Rome events in December 2024 - Holidays, exhibits, concerts, and other things to do

Rome events in December include Christmas holiday dates of course. But there are a few other important things happening this month, too.

Find out all the things to see and do in Rome in December 2024.

Rome events in December 2024 - What's happening

December is a great time to visit Rome for a lot of reasons, not the least of which are the lovely lights and decorations that start going up even before the month begins.

December weather in Rome is cool, which makes it comfortable for sight-seeing. It's also a good time to enjoy some hot Roman lunches and dinners indoors with some good wine.

Keep reading for more info about the best Rome events in December 2024:

• Holidays in Rome in December
• Current exhibits at Rome's museums
• Sports/sporting events in Rome in December
• Free things to do in Rome in December
• Nighttime things to do in Rome in December
• Concerts and operas in Rome in December
• Tours to take in Rome in December
• Day trips to take in Rome in December
• Things to do with kids in Rome in December

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Holidays and special dates in Rome in December

Besides the obvious holiday dates of Christmas and New Year, there are a few other Christmas-related dates as well as non-Christmas related dates to note in December as well.

December 8 - Immacolata/Immaculate Conception

In Italy, the Catholic holiday of December 8, the Immaculate Conception, or Immacolata, is celebrated. Many shops will be closed, but sites are open (except for the Vatican Museums.)

If the 8th falls near a weekend, you can expect it to be busy in Rome.

At noon, you can head to St. Peter's Square to hear Pope Francis give the Angelus (free, lasting about 15 minutes.) 

Another thing you can do on December 8 is visit Piazza Mignanelli near the Spanish Steps.

Every December 8, at 4:30pm, the pope changes the Madonna's wreath at the top of the column there.

In recent years, there has been more and more security, and the event has become more and more popular, so you should expect huge crowds, and should try to get there as early as possible if you want to get anywhere close to the event.

The pope does not do it himself - the firemen do, but he is there for the event. 

Chanukah

Chabad Roma organizes the lighting of the menorah during Chanukah in Piazza Barberini.

In 2024, Hanukkah is from December 25 - January 2.

You can attend the first night's lighting ceremony with Rome's rabbis at sundown on December 25, 2024 but you can also go for the following 7 nights to see each "candle" being lit.

Christmas tree lightings

Several Christmas trees go up around Rome in December, but it seems the one people ask me about the most is the one at the Vatican. 

The Christmas tree in Vatican Square is a relatively new phenomenon (started in 1982 during the pontificate of Pope John Paul II), but it's typically been lit just before Christmas Eve.

The inauguration of the Nativity scene and the lighting of the Christmas tree at Vatican Square has not yet been announced for 2024 - watch this space!

In 2023 the tree that is normally in Piazza Venezia, due to construction, was moved to Piazza Del Popolo for Christmas, but we don't yet know where the tree will be this year.

Christmas Fair in Piazza Navona

Usually, Piazza Navona is THE spot for Rome's Christmas biggest and most festive Christmas Market.

We're awaiting details of whether the Piazza Navona market will be running in 2024.

Current exhibits and events at Rome's museums in December 2024

The cooler fall and winter months are a great time to take in the arts and some art indoors. Some museums stay open later on the weekends.

There are several Rome events in December at various museums around the city.

Here are some special things you can do in Rome in December 2024:

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Visit Rome's Parks and gardens

While December can be a cool month, it can still be a beautiful time to visit a park or garden in Rome.

Rome events in December - Free things to do

If you're looking for some fun Rome events in December that are free, there are a few so far confirmed for 2024.

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Free Sunday Rome events in December 2024

In recent years, we've enjoyed the Free Sunday, in which state sites and museums were free the first Sunday of the month, and the Vatican Museums were free the last Sunday of the month.

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Nighttime things to do in Rome in December

At the beginning of the month, the weather is still really comfortable, even in the evenings.

By the end of December, the evenings can be pretty chilly and of course it is starting to get dark quite early.

But that doesn't mean you cannot enjoy the city after the sun goes down! 

For nighttime tours and Rome events in December, visit Viator.

Rome events in December - Concerts, operas, shows

For more concerts and music Rome events in December, click here.

Tours to take in Rome in December

It's a good idea to take a tour in December.

December can be really busy.

So booking a tour is a good way to make sure you get tickets to the sites you want to visit, and also get to enjoy them without fighting the crowds too much.

And even if it's not too crowded, a tour is a great way to see the sights and get to know a bit about them as you go.

For tours to take in December, start here:

Day trips to take in Rome in December

December is a wonderful time to take a day trip, especially if you want to try some food/wine ventures outside Rome.

We have lots of options for places to visit which you can easily reach within 1-2 hours of Rome. For organized day trips, visit Get Your Guide.

Activities with kids in Rome in December

Whether you are visiting Rome in December for the holidays or just for a short getaway, if you are coming with kids, there are plenty of tours and activities in Rome geared to children of all ages. 

If you're looking for some fun activities with kids, start here:

I've listed some of what I think are the most fun and interesting Rome events in December, and most central. For a complete list of Rome events in December, visit the website of the Rome Tourist Board.