In Rome, the holiday season runs from early December to Epiphany on 6 January. [Piazza Navona](/fr/attractions/place-navone) hosts its Christmas fair, St Peter's Square its large tree and monumental nativity scene, and the Pope celebrates Christmas Night Mass in St Peter's Basilica, followed on 25 December at noon by the Urbi et Orbi blessing. Most of it is free: the fair, the nativity scenes on show at the Vatican and the papal celebrations, which require a free ticket from the Prefecture of the Papal Household. The dates of the 2026-2027 edition had not yet been published in early October 2026; the information below is from the 2025-2026 edition.
Highlights
The Piazza Navona Christmas fair
Around the Fountain of the Four Rivers, stalls sell nativity figurines and handmade cribs, wooden toys, decorations and sweets. The 2025-2026 edition, organised by the City of Rome, ran from 1 December to 6 January, daily from 9:00 to 1:00 am, and until 2:00 am on the eve of holidays and on public holidays. Concerts and entertainment are added on some evenings.
The tree and nativity scene in St Peter's Square
Each year, an Italian or foreign region gives the Vatican a tree about 25 metres tall and a monumental nativity scene, set up near the obelisk. In 2025, they were unveiled on 15 December and stayed in place until the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord in January. For Christmas 2026, the Vatican has announced a white fir from Terranova di Pollino (Basilicata) and a nativity scene from the Archdiocese of Chieti-Vasto, with figures in Abruzzo costumes.
Christmas Night Mass
On 24 December, the Pope celebrates Night Mass in St Peter's Basilica. In 2025, Leo XIV set it at 22:00, whereas previous popes celebrated it earlier in the evening. On 25 December, the Mass of the Day is at 10:00, then at noon the Pope gives the Urbi et Orbi blessing from the central loggia.
The "100 Presepi in Vaticano" exhibition
Under the left-hand colonnade of St Peter's Square, more than a hundred nativity scenes from around the world are on display. The 2025-2026 edition brought together 132 cribs from 23 countries, from 8 December to 8 January, daily from 10:00 to 19:00 (17:00 on 24 and 31 December). Entry is free, with no booking.
Arnolfo di Cambio's nativity
The [Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore](/fr/attractions/basilique-sainte-marie-majeure) holds the figures of the nativity scene carved by Arnolfo di Cambio at the end of the 13th century, considered the oldest surviving nativity scene. According to tradition, the basilica also keeps relics of the manger of Bethlehem.
La Befana on 6 January
For Epiphany, the Befana, the old woman who brings sweets to good children and coal to the others, closes the festivities in Piazza Navona; in 2026, she arrived at 14:00. The same morning, the Pope celebrates Epiphany Mass at St Peter's.
Infos pratiques
Tips
For Christmas Night Mass and the Mass of 25 December, request your free tickets from the Prefecture of the Papal Household through its booking portal (linked from the "Prenotazione Celebrazioni e Udienze" page of the Vatican website), then collect them from the Swiss Guards at the Portone di Bronzo (Bronze Door), under the right-hand colonnade of St Peter's Square. The Urbi et Orbi blessing can be followed from the square. The Vatican Museums are closed on 8, 25 and 26 December and on 1 and 6 January. On 31 December, the Pope leads Vespers and the Te Deum at St Peter's at 17:00 (2025 time). Information and prices as observed in October 2026.
How to get there
Piazza Navona, 00186 Rome: buses 40 and 64 from Termini station, Corso Vittorio Emanuele II stop, then a 5-minute walk. St Peter's Square, 00120 Vatican City: metro A, Ottaviano station, then a 10-minute walk.
Nearby
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