN ROME
MUSIC, SHOWS, IMMERSIVE EXHIBITIONS, LIGHTSHOWS AND SPECIAL EVENTS
Circo Maximo Experience, until 31 December. Even during the Christmas holidays, you can relive the ancient splendor of the Roman Imperial Circus Maximus with augmented and virtual reality. Appointment every day (except Mondays and 25 December) from 10 am to 4 pm, until 2 pm on 24 and 31 December.
The shows at the Planetarium of Rome, until 5 January. At Rome’s Planetarium, the infinite spectacle of the universe will intrigue and fascinate visitors of all age groups. Dedicated specifically to children and their families are Girotondo tra i pianeti (Roundabout among the planets); Accade tra le stelle - con il Dottor Stellarium (Happening among the stars); Il Dottor Stellarium e la stella del primo Natale (Doctor Stellarium and the star of the first Christmas). Entirely in English is the show From Earth to Universe, a stunning voyage through time and space.
Natale Auditorium, until 6 January. Theatre, live music, gospel, circus and children's shows are the main ingredients of the long celebration that transforms the Auditorium Parco della Musica Ennio Morricone into a large stage to fully experience one of the most eagerly awaited periods of the year.
Aggiungi un posto a tavola, until 6 January. Fifty years after its debut, the much-loved musical comedy written by Garinei and Giovannini and accompanied by Armando Trovajoli’s unforgettable music is back on stage at the Teatro Brancaccio.
Laudato sie! Nature and Science. The cultural heritage of Brother Francis, until 6 January. At Palazzo Braschi, the religious sense and wonder for creation from the Canticle of the Creatures to the present day.
Oriental World - The Festival of Chinese Illuminations, until 6 January. At Cinecittà World, more than 220 light installations take us on a discovery of a fairy-tale world steeped in oriental colors and suggestions.
Trame di Luce, until 7 January. Rome’s Botanical Garden is hosting again this year the Christmas immersive sensorial light art exhibition. The new itinerary is animated by new and interactive light installations and works of art, with low environmental impact, to marvel at art, music and nature.
Christmas concert at the Vatican, 14 December. The Paul VI Hall at the Vatican is hosting internationally renowned artists in a unique celebration of the world’s most beloved and most spiritual holiday.
The Nutcracker, from 15 to 24 December. The adventures of little Clara on Christmas night, when she receives a nutcracker in the shape of a toy soldier as a present: the stage of the Teatro dell’Opera hosts Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece ballet, a fairy tale that still excites and brings joy today.
A Christmas Carol Musical, 21-22 December. The Auditorium Conciliazione is hosting the most famous Christmas novel by Charles Dickens adapted into a musical for the whole family: the story and redemption of old Ebenezer Scrooge, a cynical and stingy banker who shuns all human relations.
Roma Gospel Festival, from 21 December to 1 January. At the Auditorium Parco della Musica Ennio Morricone the vibrant and enthralling music of the best ensembles from the United States in Europe’s most important gospel festival, now in its 25th year.
Homage to Franz Liszt. Roma Tre Orchestra, 21 December. The Museo Bilotti celebrates the Hungarian composer, who was also one of the most extraordinary piano virtuosos of all time, with a concert organized by the Roma Tre Orchestra in collaboration with the Capitoline Superintendency.
The Tempietto Christmas Concerts 2024-2025, from 25 December to 1 January. A musical journey between tradition and emotion: in the Chiostro di Campitelli at the Theatre of Marcellus the magic of Christmas merges with the art of music.
Tra sogni e desideri, 29 December. At the Auditorium Conciliazione, the most beautiful Disney soundtracks in a great musical show with Diana Del Bufalo to retrace the fairy tales that have marked our lives.
All you need is Roma, from 9.30 p.m. on 31 December 2024 to 2 a.m. on 1 January 2025, Circus Maximus. Mahmood, Tony Effe and Mara Sattei, three of the most celebrated artists of the contemporary music scene, are the protagonists of All you need is Roma, the highly anticipated third edition of the New Year's Eve concert. Free of charge and dedicated to young Romans and tourists, the evening will be presented by Francesca Romana D'Andrea and Filippo Ferraro, of RDS 100% GRANDI SUCCESS. The party will continue with Don Cash's show and a special DJ set by Mauro Zavada Mandolesi, to keep the fun going even after midnight. The evening will be opened by the athletes of the Ciao Team, the acrobatic taekwondo squad, with their evolutions and acrobatics, a demonstration of adrenalin-pumping and spectacular physical skills and techniques.
We Run Rome - 13 edition, 31 December. The traditional and much-loved road race on the last day of the year: 10 or 5 kilometers through the streets and landmarks of Rome, from the Circus Maximus to Piazza del Popolo, Via Veneto and the Colosseum.
Enrico Brignano - New Year’s Eve Special, 31 December. The Teatro Sistina is hosting a special double date with Enrico Brignano for a New Year’s Eve of fun and light-heartedness.
Tutti i sogni ancora in volo, 31 December. At the Convention Center La Nuvola, Massimo Ranieri presents to the public all the best of his most beloved and prestigious repertoire with timeless songs such as Rose Rosse and Perdere L’Amore.
The Bat, from 31 December to 5 January. At the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma the entertaining and refined ballet by the brilliant choreographer Roland Petit to the music of Johann Strauss.
Rome Parade 2025, 1 January. A spectacular parade with some of the best marching bands and folk bands to welcome the New Year in the heart of Rome, between Piazza del Popolo and Piazza di Spagna.
