All you need to know to visit Rome at Christmas with kids this year. Includes my top tips for a great stay, best family tours and activities and Christmas events in Rome for kids for the Christmas season . A curated list of family friendly things to do in Rome for this holiday season.
The Christmas holidays are an exciting to be in Rome.
Christmas festivities in Rome last from the 8th of December to the 6th of January, and while the usually mild weather doesn’t make for a white Christmas here, the city has several aces up its sleeve, to make sure children have a magical time.
If you visit Rome with kids during the festivities, you can mix and match traditional sightseeing with special seasonal events and have a lovely balance of tourism, kids’ fun and also a bit of an immersion in local life as many of the events attract local families more than tourists!
I am from Rome and these are all my tips to visit Rome with kids at Christmas.
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Rome at Christmas with kids TL;DR (Summary)
The Christmas break is a lovely time to visit Rome with kids, a time when it is easy to mix traditional sightseeing with kids’ fun.
However, it is important to keep a few things in mind:
The heart of Christmas Holidays in Rome go from the 23rd of December to the 6th of January included.
Christmas is peak tourism season in Rome and crowds are intense up to the 6th of January included. Do not expect crowds and prices to drop until then (I see this error done over and over again: looking the first week in January thinking it is low season: it’s the highest!) It is paramount to book ahead accommodation, tours and activities or you may find they are sold out.
Christmas does affect opening hours of things. Specifically, Christmas Eve (24 December), Christmas Day (25 December), St Stephen’s Day (26 December), 1st of January and 6th of January may bring closures to museums and attractions: check the website of what you may wish to book on this day for exact opening hours for this holiday season
Christmas Day is a holiday and many operators give the day off to their staff – this may affect your ability to book tours and activities. You can find here >> how to visit Rome without tours should this be a concern
On Christmas Day and New Years’ Eve you may find many restaurants require reservation and may have a special menu: it is advisable to check ahead and secure a table. Find here >> my recommendations for family restaurants in Rome city center.
The festivities do affect the frequency of public transport: on Christmas Eve, Day, St Stephen’s Day and New Years Day there service is reduced
Christmas in Rome brings winter temperatures although on a bright day you may be able to take you coat off in the hottest hours. Find here >>> my packing list for Rome in December.
Where to stay in Rome with kids at Christmas
If budget allows, I recommend you stay in Rome city centre so you are immersed in the Christmas spirit and you don’t have to worry about public transport schedule.
Places I love specifically at Christmas are;
St Regis Hotel Rome, luxury, fabulous tree and decorations!
Hotel Martis Palace, 4 star hotel, in a spectacular central location just beside Piazza Navona Christmas market (but manages to stay quiet!)
Hotel Mozart, lovely and well located, in a wonderfully well served and beautiful area, easy to walk everywhere
Sightseeing in Rome with kids at Christmas: what to book when
Sightseeing in Rome at Christmas is easy and fun but due to the high number of visitors, it is paramount to secure tickets and tours in advance.
Colosseum: if you want a kids tour, I recommend you book as soon as possible and good ones are few and far between. My absolute favourite one is this one by LivTours which is fun, engaging and private, so that they can tailor it exactly to your kids’ age and interests. With them, you can book as early as 9 months ahead and more as they have special agreements for reserved slots. If you want to book tickets only, they come out for sale 30 days ahead only. The official site is https://ticketing.colosseo.it
Vatican Museums: just like for the Colosseum, if you want a kids tour, I recommend you book as soon as possible and good ones are few and far between. My absolute favourite one is this one by LivTours which is fun, engaging and private, so that they can tailor it exactly to your kids’ age and interests: unlike others, it includes a visit to the Egyptian wing which is fantastic for kids!. With them, you can book as early as 9 months ahead and more as they have special agreements with the museum. If you want to book tickets only, the official site is https://www.museivaticani.va/content/museivaticani/en.html
Best kids’ yours and activities in Rome for kids this Christmas: my top picks!
Golf cart tour to see city highlights with LivTours. A fin way to see a lot of Rome without having to walk much (or at all!). The cart has a roof and plastic sided so it is comfortable in all weather conditions.They can provide car seats for kids and adapt it to all ages: this is a private group and the guides are so good with kids – we had Brando and highly recommend him!
Rome vespa side car tour – almost all ages but not babies or toddlers. This is a super fun tour and usually December in Rome is mild enough that a coat and scarf if enough also with the breeze on a vespa. However, it is definitely not as fun in the rain so maybe, depending on the forecast, a golf cart can be better in this specific season. Definitely an option though!
TOP PICK Colosseum and Roman Forum tour for kids by LivTour with scavenger hunt (primary school and teens). Includes access to the area which is the old stage where gladiators actually fought!
