Christmas Events for Kids in Rome (2026)

Christmas Events for Kids
Written by Kelsey Cecil

17 min read · Leggi in italiano

For 2026, we confirmed 26 Christmas events for kids in Rome. The season opens on November 7 with Christmas at Cinecittà World (Natale a Cinecittà World) and runs until January 10 with Christmas Garden Roma. Of these, 2 are free. Every listing links straight to the host. This page is part of our guide to Christmas events for kids in Italy.

The short version

  • Kids’ Christmas events confirmed for 2026 in Rome and Valmontone: 26
  • First: Christmas at Cinecittà World (Natale a Cinecittà World), Rome, November 7
  • Free events: La Befana in Piazza Navona (The Befana in Piazza Navona) and Il bosco delle storie di Natale (The Forest of Christmas Stories)

Below is every event we could confirm, grouped by town, with the date, time, cost and the small things parents ask about (registration, ages, what is included).

At a glance: Christmas events for kids in Rome

Kids’ Christmas events
26 confirmed for 2026
Towns
Rome and Valmontone
Season
November 7 to January 10
Free events
2
Last checked

Free 2Ticketed and paid 24

Free Christmas events for kids in Rome

Christmas marketFree

La Befana in Piazza Navona (The Befana in Piazza Navona)

Expand to see the parent tip

The Festa della Befana in Piazza Navona is the big Christmas event for Roman children, a tradition that carries the city through to Epiphany. Roma Capitale has confirmed the 2026-2027 edition with a public notice that selects social, educational, cultural and entertainment activities designed for children, teens and families, from December 1, 2026 to January 6, 2027.

The detailed program of activities and stalls has not been published yet, so it is worth checking the city's channels again at the end of November. The square is right in the center, a few steps from the Pantheon, and it is easy to combine the visit with a walk among the lights of the historic center.

Parent tip: The city will announce the program of children's activities: check times and activities before you go, especially around January 6, when the square is very crowded.

Host
Roma Capitale (opens in a new tab)
Where
Piazza Navona, 00186 Rome (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Roma Capitale (opens in a new tab)

New events in Rome every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Rome every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Rally’s Christmas research

Rally the corgi has 25 more Rome events researched for you.

  • New events every week We research new events daily and send you one email a week with the new ones we find in Rome.
  • Exclusive access to free events Be first to hear about new free events in Rome.
  • Unlock the filters Find Santa visits, free events and weekend plans in one tap.
  • Rally’s Christmas Eve Express and a free advent calendar Get early access to Rally the corgi’s Christmas Eve tracker, plus a free digital advent calendar to count down to Christmas.
  • One-tap add to calendar Save any event to your Google, Apple or Outlook calendar so you never miss it.

Coming up on this page

  • 24 Shows
  • 11 Santa
  • 3 Story time
  • 2 Lights
  • 2 Free

Enter your email to get new Christmas events in Rome every week.

Free. One email a week with new events in Rome. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy

Christmas showFree

Il bosco delle storie di Natale (The Forest of Christmas Stories)

Expand to see the parent tip

Teatro del Lido di Ostia hosts a show of live actors and puppets for children ages 4 and up, loosely inspired by the tales of Selma Lagerlöf and Nordic legends. On Christmas Eve night, in Lou's bedroom, the books and words come alive and the play mat turns into a snowy forest.

Every year Lou prepares a little room for her Tomte, the gnome who looks after animals and children, but after a snowstorm he does not arrive. A brave robin sets off to find him and save Christmas. The show is by Drogheria Rebelot with Miriam Costamagna, part of the series for young audiences supported by Roma Capitale, and admission is free.

Parent tip: The Tuesday 10 am time falls right before the holidays. Admission is free, but check the association's website beforehand in case reservations are needed. Expect it to be in Italian.

Host
Affabulazione ETS (opens in a new tab)
Where
Teatro del Lido di Ostia, Via delle Sirene 22, 00121 Rome (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Affabulazione ETS (opens in a new tab)

New events in Rome every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Rome every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Ticketed and paid Christmas events for kids in Rome

Admission, tickets or a fee apply. Where a host has not posted a price yet, the listing says so.

The #1 spot Event hosts: free events are listed first. One featured spot puts your event at the very top of this page.Ask about the #1 spot

Visit with Santa

Christmas at Cinecittà World (Natale a Cinecittà World)

Expand to see the parent tip

For the whole holiday season, Cinecittà World, the movie-themed amusement park on the Via Pontina, turns its Christmas Street into a 1930s New York full of lights, garlands and giant packages. Children can meet Santa Claus (Babbo Natale) in his House, drop letters at the Elves' post office, play at Joyful Town and get Christmas-themed face painting, with the Christmas snowfall and the ice skating rink.

Shows are on the program too: the opening show Welcome, It's Christmas, the new musical “Il posto delle cose perdute” (The Place of Lost Things) and “Elf Express, Lettere dal West” (Elf Express, Letters from the West). The season closes on Jan 6 with the arrival of the Befana, the kindly witch who brings gifts on January 6. The park is open on weekends, holidays and throughout the Christmas break from 11 am to 6 pm.

