Christmas in Rome
Sep 16, 2011
Where to Go, What to See
Believe it or not Rome, Italy is a tourist hotspot come Christmas time. With so many flight deals offered during the Christmas season, many families pick up and decide to celebrate the Christmas holiday abroad. After all, it is the city where Christmas originated. When visiting Rome for the holidays, go to see some of these top attractions:
Saint Peter’s Square
Airline discounts bring in tourists from all over the country for Christmas and most of them flock to Saint Peter’s Square. Every year a gigantic Christmas tree is erected in the center of the square as well as a life-size nativity scene. Midnight mass is held on Christmas Eve by the Pope, who also delivers a live Christmas message at noon Christmas Day. Travelers headed to Rome on cheap airline prices near December 13th can witness the Santa Lucia Day parade hosted in the square as well.
Christmas Tree Sites
Though Christmas trees did not originate in Rome, they are becoming a popular fixture in the city. Flights to Rome bring in tourists ready to witness the Christmas holiday as well as the trees; therefore, some of the popular sites for exquisite and colossal trees on display are:
- Saint Peter’s Square
- Piazza Venezia
- Capitoline Hill
- Next door to the Colosseum
Church of Saints Cosma and Damiano
Nativity scenes are a popular Christmas sight in Rome. Just about every vendor, restaurant, church and hotel has their own nativity scene for tourists arriving on last minute flights to see. The best nativity scenes, however, are located at the church of Saints Cosma and Damiano. These life-size nativity scenes are full of exquisite beauty and erected with extreme care. Though they are best to see in the evening time, they are also crowded with sight-seers.
Christmas Lights and Ice Skating
Rome has taken on American traditions when it comes to celebrating the holiday season. Ice skating and Christmas lights, for example, have become a prevalent fixture in Rome’s Christmas decorations for tourists arriving on flights to Rome to see. The streets all around Rome have Christmas lights strung about and even musicians playing Italian and American Christmas jingles. The Piazza di Spagna offers a large ice skating rink where couples, families and singles can enjoy a little holiday skating. The rink opens daily at 10:00 AM and is open during the night hours for romantic skating under the lights.