TOP PICK Full Vatican Tour for Kids with LivTours A fantastic, game based tour that includes the highlights of the museums, of course the Sistine Chapel but also the Egyptian part of the museum which is among the most fun for kids
Alternative! Express Tour of the Vatican with Sistine Chapel Express sistine chapel, shorter and focussed on the Chapel more than the rest of the museum, perfect for families with babies/ toddlers/ older teens who don’t need games
Pasta Making Class and gelato demo in Trastevere FABULOUS cooking class in a fun cooking school in one of the most famous and charming foodies districts in Rome. We loved this one and it is a great indoor activity perfect in this colder season
Art class for kids with AJ Lovely artsy activity for kids and a great way to stay out of the cold for a while, while doing something fun and engaging
Mosaic making class in artisan shop in Trastevere: a fantastic art activity in a real artisan workshop (this is not a gimmicky thing for kids, it’s the real thing). Absolutely stunning activity and also a fun way to get a very special souvenir from Rome or handmake a gift for a loved one!
Christmas events in Rome for kids (ongoing updates)
I am always on the lookout for fun events in Rome for my children during this time.
This list is the result of my own research and Christmas events in Rome for kids that can be fun for visitors to the Eternal City, as well as locals.
All the information about these events come from the orgaziers and are subject to change at their discretion. Always check suitability for your family, opening hours for your dates of interest before purchasing.This post is updated as info about events are released for the current year.
Christmas market in Piazza Navona: 1 December 2025 -6th January 2026
A small but kid friendly Christmas market in Piazza Navona, with food stalls, a carousel and a balloon sellers. Not an event you’d travel to Rome for but a cute one to check out as you sightsee this beautiful neighborhood!
From 1st December 2025 to to 6th January 2026. You can read here all the Rome Christmas markets happening this year.
100 Presepi Exhibition / 100 Nativity scenes (8 December 2025 – 6 January 2026)
The 100 Presepi exhibition is a child friendly Christmas event in Piazza San Pietro, at the Vatican.
The event is very differnt form the Christmas atmospheres that star Santa and the Elves and focuses on the spiritual side of Christmas, showcasing nativity scenes made by artisans around the world.
The exhibition is free and enjoyable for kids regardless of religious background and is a chance to get a taste for the tradition of presepe (nativity scene / Christmas crib), which is big in Italy.
The exhibition is free and you access it from San Peter’s Square which is also where you find the Vatican’s Christmas tree and monumental nativity scene.
- When: 8 December 2025 – 6 January 2026
- Where: Under the Colonnade, Piazza San Pietro, Vatican City
Cinecitta’ World Christmas (8 Nov 2025 – 6 Jan 2026)
Cinecitta’ World is one of the best and most beloved theme parks in the Rome and embraces the festive spirit with their Christmas event running from the 8th of November to the 6th of January.
The event brings to the park a decorated Main Street, Christmas market, lights festival, Santa’s house (and the opportunity to meet him, of course), an ice park with ice rink, slides and winter playground, shows and seasonal performances.
The winter playground in particular is exciting as it is an indoor space where you can play on the snow, whatever the weather!
The park is great for kids of all ages as it has themes areas to suit all ages: Christmas Village, Cinecitta’ (this is unique to this park as it inspired by the Cinecitta’ studios and movie sets), space land, far west, adventure land etc.
- Where: Cinecitta’ World, Via Irina Alberti, 00128, Rome
- When: 8 November 2025 – 6 January 2026
You can find tickets to the event on the official park website
Magic Christmas at MagicLand (6 Dec 2025 – 6 Jan 2026)
MagicLand is the biggest amusement park in the Rome area (it is in Valmontone, outside of the city) and a place loved by kids of all ages, including older teems who like more ‘adrenalin’ rides.
For the holidays, the park dresses up in Christmas magic and turns itself into a Christmassy world with decorations and Christmas lights on the Main Street, an eco friendly ice skating rink, Christmas food stalls, Christmas market, and seasonal shows.
It also hosts Santa’s Castle and of course the change to meet the Man himself!
Rainbow MagilcLand is in Valmontone and it is best reached by car.
Seasonal Ice skating rinks
For Christmas 2025 / 2026, ice skating rinks have been announced as coming to the city:
In Piazza Testaccio, from 23 November 2025 to 6 January 2026 (also a lovely foodie district worth visiting!)
In Foro Italico, from 1 November 2025 to 11 February 2026 (also an interesting area for parents into architecture and urban design)
Piazza re di Roma, from 8 December 2025 to 6 January 2026
Christmas World at Villa Borghese 29 November – 11 January
Christmas World is a largest Christmas event in Rome city center and a festive extravaganza, taking place in the grounds of Villa Borghese, one of the best parks in Rome.