Parent tip: Children under one meter get in free; it is best to buy online and check the opening calendar on the website before you go.

Host
Cinecittà World (opens in a new tab)
Where
Cinecittà World, Via di Castel Romano 200, 00128 Rome (opens in maps)
Registration
Recommended
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Cinecittà World (opens in a new tab)

New events in Rome every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Rome every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Visit with Santa

Il Fantastico Castello di Babbo Natale (Santa's Fantastic Castle)

Expand to see the parent tip

Castello di Lunghezza, on the far eastern edge of Rome, is once again Santa's home. Your ticket lets you visit the secret rooms of the Lord of the Holidays: the Throne Room, the bedroom, the sleighs, the Toy Factory with the Elves at work, and the Snow Fairy.

In the park there are free shows and entertainment with the castle's characters, and the organizers promise meetings, photos and autographs with all of them. Before your visit, children can email their letter to Santa and then look for it on the wish board in the Toy Factory. The castle is open on weekends from mid-November to the end of December, plus December 8 and the day of the Befana, the kindly witch who brings gifts on January 6.

Parent tip: Last entry is at 4 pm, and online sales close at 3 pm on the same day. Children under 2 get in free but you need their tax code (codice fiscale).

Host
Il Fantastico Castello di Babbo Natale (opens in a new tab)
Where
Castello di Lunghezza, Via della Tenuta del Cavaliere 230, 00132 Rome (opens in maps)
Registration
Recommended
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Il Fantastico Castello di Babbo Natale (opens in a new tab)

New events in Rome every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Rome every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Christmas lights

Christmas Garden Roma

Expand to see the parent tip

For about two kilometers, the Orto Botanico garden turns into an immersive path of lights, sounds and nature. The light installations and soundscapes are also created by international artists, and every corner of the trail offers a different setting. The organizers present it as an experience suited to visitors of all ages.

Entry is in timed slots, every half hour from 5 to 9 pm. Children ages 6 to 14 pay a reduced rate, and through age 5 entry is free. For families there is a ticket that covers 2 adults and 1 to 2 children between 6 and 14. There is also a flexible ticket, valid on any open day, for those who prefer to decide at the last minute. Some evenings the trail is closed, so check the calendar before choosing your date.

Parent tip: Dress in layers, since you walk outdoors in the evening. Before buying, check the website for open days and for the student and over-65 discounts from Monday to Thursday.

Host
Christmas Garden Roma (MC² Live) (opens in a new tab)
Where
Orto Botanico di Roma, Largo Cristina di Svezia 24, 00165 Rome (opens in maps)
Registration
Recommended
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Christmas Garden Roma (MC² Live) (opens in a new tab)

New events in Rome every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Rome every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Christmas show

Lo schiaccianoci (The Nutcracker)

Expand to see the parent tip

Opening the Christmas season in Rome are the students of the Teatro dell'Opera Ballet School, who perform Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker, a ballet in a prologue and two acts based on the tale by E.T.A. Hoffmann. The show is a Teatro dell'Opera di Roma production and is staged at Teatro Nazionale, on Via del Viminale.

Seeing very young dancers, some barely older than the audience, bring the story of Clara and the Nutcracker to life is a special thrill for children who take dance. The easiest shows for families are the weekend ones, Saturday, November 28 at 6 pm and Sunday, November 29 at 4:30 pm. The weekday 11 am shows are meant mainly for schools.

Parent tip: The morning shows are during school hours, so the weekend of November 28 and 29 works best for families. Prices and tickets are on the Teatro dell'Opera website.

Host
Teatro dell'Opera di Roma (opens in a new tab)
Where
Teatro Nazionale, Via del Viminale 51, 00184 Rome (opens in maps)
Registration
Required
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Teatro dell'Opera di Roma (opens in a new tab)

New events in Rome every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Rome every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Christmas show

Canto di Natale (A Christmas Carol)

Expand to see the parent tip

Ebenezer Scrooge is a lonely old miser who hates Christmas and thinks only about money. On Christmas Eve night he is visited by the ghost of his late partner Marley and, one after another, by three spirits: those of Christmas Past, Christmas Present and Christmas Yet to Come. Among memories of his youth and the bleak vision of his own fate, Scrooge gradually rediscovers the value of generosity, affection and compassion.

The show, based on Charles Dickens, is directed by Serena Renzi and performed by the Compagnia degli Audacini in the 2026/2027 children's theater season. There are three shows, all on Saturday afternoons at 4:30 pm, with a single €10 ticket for adults and children. You buy online by choosing the date and then a free seat on the theater's seating chart, or by calling the box office.

Parent tip: After choosing the date you can pick a free seat on the theater's seating chart. The box office answers at 06 94 37 60 57 for information and reservations. Expect it to be in Italian.

