Rome plunges into the Christmas spirit and, in keeping with centuries-old tradition, Piazza Navona returns to be the beating heart of the Capitoline festivities with the famous Festa della Befana, a historic event that has its roots over 200 years ago, when it was still held in Piazza Sant’Eustachio.
The 2025/2026 edition, which runs from December 1 to January 6, promises to reinforce Roman identity by combining ancient magic with nighttime vitality.
News and extended openings
One of the main novelties concerns the opening hours, extended to allow Romans and visitors to experience the festive atmosphere late into the night. On weekdays, it will be open from 9:00 am to 1:00 am. On pre-holidays and holidays the hours are: 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.
The event will be symbolically opened by the Mayor of Rome on Dec. 6, with the traditional tour among the exhibitors.
Crafts, Gifts and Flavors.
At the center of the offer is the enhancement of authentic and quality handicrafts, with a focus on “handiwork” and local creativity. Booths will offer: handmade cribs, handcrafted decorations and wooden toys. In addition to handicrafts, there will be no shortage of delicacies such as hot bombs, doughnuts and candies, typical of this festival.
🎠Seralli and Cultural Events.
For the first time, the square will come alive with a full schedule of evening events, offering music, performances and moments of sharing:
- Milonga of Peace (Dec. 20): A highlight in which the square will be transformed into a large outdoor milonga, celebrating togetherness and solidarity.
- Culture for the Little Ones: The Libraries of Rome will curate educational activities, readings and workshops for children, making every visit an opportunity for learning and discovery.
- Shows: During the festive period, Piazza Navona will also host theater performances, concerts and other animations.
Citizen Services.
This year’s edition also enriches the institutional space, dedicating booths to useful services for the community, with the presence of entities such as ATAC, FARMACAP, and entities that deal with social rights, the environment and technology (such as CTE Rome). Several non-profit organizations will also be present for educational activities and health counseling.
The Grand Finale of the Befana
The tradition of the Befana remains a milestone moment, handed down for more than two centuries. As usual, the event will culminate on Jan. 6 with the arrival of the Befana, who will distribute small gifts to little girls and boys, capping off a month of celebrations in style.