If you’re planning to spend Christmas afternoon in Rome, the city offers plenty of opportunities to unwind after the traditional family lunch. Here is a selection of what will remain operational on Dec. 25, 2025 in the capital.
🎬 Cinema: afternoon shows.
For those looking for a relaxing moment in the warm weather, major movie theaters are not going on vacation. Major circuits such as UCI Cinemas, The Space, and the cinemas of the Cinema di Roma circuit will be active, concentrating programming mainly from the afternoon hours.
🎠 Christmas Villages and Markets.
Piazza Navona: The heart of Rome’s festive season lights up with its historic market and many scheduled events. You can stroll among the antique carousel and stalls of sweets and nativity scenes.
Christmas World (Villa Borghese): This huge theme park surrounded by nature remains open on Christmas Day. It is ideal for ice skating and watching performances by international artists with probably smaller crowds than on standard holidays.
In EUR, at the Laghetto (Viale America), there is a Christmas village operating from November 26 to January 6, 2026.
If you’re in the Prati neighborhood, you can stop by the redeveloped gardens of Piazza Mazzini, where little wooden houses offer crafts and food specialties around the monumental fountain.
Finally, in St. Peter’s Square you can see the majestic monumental nativity scene. Under Bernini’s colonnade you will find the international exhibition of the 100 Nativity Scenes in the Vatican.
🎶 Music and Concerts
On Christmas Day (Dec. 25, 2025), at 5:30 p.m., the Auditorium Parco della Musica will host a performance by the Harlem Gospel Choir at the Sala Sinopoli. The concert by one of the world’s most famous gospel choirs, founded in New York in 1986 by Allan Bailey. You’ll hear an overwhelming mix of classics (such as Oh Happy Day), jazz tunes and soul, focusing on messages of peace, love and spirituality.
Price: Tickets available starting at €35.
Fun fact: The group boasts collaborations with music icons such as Michael Jackson, Bono and the Gorillaz, serving as true ambassadors of African-American culture.
☕ Services and Catering
Bars and Cafes: In the historic center you will easily find establishments open for coffee or hot chocolate. In more outlying areas, however, it is more common to find shutters down on small businesses.
Shopping: Shopping centers will remain closed. If you need to do some last-minute shopping, some supermarkets may have special openings (but it is advisable to check the specific store), while retail stores, especially in the suburbs, will be mostly closed.