Host
Teatro degli Audaci (opens in a new tab)
Where
Teatro degli Audaci, Via Giuseppe De Santis 29, 00139 Rome (opens in maps)
Registration
Recommended
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Teatro degli Audaci (opens in a new tab)

New events in Rome every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Rome every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Christmas show

L'avventura della Freccia Azzurra (The Adventure of the Blue Arrow)

Expand to see the parent tip

The Teatro Verde, a historic children's theater in Monteverde, opens December with a sweet, slightly wistful fairy tale loosely inspired by Gianni Rodari's Freccia Azzurra (The Blue Arrow). The toys displayed in the window of the Befana's shop, the Befana being the kindly witch who brings gifts on January 6, decide to run away to reach Francesco, a boy who cannot afford them, chased by the Befana and her servant Terenzio.

The company Teatrino dei Fondi tells the story with actors, colorful cutouts and shadow theater, talking to children about friendship, solidarity and hope. The show is recommended for ages 5 to 10, and after the performance Santa Claus (Babbo Natale) comes to greet the young audience. A nice way to get into the holiday mood with a classic of Italian children's literature.

Parent tip: You can book at the box office (06 5882034), but the ticket must be picked up by 4 pm on the day of the show; seats are assigned at purchase, so it is best to arrive early. Expect it to be in Italian.

Host
Teatro Verde (opens in a new tab)
Where
Teatro Verde, Circonvallazione Gianicolense 10, 00152 Rome (opens in maps)
Registration
Recommended
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Teatro Verde (opens in a new tab)

New events in Rome every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Rome every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Christmas show

Un Natale tira l'altro: la vera storia di Babbo Natale (One Christmas After Another: The True Story of Santa)

Expand to see the parent tip

Artide, the ice princess, accompanied by two funny, eccentric penguins, tells the most beautiful Christmas traditions and legends. Her memories lead back to the story of a rich toy maker who thinks only about selling and making money, and of his assistant Rudolph, forced to work even on Christmas Eve.

That night Artide steps in on Rudolph's behalf and makes life difficult for the toy maker, who ends up giving the toys to the neediest children. And what if he moved to the North Pole to devote his life to others? It is an original and funny legend about the birth of the Santa myth, his symbols and the places tied to him. The show, by Massimo De Giorgio for the Ridikulus company, is part of the season Bambini a teatro (Children at the Theater). There are four shows: Saturday, December 5 and Sunday, December 20, both at 3 pm and at 5:30 pm. A full-price ticket costs €12.

Parent tip: There are two show times each day, so you can pick the more convenient one. Buy tickets online on the theater's website. Expect it to be in Italian.

Host
Teatro Marconi (opens in a new tab)
Where
Teatro Marconi, Viale Marconi 698E, 00146 Rome (opens in maps)
Registration
Recommended
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Teatro Marconi (opens in a new tab)

New events in Rome every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Rome every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Christmas show

A Christmas Carol

Expand to see the parent tip

For the long Immacolata holiday weekend, Teatro Ghione, near St. Peter's, stages Charles Dickens's most famous tale. Victorian London comes to life on stage with snow, cold and evocative music, and the story of Scrooge and the three Christmas spirits invites young and old to think about past, present and future.

The cast is a company of twelve actors with the choir of the Margot Acting School, directed by Valentina Cognatti, and the show lasts about 100 minutes. With the reduced price for children under 12, it is a good chance to introduce kids to a Christmas classic. There are two shows a day, including the afternoon ones on Sunday and on December 8.

Parent tip: It runs 100 minutes and suits children from primary school age up. The afternoon shows on December 6 and 8 are the easiest with little ones. Expect it to be in Italian.

Host
Teatro Ghione (opens in a new tab)
Where
Teatro Ghione, Via delle Fornaci 37, 00165 Rome (opens in maps)
Registration
Recommended
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Teatro Ghione (opens in a new tab)

New events in Rome every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Rome every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Christmas show

Come il verdemostro guastò il Natale: Il Grinch (How the Green Monster Spoiled Christmas: The Grinch)

Expand to see the parent tip

For the Immaculate Conception long weekend, the Teatro Verde stages the story of the Grinch, the green monster who wants to ruin Christmas for the Whos (the Nonsochì) and ends up discovering its true meaning. The company Nata Teatro of Arezzo tells it as a musical fairy tale: a passionate narrator and two multi-instrumentalist musicians play live and lead the children into the story.

The show is made for children ages 4 to 10 and lasts just the right length for the youngest. At the end, as in all the theater's Christmas shows, Santa Claus arrives to visit the audience. The performances are Monday, Dec 7 and Tuesday, Dec 8 at 5 pm, so it is a good idea for a festive family afternoon.

Parent tip: Phone booking at the box office, 06 5882034, held until 4 pm; online tickets are non-refundable and cannot be changed to another date. Expect it to be in Italian.

