The calendar from Christmas 2026 to Epiphany
In 2026, Christmas falls on a Friday. The dates to remember:
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| Thursday 24 December | Christmas Eve: Christmas night Mass at St Peter's |
| Friday 25 December | Christmas: Mass of the day and Urbi et Orbi blessing; Colosseum and Vatican Museums closed |
| Saturday 26 December | St Stephen's Day, public holiday; Angelus in St Peter's Square |
| Sunday 27 December | Last Sunday of the month: Vatican Museums free (9:00-14:00) |
| Thursday 31 December | Vespers and Te Deum at St Peter's; New Year's Eve |
| Friday 1 January 2027 | New Year's Day: Colosseum closed |
| Sunday 3 January 2027 | First Sunday of the month: state-run sites free |
| Wednesday 6 January 2027 | Epiphany: end of the festivities, the Befana on Piazza Navona |
The times of the 2026 papal celebrations have not been published; those of 2025 serve as a guide (see below).
Christmas night Mass and 25 December
In 2025, Pope Leo XIV celebrated the Christmas night Mass at 22:00 in St Peter's Basilica, whereas previous popes celebrated it earlier in the evening. He also restored the Christmas Day Mass, at 10:00, then gave the Urbi et Orbi blessing at noon from the central loggia. The 2026 times are to be confirmed: the Vatican usually announces them in December.
Papal celebrations are free but require a ticket. The usual procedure is to apply to the Prefecture of the Papal Household through its booking portal (reached from the "Prenotazione Celebrazioni e Udienze" page of the Vatican website). Tickets are collected from the Swiss Guards at the Portone di Bronzo, under the right-hand colonnade of St Peter's Square. For the Urbi et Orbi blessing, you simply go to the square, no ticket needed. See also our guide to papal audiences.
Arrive very early: security checks are long and the basilica fills up hours ahead. The Vatican dress code applies (shoulders and knees covered): see what to wear in churches and at the Vatican.
From 26 December to Epiphany
On 26 December, the pope recites the Angelus in St Peter's Square. On 31 December, he presides over Vespers and the Te Deum at St Peter's at 17:00 (2025 time). 1 January is the feast of Mary, Mother of God, and World Day of Peace; on 6 January, Epiphany, a Mass is celebrated at St Peter's. The times of these celebrations are published by the Vatican in December.
The Vatican tree and nativity scene
Every year, an Italian or foreign region donates a tree and a nativity scene set up near the obelisk. For Christmas 2026, the Vatican announced a white fir from Terranova di Pollino (Basilicata) and a nativity scene from the Archdiocese of Chieti-Vasto. The inauguration takes place in mid-December (15 December in 2025); the cribs of the "100 Presepi in Vaticano" exhibition, under the colonnade, can be seen for free. Details on the page on Christmas in Rome.
Closed sites and holiday hours
- Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine: closed on 25 December 2026 and 1 January 2027; otherwise winter hours until 16:30 (last entry 15:30). See the Colosseum.
- Vatican Museums: closed on 25 December and on Sundays, except the last of the month (27 December: free, 9:00-14:00). The other public holidays in the festive calendar (8 December, 26 December, 1 and 6 January) should be checked on the museums' website; in 2025-2026, they were closed on 8, 25 and 26 December and on 1 and 6 January. See the Vatican Museums.
- Other museums and restaurants: reduced hours or closure possible on 24, 25, 26 and 31 December and on 1 January; check each place. Fewer restaurants are open at Christmas: book early.
- Transport: service may change on 25 December and 1 January; check ATAC before setting out and see transport in Rome.
Where to stay and how to book
Between Christmas and New Year is the most expensive period of the season: book accommodation and tickets for paid sites well ahead, see where to stay in Rome. For the rest of the month, see what to do in Rome in December, the night of the 31st and Rome in winter.