Les Étoiles, 4-5 January. At the Auditorium Parco della Musica Ennio Morricone an unmissable event for dance and ballet lovers: two evenings in the company of the most acclaimed stars of international ballet performing the most famous ballets from the classical and contemporary repertoire and new creations by choreographers on the crest of the wave.
La ChiaraStella, 5-6 January. At the Auditorium Parco della Musica, Ambrogio Sparagna’s Orchestra Popolare Italiana brings popular songs from Italy's rich sacred folk tradition to the stage in a great celebration involving all audiences.
CHRISTMAS MARKETS AND VILLAGES
Colourful stands and wooden huts, twinkling lights, handcrafted products, games and gourmet delights: much loved by Romans and tourists alike, the Christmas markets are the perfect destination to immerse in the magical atmosphere of the festive season, buy new decorations for the tree, look for original gifts, nibble on a crunchy treat, take a stroll with the family. The oldest in Rome is the historic Befana Market in Piazza Navona, established more than 200 years ago. Dedicated (but not limited) to children are the Christmas Villages: with their animations, themed attractions, shows, parades and wonderful surprises, they are a plunge into the Christmas atmosphere of fairy tales. Find out about all the Christmas markets and villages in Rome for the 2024-2025 festivities in our dedicated page.
CHRISTMAS TREES, ILLUMINATIONS, AND NATIVITY SCENES
A thousand years of history and a unique atmosphere, even more so during the Christmas season when the city is adorned with festoons, illuminations and lights that add charm to all the historic Rioni and districts. The streets and squares of the city are transformed into an enchanted stage for Christmas trees of all types and shapes, small or majestic, set up outdoors but also in shops, shopping centers and hotels. If you wish to immerse yourself even more in the spirit of Christmas, strolling around Rome and entering its churches you can admire nativity scenes of all kinds, from the oldest to the most modern, from cork nativity scenes to those made of papier mache, wood or mother-of-pearl. It is precisely in Rome, in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, that one of the oldest representations of the Nativity is preserved. Find out about all the Christmas trees, illuminations and nativity scenes in Rome for the 2024-2025 festivities in our dedicated page.
JUBILEE EVENTS UNTIL 6 JANUARY
On 24 December at 7:00 p.m., Pope Francis will officially inaugurate the Ordinary Jubilee 2025 with the rite of opening of the Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica, followed by the celebration of the Christmas Eve Mass inside the Basilica: the mass can be followed via the giant screens installed in St. Peter's Square or by registering on the official website portal. Exceptionally, on 26 December, the pontiff will preside over the opening of the special Holy Door in the Rebibbia prison. In the following days, the Holy Doors will then be opened in the other papal basilicas (on 29 December, the Holy Door of the Basilica of St. John Lateran; on 1 January 2025, the Holy Door of the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore; on 5 January, the Holy Door of the Papal Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls). Until 27 January, as part of Jubilee is Culture, at Palazzo Cipolla, you can admire the famous White Crucifixion by Marc Chagall, a masterpiece with profound spiritual meaning. Access is free and open every day from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. A special Info Point in Via della Conciliazione 7 is available to pilgrims and tourists, for more information on the Jubilee.
HOW TO GET AROUND ROME DURING THE HOLIDAYS
From Saturday 7 December 2024 to Monday 6 January 2025, the mobility plan for the Christmas holidays will be active, to facilitate the use of public transport during the festive period with the two free circular lines Free1 and Free2, and the electric line 100, for travel in the Historic Centre, free of charge throughout the festive period. The Metro A and Metro C service will also be intensified, the TPL will be strengthened, and the timetable of the Ztl Centro Storico and Ztl A1 Tridente will be extended from 6:30 am to 8:00 pm every day, even on Saturdays and holidays. And Sharing Mobility will also be strengthened with many offers and promotional initiatives aimed at encouraging the use of shared mobility. Find out more about the Public Transport Plan for the Christmas season 2024-25.
SHOPPING IN ROME DURING THE FESTIVITIES
Make purchases
From luxury stores in the historic center to the small artisan store, from colorful local markets with typical products to antiques and vintage markets for collectors, lovers of design, old-time fashion, and vintage bijoux, from large shopping malls with international brands to outlets dedicated to fashion addicts looking for must-have deals: Rome is an essential shopping destination for all tastes and pockets.
CHRISTMAS FOOD AND WINE IN ROME
Christmas Time in Roman Cuisine
Christmas is an opportunity to be with the family and enjoy the pleasures of eating. To prepare meals with care and passion, people begin several days before the festivity. What kind of food do we find on the Roman tables?
The Roman-style Stracciatella
As one of the dishes that best represent the true essence of Christmas with the family in Rome, Stracciatella is a genuine and humble comfort food, yet tasty and nutritious, that when it comes steaming to the table, envelops the senses and the palate with its spicy perfume and characteristic flavour.
The Roman Pangiallo, the icing on the cake
For those who do not know it, pangiallo is a triumph of honey and dried fruit, with a yellow glaze covering it all. Pangiallo is a "bread" as golden and round as the sun to give with, hoping that the long winter months end quickly.
New Year's Day lunch: stories, anecdotes and recipes of the Roman tradition
When in Rome, you have to do as the Romans do, especially when, on holidays, the city reveals one of its most fascinating aspects: its unique culinary tradition. New Year's Eve in the Eternal City is an extraordinary, almost sacred ritual, lived with the carefree spirit that has always distinguished the Romans. Let's celebrate with a menu dedicated to the Capitoline tradition, discovering ingredients, recipes, and typical dishes of the holiday table, which evoke stories, legends, and suggestions of the past and have a reputation for being good luck for the new year.
Discover more interesting facts and recipes in our Food & Wine section.
This section is continuously updated
Photo: Roma Capitale