Host
Teatro Verde (opens in a new tab)
Where
Teatro Verde, Circonvallazione Gianicolense 10, 00152 Rome (opens in maps)
Registration
Recommended
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Teatro Verde (opens in a new tab)

New events in Rome every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Rome every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Christmas show

Babbo Natale e il mistero dei giocattoli scomparsi (Santa and the Mystery of the Missing Toys)

Expand to see the parent tip

Teatro Le Maschere, a children's theater between Trastevere and Monteverde, presents a new Christmas production written by Carla Marchini. In Santa's workshop the preparations are in full swing: toys to build, packages to wrap and letters to read, with Nana and the elf Baltazar working nonstop.

But Torvo Natale lurks in the shadows. He hates the holiday because as a child he never received gifts or care, and he tries to sabotage everything with tricks and disguises. It is a fable about emotions, empathy and the chance for everyone to become better, suited to children ages 3 to 10. Shows are at 4 pm on the December Sundays and holidays, and also on January 3 and 6.

Parent tip: A ticket costs €10 online instead of €12, and the theater recommends buying ahead to be sure of a seat. Expect it to be in Italian.

Host
Teatro Le Maschere (opens in a new tab)
Where
Teatro Le Maschere, Via Aurelio Saliceti 1/3, 00153 Rome (opens in maps)
Registration
Recommended
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Teatro Le Maschere (opens in a new tab)

New events in Rome every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Rome every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Christmas show

Babbo Natale: Il Musical (Santa: The Musical)

Expand to see the parent tip

The musical Babbo Natale tells the story of Santa and the magic of the holidays, combining songs and narration with scenes, costumes and light effects. The show is made for children and adults together and revolves around values such as sharing, generosity, family and hope.

In Rome the date is Tuesday, December 8, 2026, the Immacolata holiday (Feast of the Immaculate Conception), at Teatro Italia. The listed start time is 9 pm, so it suits older children or families who can stay up late on a holiday.

Parent tip: The show starts at 9 pm: consider the time against your children's ages. Check the address and the current price on the ticket page. Expect it to be in Italian.

Host
Ticketone (opens in a new tab)
Where
Teatro Italia, Rome (opens in maps)
Registration
Recommended
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Ticketone (opens in a new tab)

New events in Rome every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Rome every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Christmas show

Un Magico Natale con Carolina (A Magical Christmas with Carolina)

Expand to see the parent tip

On the Immacolata holiday (the Feast of the Immaculate Conception), Teatro Brancaccio hosts Carolina Benvenga, a face children love on TV and social media, with her show Un Magico Natale con Carolina, written with Morena D'Onofrio and co-produced with Sony Music. It is a musical show full of songs and choreography, made to get little ones dancing and singing.

The story: children rehearse dances and songs to wish each other well before the holidays, but a heavy snowfall traps them at school and they risk missing the party. It is their teacher Carolina who, with a bit of magic, helps them not lose heart and discover the value of working together. There are two shows, at 3 pm and 6 pm.

Parent tip: Dates with Carolina sell out fast: buy early and choose your seating area to fit your budget (balcony seats from €28). Expect it to be in Italian.

Host
Teatro Brancaccio (opens in a new tab)
Where
Teatro Brancaccio, Via Merulana 244, 00185 Rome (opens in maps)
Registration
Required
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Teatro Brancaccio (opens in a new tab)

New events in Rome every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Rome every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Christmas show

Sherlock Elf e il mistero di Babbo Natale: il musical (Sherlock Elf and the Mystery of Santa: The Musical)

Expand to see the parent tip

Something incredible has happened at the North Pole and the most magical night of the year is in danger. Sherlock Elf, the youngest detective among the elves, must solve riddles, follow secret maps and gather hidden clues before it is too late. The show mixes live music, dance, comedy, illusions and stage effects, and gets the audience involved in the investigation.

It is produced by Nuovo Teatro Parioli for the Parioli Kids series, lasts about an hour in a single act and is made for children and families. There are two shows, Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning. On Sunday, after the show, the theater's bistro offers a brunch: you reserve ahead and it costs €15 on top of the ticket, or it is included in the Golden Pass, an offer for two people with front-row seats. Tickets are bought online on Vivaticket.

Parent tip: If you want the Sunday brunch, reserve it ahead. The program may change, so check the times on the ticket page. Expect it to be in Italian.

Host
Teatro Parioli Costanzo (opens in a new tab)
Where
Teatro Parioli Costanzo, Via Giosuè Borsi 20, 00197 Rome (opens in maps)
Registration
Recommended
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Teatro Parioli Costanzo (opens in a new tab)

New events in Rome every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Rome every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Christmas show

Un Natale a testa in giù (Christmas Upside Down)

Expand to see the parent tip

On Christmas Eve, two rather clumsy elves, instead of preparing the packages, start playing with the gifts meant for children. That night they get lost on a wonderful journey and for the first time discover the magic of Christmas themselves.

