In December in Rome, the shopping streets are full and the museums are empty. There are many nativity scenes to see, festive streets and stores.
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December in Rome
Until the middle of the month there are hardly any tourists in Rome. Accommodation is therefore cheaper and even very good hotel can be booked cheaply. We always recommend choosing accommodation in the center, between the Spanish Steps and the Tiber River or even in Monti, between Via Nazionale and the Colosseum. You can then reach the most beautiful places on foot and rarely need public transport. Read our information about Hotels in Rome.
How cold it is
Temperatures are usually higher in Rome in December than in northern Europe. In the morning the air is cold and there can be fog. As long as the sun shines, it is pleasant. In the evening and at night it is cold. It can get frosty cold at the turn of the year.
Climate data December
| Tmax Ø | 12°C/53.6°F |
| Tmin Ø | 5°C/41°F |
| Sunshine hours Ø | 3.5 |
| Days with rain Ø | 10 |
Source: www.wetter.com
It can rain occasionally in December and there can be lightning storms. The rain does not last long, but it is very intense. Everything gets submerged within a few minutes and you have to find a shelter. After 15 or 30 minutes, everything is usually over again.
At the turn of the year there are often strong cold winds and in some years it can be quite uncomfortable with a long drizzle.
Since you spend a lot of time outdoors in Rome, you need warm clothing and rainwear. Also important in Rome are comfortable shoes, as you will be walking a lot and the walkways are often bumpy.
What’s on?
Enjoy the spirit of the Christmas season, stroll the shopping streets, visit museums and nativity scenes and enjoy the rustic Roman cuisine. Temperatures are mild and there is no frost.
There are concerts from classical music to current Italian youth culture and some nice Christmas markets.
Christmas Shopping
Italian fashion is known worldwide and everyone will envy you for your purchases.
In December, the shops are particularly attractive. They are beautifully decorated for Christmas and the shopping at the mild temperatures in Rome is very pleasant.
The luxury brands can be found around Via dei Condotti, which leads from the Spanish Steps to Via del Corso. Along Via del Corso you will find shops in all price ranges.
A special consumption temple is the department store La Rinascente in via del Tritone. In the basement you can visit the ancient aqueduct which supplies water to the Trevi Fountain and the fountains in Piazza Navona. On the roof terrace you have a wonderful view over the city.
Also in the side streets around Piazza Navona and around Campo de ‘Fiori there are many nice little shops and boutiques.
Other shopping streets are Via Cola di Rienzo and Via Appia. The Via Marconi and the Via Tuscolana as well as the newly built shopping centers are too far away from the center for most tourists. Read about shopping in Rome.
Welcome to Rome Multimediashow
In the center of Rome, between the Vatican and Piazza Navona, a 30-minute multidimensional film show and an exhibition with interactive models await you.
Corso Vittorio Emanuele II 203 
Bus 46, 62, 64, 916 C.so Vittorio Emanuele / Navona
Opening hours
St. Peter’s Basilica
Basilica 7 am – 6:30 pm – dome 8 am – 5 pm – treasure 9 am – 5:15 pm
More information about St. Peter’s Basilica>
Vatican Museums
9 – 4 Closing 6:00 p.m. Admission until 5 p.m. on Dec. 9 and 27-30. The Museums are closed on Sunday and Dec. 8, 25 and 26. Free admission is Sunday Dec. 24.
Details on the Vatican Museums>
City museums and national museums
In Rome, some of the museums belong to the municipality and some to the state.
The city’s museums include the Capitoline Museums, Trajan’s Markets, Imperial Forums and numerous other museums. National museums include the Colosseum, Castel Sant’Angelo, Borghese Gallery and many more. For the full list of museums, opening times and tickets, see our Rome Museums page.
Free entry
For all museums of the Municipality of Rome, such as the Capitoline Museums and the Markets of Trajan, admission is free on December 3. Also in the National Museums the entrance is free on December 3, for the most part without reservation.
Exhibitions Rome December
Events
Porta Portese Market
every Sunday 7:00 – 14:00 Flea market & antiques
between Porta Portese and Via Ippolito Nievo
Ponte Milvio Market
Antiques market every Sunday
Between Ponte Milvio and Ponte Duca D’Aosta
Traffic-calmed Sunday
December 3, Traffic-calmed Sunday – driving ban for private vehicles with combustion engines in the city center
7:30 am – 12:30 pm, 4:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Audiences of the Holy Father in December
General audiences of the Holy Father take place on Wednesdays at 9 am.
The Pope’s Angelus prayer takes place on Sundays, with the exception of December 3, and on December 8 at noon in St. Peter’s Square.
Masses of the Pope
In December there are papal masses on Christmas Eve and on December 25th. There is also a Vesper in the afternoon of December 31st.
Blessing Urbi et Orbi
At noon on December 25th, the Pope gives the blessing to the city and the world Urbi et Orbi from the loggia delle benedizioni.
Saturday 9 December 5 pm Inauguration of the Christmas crib in St. Peter’s Square
For more information see our article on Christmas in Rome
Sport
ATLETICOM WE RUN ROME
10 km run and 5 km run
Dec. 31, 2023 14:00, Stadio delle Terme di Caracalla
https://werunrome.com/
Christmas
Concerts
Rome has a lively music scene. Many pubs and music venues offer live music, especially on weekends. Classical music can be found in many churches and palaces.
Rome’s Music Park
A jewel is the Parco della Musica, built by the internationally known architect Renzo Piano, in northern Rome on Via Flaminia. See all events here. Events and tickets
Tram 2
There are several auditoriums and an open-air stage in the Parco della Musica. There are performances in all styles.
Some events are also organized together with the Casa del Jazz. Events and Tickets Casa del Jazz
Bus 160, 671, 714, 792
Amusement parks
In Rome and the surrounding area there are a few parks that offer a welcome change. However, in winter they are mostly only open on weekends and public holidays. The parks are decorated for Christmas and the children can get to know Santa Claus.
Luneur
The Luneur Park offers many rides. It is located in the south of the city in the EUR district on Via Cristoforo Colombo. The opening times in winter are irregular, mostly Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., in summer daily until midnight. On the Luneur website you can see the calendar with the opening days. Bus connections are lines 30, 170, 714 and 791, Colombo / Agricoltura stop. From there it is 750m to the entrance on Via delle Tre Fontane 100.
Cinecittà World
Cinecittà World is a theme park with numerous rides. It is located next to the outlet center Castel Romano on Via Pontina between Rome and Pomezia. The park is open 11 – 19 on the following days: 2.+3.12, 8.-10.12, 16.+17.12, 25.-30.12. On New Year’s Eve the park is open until after midnight.
The park can be reached by car or by regional buses. There is a shuttle bus to the adjacent outlet center from Termini station. Cinecittà World tickets
About Roman cuisine in winter, shopping and excursions read Winter in Rome.
