Over Christmas 2026 the Vatican Museums are closed on December 8, 25 and 26 and on January 1 and 6. The Colosseum closes only on December 25 and January 1. Tickets for the papal Christmas Masses are free and must be requested in advance from the Prefecture of the Papal Household. The nativity scene, the tree in St. Peter’s Square and the Urbi et Orbi blessing need no ticket at all.
Rome is a great place to spend Christmas, but the city runs on a holiday calendar. Museums close on days you might not expect, St. Peter’s Basilica can shut for liturgies, and on December 25 much of the city simply stops. Here is what is open on each key date, how the papal Masses work, and what you need to book now.
Christmas 2026 in Rome at a Glance
| Date | Vatican Museums | Colosseum | What else to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tue Dec 8 (Immaculate Conception) | Closed | Open | Public holiday. Traditionally the Pope pays homage to the Virgin Mary at Piazza di Spagna in the afternoon, with big crowds. |
| Thu Dec 24 (Christmas Eve) | Open | Open (winter hours) | Shops and transport wind down in the evening. Midnight Mass at St. Peter’s is in the evening, by ticket only. |
| Fri Dec 25 (Christmas Day) | Closed | Closed | Christmas Day Mass and the Urbi et Orbi blessing at St. Peter’s. Most shops and many restaurants are closed. |
| Sat Dec 26 (St. Stephen’s Day) | Closed | Open | Public holiday in Italy. Expect crowds at every open site. |
| Sun Dec 27 | Open, free entry, short hours (last Sunday of the month) | Open | Free means very long queues. Not a good day for a first Vatican visit. |
| Thu Dec 31 (New Year’s Eve) | Open | Open | Te Deum at St. Peter’s in the late afternoon. Restaurants are fully booked for dinner. |
| Fri Jan 1 (New Year’s Day) | Closed | Closed | Papal Mass in the morning. A slow, quiet day in the city. |
| Wed Jan 6 (Epiphany) | Closed | Open | Epiphany Mass at St. Peter’s. Piazza Navona’s Christmas market ends with the Befana. |
Outside these dates, the Vatican Museums open Monday to Saturday, 8 am to 8 pm (last entry 6 pm). The Colosseum runs on winter hours, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm (last entry 3:30 pm). Both can change at short notice, so check the official sites the week before you go.
Papal Christmas Masses: How Tickets Work
The main celebrations led by the Pope take place inside St. Peter’s Basilica. In 2025 the schedule was:
- Christmas Eve Mass: December 24, 10 pm
- Christmas Day Mass: December 25, 10 am, followed by the Urbi et Orbi blessing, traditionally at midday, from the central balcony
- Vespers and Te Deum: December 31, 5 pm
- New Year’s Day Mass: January 1, 10 am
- Epiphany Mass: January 6, morning
The Vatican confirms each year’s times only a few weeks ahead, so treat these as a guide until the 2026 calendar is out.
How to get tickets:
- Tickets are free. They are requested from the Prefecture of the Papal Household using its booking form, months ahead if possible.
- Christmas Eve is by far the hardest to get. Expect a “no”, or tickets that give you a place in the Basilica but no seat.
- Approved tickets are collected in person in the days before the celebration, near St. Peter’s Square.
- Never pay for a “papal Mass ticket”. Anyone selling one is selling something that should be free.
No ticket? You still have options. Large screens in St. Peter’s Square show the main celebrations, and the Urbi et Orbi blessing on Christmas Day is in the open square. Arrive early, because security checks take time when crowds are large.
What’s Free at the Vatican Over Christmas
- The nativity scene and the Christmas tree in St. Peter’s Square. They are usually unveiled in early December and stay up into January.
- The “100 Presepi” exhibition under the colonnade, with nativity scenes from around the world. Read our guide to the 100 Nativity Scenes at the Vatican.
- St. Peter’s Basilica itself, outside liturgy times. The catch is that over the holidays it closes to visitors before and during papal celebrations, sometimes for most of the day.
Getting Around and Eating on December 24–26
- Public transport runs a reduced service on Christmas Eve evening and on Christmas Day. Check ATAC’s holiday timetable rather than assuming normal frequencies.
- Taxis are harder to find on the evening of the 24th and on New Year’s Eve. Pre-book transfers if you have a flight or a Mass to reach.
- Restaurants: Christmas Eve and Christmas Day lunch are family occasions in Italy. Many places close, and those that open usually serve a fixed holiday menu. Book a table as early as you can.
- Shops close early on the 24th and most stay shut on the 25th.
What to Book Now (and What Can Wait)
Book as soon as your dates are set:
- Vatican Museums for December 22–24 and 28–31. These open days are squeezed between closures, so demand piles onto them. A pre-booked Vatican highlights small group tour takes the queue out of the equation. Note that St. Peter’s Basilica access on morning tours depends on the papal schedule over the holidays.
- Papal Mass tickets, if you want to try.
- Restaurant tables for December 24, 25 and 31.
Can wait: the nativity scene, the tree, Piazza Navona’s market and the Christmas lights along Via del Corso and Via Condotti. None of them need a booking.
If you only have a short window between the holidays, a private tour of Rome in a day fits the main sights into one well-planned day around the closures.
Is Rome Worth Visiting at Christmas?
Yes, if you plan around the calendar. The atmosphere is special, the weather is mild compared with northern Europe, and the city looks its best in the evening lights. The trade-offs are real, though. The Vatican Museums are closed on five of the eight key holiday dates, the open days are busier than usual, and December 25 is a day to be with people, not to tick off sights. If your trip includes the days between Christmas and New Year, plan the Vatican first and keep the 25th for a long lunch and a walk.
Staying until the new year? Read about New Year’s Eve traditions in Italy and the Epiphany feast that closes the season on January 6.
FAQ
Are the Vatican Museums open on Christmas Day?
No. The Vatican Museums are closed on December 25 and 26, and also on December 8, January 1 and January 6.
Is the Colosseum open on Christmas Day?
No. The Colosseum closes on December 25 and January 1. It is open on the other holiday dates on winter hours, with last entry at 3:30 pm.
How do I get tickets for Christmas Mass with the Pope?
Request free tickets from the Prefecture of the Papal Household well in advance. Christmas Eve tickets are very limited. If you don’t get one, you can follow the Mass on the screens in St. Peter’s Square.
Do I need a ticket for the Urbi et Orbi blessing?
No. The Urbi et Orbi blessing on Christmas Day is given from the Basilica’s central balcony to the crowd in St. Peter’s Square, and no ticket is needed. Expect security checks and arrive early.
Is St. Peter’s Basilica open over Christmas?
Yes, but it closes to visitors before and during papal celebrations, which can take up most of the day on December 24, 25 and 31 and January 1 and 6. Check the papal calendar before you plan your visit.
Is public transport running in Rome on Christmas Day?
Yes, but with a reduced service, and it stops earlier on Christmas Eve. Check the ATAC holiday timetable and pre-book taxis or transfers for anything time-critical.