The show by the Disequilibre company mixes acrobatic acts, circus numbers and clowning, and is made for young and old. But time is running out and Christmas is near: will the elves manage to deliver the gifts on time and not spoil the holiday for children all over the world? There is only one show, Saturday, December 12 at 3 pm, at Teatro Marconi in Rome, in the season Bambini a teatro (Children at the Theater). A full-price ticket costs €12 and is bought online.

Parent tip: There is only one show, so it is best to buy your ticket ahead. Expect it to be in Italian.

Host
Teatro Marconi (opens in a new tab)
Where
Teatro Marconi, Viale Marconi 698E, 00146 Rome (opens in maps)
Registration
Recommended
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Teatro Marconi (opens in a new tab)

New events in Rome every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Rome every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Carol concert

Natale con il Coro Voci Bianche e Start (Christmas with the Children's Choir and Start)

Expand to see the parent tip

In the family series Tutti a Santa Cecilia, the Coro Voci Bianche (Children's Choir) and the Coro Voci Bianche Start of the Academy take the stage of the Sala Sinopoli for their Christmas concert, conducted by Claudia Morelli. They are girls and boys between 8 and 16 who study vocal technique during the year and also take part in the Academy's symphonic productions.

The repertoire ranges from Renaissance polyphony to contemporary composers, and the concert is the occasion when the young singers share the year's work with the audience. For children who love to sing, it is inspiring to see peers perform in a real concert hall. The single-price ticket costs €8, an affordable price for the whole family.

Parent tip: Tickets on TicketOne or at the Auditorium box offices; the 6:30 pm start is also convenient after school.

Host
Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia (opens in a new tab)
Where
Auditorium Parco della Musica, Sala Sinopoli, Viale Pietro de Coubertin 30, 00196 Rome (opens in maps)
Registration
Recommended
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia (opens in a new tab)

New events in Rome every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Rome every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Christmas show

Lo Schiaccianoci, Balletto di Roma (The Nutcracker)

Expand to see the parent tip

Twenty years after its debut, Balletto di Roma's The Nutcracker, seen by more than 120,000 people across Italy, returns to Teatro Olimpico in a new production. Tchaikovsky's famous fairy tale is brought into the present: Clara, caught between childhood and adolescence, lives in a world where dreams, social media and technology mix.

The magic of the music stays intact, one of the best-loved scores ever written, along with the Christmas story that enchants children. For families, the easiest show is the Saturday afternoon one at 4:30 pm. The theater charges a reduced price for under 12s and reminds visitors that every person needs a ticket, even small children.

Parent tip: Entry is allowed only with a ticket, whatever the age. Buying online adds a €1.50 fee per ticket.

Host
Teatro Olimpico (opens in a new tab)
Where
Teatro Olimpico, Piazza Gentile da Fabriano 17, 00196 Rome (opens in maps)
Registration
Required
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Teatro Olimpico (opens in a new tab)

New events in Rome every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Rome every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Christmas show

Chi ha rapito Babbo Natale? (Who Kidnapped Santa Claus?)

Expand to see the parent tip

This is the Christmas production of the Teatro Verde's own company, winner at the Premio Città di Aosta. The year is 2054, in a city where shows and fun are banned, and even Santa Claus (Babbo Natale) has vanished. It is up to detective Filo to follow the clues among shadow play, puppets, dolls and a nasty mayor to find him.

Between mystery, music and laughter, the story takes the children all the way to the solution of the case, and in the end Santa Claus, free again, celebrates with the audience in the hall. The theater suggests ages 5 and up (even up to 105), so it works for siblings of different ages. The performances are on the Saturday and Sunday before Christmas at 5 pm.

Parent tip: The last weekends before Christmas fill up fast: better to buy online or book at 06 5882034 and pick up by 4 pm. Expect it to be in Italian.

Host
Teatro Verde (opens in a new tab)
Where
Teatro Verde, Circonvallazione Gianicolense 10, 00152 Rome (opens in maps)
Registration
Recommended
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Teatro Verde (opens in a new tab)

New events in Rome every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Rome every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Christmas show

Natale con Crescendo Corale (Christmas with Crescendo Corale)

Expand to see the parent tip

The young singers of Crescendo Corale, the choir of the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, perform under the direction of Vincenzo di Carlo to wish everyone a merry Christmas. The concert is part of the series Tutti a Santa Cecilia (Everyone to Santa Cecilia), designed for families, and takes place in Sala Petrassi at the Auditorium Parco della Musica.

During their lessons the young singers develop choral singing through exercises in pitch, listening, music reading and vocal technique. The repertoire ranges from classical to folk music, with multi-part songs that gradually become more complex. The ticket is a single price for all seats and costs €8. The same day, at 11 am in the same hall, there is also the Christmas concert of the Laboratorio Corale, the choir of the youngest children.

Parent tip: All seats are one price, so it is best to buy ahead.

