What will the Advent markets be like in Rome this year? Program and important information in one place

All roads lead to Rome, so why not those at Christmas.

Beautifully lit streets, historical monuments all around and the smell of traditional delicacies.

During the Advent and Christmas holidays, the Eternal City is even more impressive than ever.

You will love the Christmas markets in Rome.

When and where can you see the most beautiful ones?

Advent markets Rome

The Christmas markets in Rome create a magical Christmas atmosphere , especially after dark, when the lights subtly color the streets and squares, creating the perfect backdrop for finding original gifts, tasting roasted chestnuts, hot chocolate and other typical products from different Italian regions. The sounds of Christmas carols are often heard in the background.

Rome’s Christmas markets are held in many locations, but you can always be sure to be surrounded by magical historical backdrops in the form of world-famous monuments.

Christmas markets in Piazza Navona

Where and when will it all break out?

Program of the Christmas market in Rome

The Christmas market in Piazza Navona takes place in the historic center of the city, on the site of Domitian’s stadium, in a magnificent baroque setting dominated by the Church of Santa Agnes, the Palazzo Pamphili and one of the most beautiful fountains in the city, Bernini’s famous Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi.

For a little over a month, the square is transformed into a wonderful Christmas market that looks like something from a fairy tale. In addition to beautiful stands with Christmas decorations , glass ornaments, nativity figures and typical delicacies, you will also find other attractions here, such as a glittering horse-drawn carousel , a nativity scene and a large Christmas tree .

Every year, events with Babbo Natale (Father Christmas) and the witch Befana, two typical characters of Italian Christmas, are prepared for families with children .

During the markets, an accompanying entertainment program is also held every day, which includes concerts, performances by acrobats, jugglers and much more.

Christmas markets in Piazza di Spagna

Where and when will it all break out?

Piazza di Spagna Christmas market program

Piazza di Spagna has a lot to offer, it’s not for nothing that it’s one of the most famous squares in Rome, and of course there are Christmas markets during Advent.

The market takes place in an impressive location next to the Fontana della Barcaccia and in front of the monumental staircase leading to the Church of Santissima Trinità dei Monti, from where there is one of the best views of Rome .

The stalls offer a number of items that can become a nice Christmas gift, in the vast majority of cases they are handmade products . Of course, I can’t miss sweet and salty snacks and drinks.

Christmas markets and Christmas village at Cinecittà World

Where and when will it all break out?

Cinecittà World Christmas Market and Village Program

Cinecittà World is an amusement park that was created from part of the unused studios of a film studio in Rome. Every year it is transformed into a huge Christmas village, which also includes rich Advent markets .

Upon arrival, you will be amazed by the beautifully decorated and illuminated main street of Cinecittà for Christmas. Design lights impressively illuminate the small houses of the Christmas market, where it will be possible to taste traditional delicacies or buy original gifts under the tree.

A number of special Christmas shows take place throughout the day at various locations. There are dance and theater performances to the sounds of famous Christmas songs and carols.

A big hit every year is the Polvere di Stelle – Il Festival delle luminarie (Stardust – Festival of Lights), or the evocative path of Christmas lights , which guides visitors among fantastic animals, colorful trees, decorations and other special lighting effects.

Families with children will certainly not want to miss a visit to Santa’s house, where they can meet Santa Claus in person. There is a Christmas cinema in the cinema park, which also includes shows in the Gocce di Cinema, where the most beautiful scenes from Christmas films come to life on the water wall.

Real snow and the atmosphere of the North Pole will be offered by the Ice Kingdom , the only indoor snow park in Italy. You can enjoy four attractions here: Pattiniamo (a traditional ice rink), Scivolone and Kamikice (a slide that you go down on rubber boats) or Palle di neve (a winter playground where you can have snow battles with friends).

Opening hours
11/11/2023 – 11/12/2023
18/11/2023 – 20/11/2023
25/11/2023 – 26/11/2023
2/12/2023 – 3/12/2023
8/12/2023 – 10/12/2023
12/16/2023 – 12/17/2023
23/12/2023
25/12/2023 – 31/12/2023
2/1/2024 – 7/1/2024

Admission online
Adults and children up to 140 cm tall: €27
Children up to 140 cm tall: €22
There are also various discounted entrance fees, for example only for the afternoon or family packages.

See what the Christmas village looked like in 2022:

Natale a Cinecittà World

Interesting places in Rome

Rome is rightly said to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world, its historical and architectural heritage is huge. From spring to autumn, the city is often full of tourists.

But if you plan your visit for Advent, in addition to the Christmas markets, you can also enjoy a much quieter visit to famous sights such as the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Trevi Fountain or the Vatican . But the two central squares where the Christmas markets take place are also very interesting.

Piazza Navona square

Piazza Navona is a remarkable example of Baroque. The square is bordered by buildings that grew on the remains of Domitian’s stadium, whose shape and dimensions have been preserved to this day.

The original shape of the current square faithfully copies the perimeter of the ancient stadium, which Domitian had built in AD 86 for athletic competitions and horse races. The remains of this ancient building lie 5-6 meters below today’s street level and can still be seen in the basement of the church of Sant’Agnese in Agone, which is one of the landmarks of the square.

Three fountains adorn the square: the Moorish Fountain, the Calderari Fountain, also known as Neptune’s Fountain, both works by Giacomo della Porta, and in the center of the square the imposing Fountain of the Four Rivers by Gian Lorenzo Bernini.

Piazza di Spagna square

During the pontificate of Innocent XIII. and under the direction of the Roman architect Francesco De Santis, the Scalinata di Trinità dei Monti (Spanish Steps) was built in the early 18th century, a picturesque connection between the slopes of the Pincia, dominated by the Church of the Holy Trinity, and the lower Piazza di Spagna (Spanish Square), which remains today a popular meeting place for the people of Rome.

At the top of the stairs stands the Trinità dei Monti church, founded in 1495, and in the center of the square is the impressive fountain known as the “Barcaccia” by Pietro Bernini. The term “barcaccia” refers to the typical boats used on the Tiber River.