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Seasonal Events

Winter

Distance view of St. Peter's Basilica in nighttime near Rome Luxury Suites

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS

  • December 8: L'Immacolata, celebrates the immaculate conception, and kickstarts the Christmas season: cue decorations and nativity scenes, including a life-size version at St Peter’s.
  • December 24: There’s a (free) ticketed Midnight Mass on Christmas eve at St Peter’s Basilica. Midnight mass at Santa Maria Maggiore is less busy than St Peter’s, and a great event in a beautiful basilica.
  • December 25: Pope Francis gives his Christmas blessing at noon from the balcony overlooking St Peter’s Piazza.
  • December 8 – January 6: Visit the Christmas market in Piazza Navona with stalls selling sweets and presepe figures.
  • New Year’s Eve: Celebrated with fireworks, usually centered on Circus Maximus, and visible from rooftops such as at Babuino 181.
  • New Year’s Day: At noon is the ‘Tuffo nel Tevere’ - divers dive into the Tiber River.
  • January 6: On Epiphany, the arrival of the Magi (three kings) is celebrated with a medieval parade along Via del Conciliazione carrying gifts for the Pope, who will say a 10am mass in St Peter’s.
  • January 4: Rome’s Retail Sales begin and run till 15th February.
  • February: Carnivale takes place before the start of Lent, usually in February, with costumed parades close to Rome Luxury Suites.

 

WINTER FOOD:

  • White truffles are in season: taste the best at Rome Luxury Suites’ EMME restaurant.
  • Campagna Amica farmers’ market, with foodstuffs and tastings, takes place close to Circus Maximus, from 10.30am to 7pm Saturday and Sunday.
  • Delicious winter produce on the menu includes fennel, radicchio and cavolo nero.