Host
Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia (opens in a new tab)
Where
Auditorium Parco della Musica Ennio Morricone, Sala Petrassi, Viale Pietro de Coubertin 30, 00196 Rome (opens in maps)
Registration
Recommended
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia (opens in a new tab)

New events in Rome every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Rome every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Christmas show

Natale con il Laboratorio Corale (Christmas with the Laboratorio Corale)

Expand to see the parent tip

The Laboratorio Corale of the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia performs under the direction of Vincenzo di Carlo to wish everyone a merry Christmas, sharing emotion through the harmony of many small voices. The concert is part of the series Tutti a Santa Cecilia (Everyone to Santa Cecilia) and takes place in Sala Petrassi, at the Auditorium Parco della Musica.

The Laboratorio Corale course introduces children to choral singing through pitch, listening and music reading, with a first approach to vocal technique. Learning uses modern teaching methods, along with movement and targeted musical games, in an educational and fun setting. The ticket is a single price for all seats and costs €8. The same day, at 12:45 pm in the same hall, there is also the Christmas concert of Crescendo Corale.

Parent tip: All seats are one price, so it is best to buy ahead. If you want to stay for the day's second concert, it starts at 12:45 pm.

Host
Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia (opens in a new tab)
Where
Auditorium Parco della Musica Ennio Morricone, Sala Petrassi, Viale Pietro de Coubertin 30, 00196 Rome (opens in maps)
Registration
Recommended
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia (opens in a new tab)

New events in Rome every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Rome every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Carol concert

Natale con la JuniOrchestra Kids e Teen (Christmas with the JuniOrchestra Kids and Teen)

Expand to see the parent tip

The JuniOrchestra of the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, founded in 2006 and winner of the Praemium Imperiale, celebrates Christmas with a concert in the Sala Santa Cecilia of the Auditorium Parco della Musica. On stage are the Kids 1, Kids 2 and Teen groups, young instrumentalists ages 6 to 18, conducted by Simone Genuini.

The noon start on the Sunday before Christmas is convenient for families, and seeing children their own age play in a big orchestra is an experience that strongly affects the little ones. The ticket is a single price of €8. After the concert you can take a stroll around the Auditorium area, which comes alive in December for the holidays.

Parent tip: Single price of €8: buying early gets you better seats; tickets are sold on TicketOne and at the box offices of the Auditorium and of via Vittoria 6.

Host
Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia (opens in a new tab)
Where
Auditorium Parco della Musica, Sala Santa Cecilia, Viale Pietro de Coubertin 30, 00196 Rome (opens in maps)
Registration
Recommended
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia (opens in a new tab)

New events in Rome every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Rome every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Christmas show

Storie di Natale (Christmas Stories)

Expand to see the parent tip

The Teatro di Roma and the Piccola Compagnia of the Piero Gabrielli Laboratory renew their readings under the tree at the Teatro India. They read the Christmas stories of Gianni Rodari, the author closest to the Laboratory's heart, along with the unpublished Babbo Natale.com (Santa Claus.com) by Bernard Friot and Una strana lettera a Babbo Natale (A Strange Letter to Santa Claus) by Andrea Valente.

The best part is the improvisation: following the rules of the Grammatica della Fantasia (Grammar of Fantasy), the actors invent ever-different stories with the children, such as a Befana, the kindly witch who brings gifts on January 6, who runs out of fuel for her broom. The show lasts about an hour and is recommended for ages 4 and up. The performances cover almost all of the Christmas break, from Dec 22 to Epiphany, always at 5 pm.

Parent tip: Runs 60 minutes; the children's ticket costs €7 and the TdR card nuove generazioni (€24 for 4 admissions) could make a Christmas gift. Expect it to be in Italian.

Host
Teatro di Roma (opens in a new tab)
Where
Teatro India, Lungotevere Vittorio Gassman 1, 00146 Rome (opens in maps)
Registration
Recommended
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Teatro di Roma (opens in a new tab)

New events in Rome every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Rome every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Christmas show

Babbo Natale va in pensione: Speciale Capodanno (Santa Retires: New Year's Eve Special)

Expand to see the parent tip

Tired of the fact that the good old values no longer exist on Earth and that modern children prefer high-tech gifts to simple ones made with love, Santa decides to retire. His wife, the Befana, finds herself with a big problem and asks the quirky Papà Ferragosto for help in convincing the old man to change his mind and save the spirit of Christmas.

It is a hilarious, interactive story for young and old, with room for reflection on the true meaning of Christmas. The company is Ridikulus and the text is by Massimo De Giorgio. On the evening of December 31 there are two shows: at 7 pm, with doors and entertainment from 6 pm, and at 10 pm with a toast and celebration at midnight. For the 7 pm evening the full ticket costs €25, while for the 10 pm one it costs €45. There is a reduced rate for people with disabilities. The show is part of the season Bambini a teatro (Children at the Theater).

Parent tip: The 7 pm show, with welcome from 6 pm, suits the youngest better. The 10 pm show includes the midnight toast. Expect it to be in Italian.