For the occasion, the park has acquired a custom built Christmas village spanning over 50,000 sq meters with an impressive festive offering that includes:
- 8 Pavilions with reproductions of cities form around the world
- Music shows and performances
- Ice skating rink
- Ice bumper cars
- Light installations
- Santa’s house
- Kids Playground and carousels
- Life size nativity scene
- Christmas food (including vegetarian and gluten free options)
The event is family friendly and stroller friendly: however, there is on stroller deposit to make sure you only bring the stroller if happy to have it with you at all time.
- When: 29 November – 11 January
- Where: Borghese Gardens
Opening time vary depending on the day: Find info and get your ticket here
Natale al Luneur – Dates to be confirmed
Natale al Luneur is the Christmas event of Luneur theme park, one of the longest running and best established theme parks in Rome.
For the Christmas season, the park dresses up in Christmas attire and becomes a fairytale land inhabited by elves and magical creature with Gingerbread houses, Santa’s Grotto, ‘Christmas shops, ‘snow’men, light installations, Christmas village and small ice skating rink, all under the Ferris wheel the park is famous for.
The park is especially suited to small kids up to tween years. The park rides are suitable for kids of different ages, ranging from carousels and rides for little ones to those open to kids over 130cm like Grande Frisbee
Find Christmas event tickets and info on the rides and height requirements on the park website here
- When: TBC but expected around 7 December 2025 – 6 January 2026
- Where: LunEur Park, Via delle Tre Fontane, 100, 00144 Roma RM, Italy
Trame di Luce light festival NOT YET CONFIRMED
Trame di Luce is a light festival that takes place in the beautiful Botanical Gardens of Rome, which for the occasion acquire light installations and light works by artists from Italy and beyond.
The event is an immersive journey though light and music and while not specifically Christmassy, it has a magical atmosphere that makes it feel seasonal!
The event is suitable for kids of all ages, the earlier time slots being already sufficiently dark to be atmospheric. The garden is stroller friendly.
- Where: Orto Botanico di Roma, Largo Cristina di Svezia, 23 A – 24, 00165 Rome
- When: 30 November 2024 – 6 January 2025
Opening hours:
4.30 pm – 11.00pm, timed ticket available to skip the line. Last admission at 9:30 pm.
Average duration to enjoy the experience: 1 hour
Tickets and additional info here
Top tip! The Botanical Gardens are in Trastevere, a beautiful area famous for atmospheric cobbled streets and food. You can use this event as an opportunity to come to this area and explore. You can find here >>> our Trastevere scavenger hunt for kids to help little ones enjoy the stroll!
This is Wonderland Christmas Edition: Dates not yet confirmed
This is Wonderland is a fun and immersive light show for all ages setup at the gardens in the Euro district.
The event is suitable for all ages and sees fun, with fairy tale themed light installations dotting a large green area with also food stalls, music, a cafe and entertainment. We fist visited in summer, for their Alice in Wonderland edition, and found it fun, imaginative and family friendly.
Once confirmed, You can find info and tickets here
Christmas events in Rome for kids – pin this!
Yes! The Christmas holidays are a lovely time to visit Rome with kids as it is easy to mix sightseeing with kids’ activities and fun
Yes, in Rome there are some specific Christmas events for kids, some free and some ticketed. The Christmas market in Piazza Navona, the 100 nativity scenes exhibition at the Vatican and the Christmas trees lit up in Piazzas are all free to see. Themed days and the theme parks and ice skating rinks are ticketed
Yes, Rome is VERY busy at Christmas, especially from the 23rd December to 6th of January included
No. Rome never stops and Christmas is peak tourism season so you always find things open. However, since Christmas Day (25 December) is a family holiday, many places close on Christmas Day specifically and many tour operators give their staff the day off. The best approach is to plan free and unstructured activities for this day such as strolls end self exploration so you do not depends on other people’s schedules
The Colosseum is open most days during the Christmas holidays but not on Christmas Day. If in Rome at this time, it is paramount to check exact opening days and hours and the official site when planning your trip. The Colosseum is fun and easy to visit with kids and Christmas holidays are a lovely time as often the days are bright and sunny
The Vatican Museums are open most days during the Christmas Holiday but not all as they observed the religious holiday. I recommend to check their official website for exact opening days and hours. St Peter’s Basilica is only open to visitors where there are no Papal celebrations: place check the Pope’s official calendar to plan your visit around it. Vatican City as such (Piazza San Pietro) is always open
It is advisable to book restaurants from Christmas eve dinner, Christmas Day (lunch and dinner) and New Year’s Eve.
As soon as you have your dates, up to 9 months ahead if you are a planner. Of course, last minute plans are also possible but careful with prices as they go up significantly due to the high demand in this season