Our Complete Guide to the Rome Christmas Lights and Decorations

The holiday season in Rome is magical as the Eternal City lights up, with sparkling Rome Christmas lights and decorations that illuminate the city throughout December and early January.

Rome’s iconic landmarks are illuminated with holiday lights, inviting locals and visitors to stroll through the festive streets to admire grand Christmas trees, nativity scenes, and glittering displays.

Everything you need to know about the Rome Christmas lights

Christmas in Rome would be incomplete without the enchanting glow of holiday lights that bring the city’s historic streets to life at night.

The festive season in Rome feels especially meaningful, as the city surrounds Vatican City - the independent seat of Catholicism - making it an unforgettable destination for spending Christmas.

On this page, I'll be talking about:

• Where to see Rome's Christmas trees
• Where the best Christmas lights in Rome are
• Nativity scenes in Rome
• Christmas decorations at the Vatican
• When the Christmas lights go up in Rome

Where to see Rome's Christmas trees 

Rome’s primary Christmas tree has historically been placed in Piazza Venezia at the start of Via del Corso in front of the Vittoriano building.

However, with ongoing construction on Metro Line C taking over the piazza, the city's main tree has found a new home for the foreseeable future in Piazza del Popolo.

The tree lighting typically takes place on or around December 8.

This holiday is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and the official kick-off of the festive season in Rome and across Italy.

In addition to the tree in Piazza del Popolo, you can also admire the artistic interpretation of a Christmas tree, sponsored by Bvlgari in 2024, which is displayed at the top of the Spanish Steps overlooking Piazza di Spagna.

This year, Bulgari is also overseeing the holiday light installations along the renowned Via dei Condotti.

They are adding a festive sparkle to this iconic shopping street, which is one of my favorite spots to enjoy the Rome Christmas lights.

The luxury brand will be spreading the Christmas cheer across the Italian capital and will be placing 20 additional environmentally friendly trees in various public squares throughout the Eternal city.

The Galleria Alberto Sordi will also get into the Christmas spirit, displaying a large tree in the shopping gallery off of Via del Corso.

Where the best Christmas lights in Rome are

Few things bring the holiday spirit to life quite like the Rome Christmas lights.

I highly recommend putting on your walking shoes and wandering through the city, taking in the beautiful glow of the golden lights.

A can't-miss stretch of Christmas lights in Rome can be found along the famed Via del Corso, where the lights span from Piazza Venezia to Piazza del Popolo.

Other notable streets nearby include Via dei Condotti, leading up to Piazza di Spagna, and Via del Babuino, running parallel to Via del Corso.

This is Rome's main shopping district, so why not do some Christmas shopping while you're there?

Across the river, the charming cobblestone streets of Trastevere come alive with the Christmas spirit.

During the festive period, lights twinkle between the colorful buildings, creating a magical atmosphere.

Other Christmas events

While Christmas markets aren't a traditional part of the holiday scene in Rome, they are becoming more popular, especially in recent years.

Northern Italy and Europe tend to have more expansive Christmas markets than the few you can find in Rome, but there are some fun ones in the Eternal city.

The most noteworthy is the Christmas market in Piazza Navona, which transforms into a festive hub during this season.

The market typically opens around 10 AM and stays open until after midnight.

Take a ride on the charming carousel, browse the stalls selling Christmas wares, and enjoy a tasty treat from local vendors.

After previous years where the market in Piazza Navona was limited, in recent years there has been a lot more going on, with plenty of stalls and decorations.

In Trastevere, the Orto Botanico showcases the whimsical Trame di Luce, a spectacular 1.5-kilometer display of lights in the beautiful gardens.

Be sure to book your tickets early as the event is popular among locals and tourists.

Get a taste of Christmas around the globe, when you visit Christmas World in the Villa Borghese gardens.

Christmas World will be open from November 30 2024 through to January 6 2025. 

Nativity scenes in Rome

While the most famous presepe (nativity scene) in Rome is the one on display in St Peter's Square, you can also visit many other festive installations across the city's many churches.

As you are strolling the streets of Rome, look for signs outside of churches that say presepe, indicating the presence of a nativity scene inside.

We'd recommend checking out these churches and their noteworthy displays on your holiday trip:

• Basilica dei Santi Cosma e Damiano: This historic Neapolitan nativity scene is impressive for its large size and intricate craftsmanship, featuring wooden and terracotta figurines set against a backdrop of ancient Rome.
• Santa Maria in Via: This nativity scene is set in the 19th century and showcases beautifully detailed figures, allowing visitors to step back in time and experience a festive rendition of Rome's past.
• Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore: A true artistic gem, this nativity scene was created by Arnolfo di Cambio in 1291. The basilica also houses a relic of the Holy Cradle, said to be fragments of the manger where Jesus was laid, adding an element of historical significance to this beautiful Christmas display.

Christmas decorations at the Vatican

There's no better way to celebrate this momentous Catholic holiday than with a visit to Piazza San Pietro (St Peter's Square).

Since 1982, you can enjoy the sparkling Christmas tree lights in Saint Peter's Square each year, with the large Christmas tree being placed next to the nativity scene on display. 

This year, a stunning 29-meter-high red fir tree from Ledro, located in the Italian province of Trentino, will adorn the square.

The tree lighting ceremony is set for December 7 at 5 PM.

Next to the tree, you'll find a beautiful nativity scene crafted by around forty volunteers from Grado.

The display will reflect the historical and natural beauty of the Grado lagoon, featuring traditional reed huts and indigenous vegetation that embody the spirit of the region.

In order to fully appreciate the decorations at the Vatican, I highly suggest seeing them before the Christmas season really starts.

The huge events like masses on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, as well as other papal audiences make St Peter's Square crazy busy, so it's harder to see and appreciate the lights and tree.

When do the Christmas lights go up in Rome?

While you might find private businesses spreading the holiday cheer well in advance of December, the city sticks to a fairly traditional schedule for when you can expect to see the official Rome Christmas.

With the Italian holiday season kicking off on December 8, the city truly begins to light up for the festivities on or around that date.

The Christmas season does not end on December 25 however, with festivities lasting through the Epiphany on January 6, so all the lights and decorations stay up until then.