Host
Teatro Marconi (opens in a new tab)
Where
Teatro Marconi, Viale Marconi 698E, 00146 Rome (opens in maps)
Registration
Recommended
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Teatro Marconi (opens in a new tab)

New events in Rome every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Rome every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Saint Nicholas visit

La Befana Gospel

Expand to see the parent tip

As every year, the Befana celebrates her day at the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia with a musical show for families, recommended for ages 4 and up. On stage are the Academy's JuniOrchestra and Cantoria conducted by Simone Genuini, a narrator and the actress Nadia Perciabosco as the Befana.

The thread of the story is the magical Libro della notte (Book of the Night), which comes alive with the rhythm and singing of the audience: the Befana leads young and old on a journey through the sounds of gospel, turning choral singing into a moment of shared joy. It is a different and cheerful way to close the holidays on the afternoon of Jan 6. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Parent tip: Children must enter with a responsible adult; tickets only from TicketOne and the official box offices of the Auditorium and of via Vittoria 6. Expect it to be in Italian.

Host
Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia (opens in a new tab)
Where
Auditorium Parco della Musica, Sala Santa Cecilia, Viale Pietro de Coubertin 30, 00196 Rome (opens in maps)
Registration
Recommended
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia (opens in a new tab)

New events in Rome every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Rome every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Christmas events for kids in Valmontone

Santa Claus parade

Magic Christmas 2026 (Valmontone)

  • When: Nov 7, 2026 to Jan 6, 2027, on the park's open days
  • Where: MagicLand, Via della Pace, 00038 Valmontone (opens in maps)
  • Cost: Park entry from €14.90 online; 'Kids free up to age 10' and in any case free under 90 cm: check the conditions on the website
  • Ages: The whole family, kids free up to age 10
Expand to see the parent tip

At the Valmontone park, Christmas lasts from November 7 to January 6. In Santa's Kingdom (Regno di Babbo Natale) you meet Santa, take a souvenir photo and receive a gift. There is also the Fabbrica delle Bollallegre (Bubble-Joy Factory) with the little elves, the Jingle Park with themed inflatables, and Aurora: Lights of Wonder, a show under the planetarium dome.

The day is paced by set appointments in the square: the welcome at 10:15 am, meeting the characters at 10:30 am, 1:45 pm and 3:50 pm, the Christmas parade at 12:30 pm and the grand finale at 5:30 pm. At the Gran Teatro Alberto Sordi, at 3:00 pm and 4:30 pm, the musical 'Lucy e il segreto di Natalloween' (Lucy and the Secret of Natalloween) runs from November 7 to 29 and 'Lucy e il mistero della magia perduta' (Lucy and the Mystery of the Lost Magic) from December 5 to January 6. From 1:00 to 2:30 pm you can have lunch at the self-service restaurant with the characters. The park stays open with its usual rides.

Parent tip: The park is not open every day, so check the calendar on the website before you leave. Buying online costs less than at the ticket window.

Host
MagicLand (opens in a new tab)
Where
MagicLand, Via della Pace, 00038 Valmontone (opens in maps) (near Roma)
Registration
Recommended
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with MagicLand (opens in a new tab)

New events in Rome every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Rome every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

More Christmas events for kids in Italy

A story for the trip home

Our picture book follows Rally the corgi on his first train ride to see his grand-paw-rents. It is a cozy story to share on the way home after a big day out.

Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolour corgi peeking from a red train

A bedtime story after seeing SantaRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi’s first train ride, hand-painted in real watercolor. Ages 0 to 8.

Buy on Amazon.it (opens in a new tab)

Christmas events for kids in Rome: questions parents ask

What are the 2026 Christmas events for kids in Rome?

For 2026, we confirmed 26 Christmas events for kids in Rome, each on its host’s own page: Magic Christmas 2026 (Valmontone), Babbo Natale va in pensione: Speciale Capodanno (Santa Retires: New Year's Eve Special), Un Natale tira l'altro: la vera storia di Babbo Natale (One Christmas After Another: The True Story of Santa) and 23 more. Each one is listed above with times, cost and a link to the host.

Are there free Christmas events for kids in Rome?

Yes, 2 of the 26 events here are free: La Befana in Piazza Navona (The Befana in Piazza Navona) and Il bosco delle storie di Natale (The Forest of Christmas Stories). Some free events still ask you to register, so check each listing.

Where can kids see Santa this year in Rome?

Where to see Santa: Magic Christmas 2026 (Valmontone), Christmas at Cinecittà World (Natale a Cinecittà World), Il Fantastico Castello di Babbo Natale (Santa's Fantastic Castle) and 1 more. Check the listings above for times and booking.

How do you confirm these events?

We list an event only after we find this season’s date on the host’s own website or an official city, library or tourism calendar. We last checked every listing on November 9, 2026. Hosts change details, so always confirm on the host’s page before you go.

Event names belong to their hosts. Rally Takes the Train is a family picture book and is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by any host listed here. Confirm dates, times and prices on each host’s own site before you go.

The story of Christmas in Rome

In Rome, the Befana has long been the one bringing gifts, and her market in Piazza Navona is more than 200 years old. Add a nativity scene from 1291, a giant tree in St. Peter's Square and a wooden baby Jesus who gets letters from all over the world, and you have a Christmas trip kids remember.

How Rome celebrates Christmas, and why it feels different to a visitor

Christmas in Rome happens out in the piazzas. The Befana market in Piazza Navona is more than 200 years old: it began in Piazza Sant'Eustachio, near the Pantheon, and moved to Navona after Italy was unified. The big trees, the church nativity scenes and the strings of lights are all things you can walk to and see in an afternoon.

For a visiting family, the surprise is who brings the presents. In Rome it was the Befana, not Santa Claus, who brought sweets and toys to children, long before Santa became popular. You will still find Santa in Rome, mostly at shows and theme parks, but the Befana is the local star and her big day is January 6.

The Befana, nativity scenes and giant trees: what your kids will meet

The Befana is a kindly figure who flies on a broom and visits children around Epiphany, January 6. Rome gives her a market, a festival and, on the last day, a grand arrival in Piazza Navona. In 2025 she came down on a broom hanging from a fire truck ladder, played by a firefighter, from the terrace of the church of Sant'Agnese in Agone.

A presepe is a nativity scene, with little figures of the baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph and the animals. Rome has some very old ones. At the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, eight stone figures carved by Arnolfo di Cambio date from 1291. In St. Peter's Square a huge Christmas tree has appeared every year since 1982, and each year it is a gift from a different place. The second one came from Innsbruck and the fourth from Serra San Bruno in Calabria.

Planning a Christmas visit to Rome with kids

The family events on this page start on November 7, 2026, with the Christmas seasons at Cinecittà World and MagicLand, and run to January 6, 2027, Epiphany. There are plenty of events to choose from. Only two are free: the Befana festival in Piazza Navona, which runs from December 1 to January 6 with free access to the square, and a Christmas storybook show at the theater in Ostia on December 22.

Most of the rest are shows and concerts. Theaters stage Christmas fairy tales, A Christmas Carol and the Nutcracker, many of them with a Santa visit afterward and many priced at around 8 to 12 euros. The Auditorium Parco della Musica offers children's choir and youth orchestra concerts at 8 euros. For a bigger day out there are two theme parks, a Santa's castle on the eastern edge of the city and an evening light trail through the Botanical Garden. In 2025 the city lights and trees were on from November 26 to January 6.

A letter to the Bambino, and a tree called Spelacchio

In the basilica of Santa Maria in Aracoeli, on the Capitoline Hill, people venerate the Santo Bambino, a baby Jesus carved from olive wood and about 60 centimeters tall. It receives letters from all over the world, sometimes addressed only to "Il Bambino, Roma". The statue there today is a copy of a fifteenth century original.

Kids also enjoy the story of Spelacchio. In 2017 the Christmas tree in Piazza Venezia arrived in Rome almost bare of needles, and Romans gave it that nickname, which means roughly "the scruffy one".

Traditions today

  • The Befana market in Piazza Navona: Stalls selling nativity figures, decorations, wooden toys and sweets from December 1 to Epiphany, with readings and workshops for children from the Rome libraries.
  • The Befana's arrival on January 6: The festival ends with the Befana arriving in the square. In 2025 she came down on a broom attached to a fire truck ladder, and she arrived at 2 pm.
  • The tree and nativity scene in St. Peter's Square: Every December a big fir tree, donated by a different community each year, is lit together with a new nativity scene. The tradition began in 1982.
  • A tour of church nativity scenes: From the 1291 figures at Santa Maria Maggiore to the Aracoeli nativity chapel and an eighteenth century Neapolitan crib at Santi Cosma e Damiano.
  • The 100 Presepi exhibition at the Vatican: Nativity scenes by artists from around the world, made of paper, fabric, cork and wood, displayed under Bernini's colonnade.
  • Christmas lights on Via del Corso: An evening stroll under the lights of the city center, along Via del Corso, Via dei Condotti, Via del Babuino and Via Margutta.

A fact for kids

In Rome there is a wooden baby Jesus statue that gets letters from children all over the world, some addressed only to "Il Bambino, Roma". And in 2025 the Befana arrived in Piazza Navona hanging from a firefighters' ladder.

Questions about Christmas in Rome

Is Rome worth visiting at Christmas with kids?

Yes, if your family enjoys outdoor sights and shows. Piazza Navona has a Befana market that is more than 200 years old, St. Peter's Square has a huge tree and a new nativity scene each year, and there are 26 family events on this page, from theater to theme parks. The season runs from early November to Epiphany on January 6.

When does the Befana festival in Piazza Navona open in 2026?

The Befana festival in Piazza Navona opens on December 1, 2026, and runs to January 6, 2027. Access to the square is free. In the 2025 season it also ran until January 6, when the Befana arrived at 2 pm to close the festival.

How old is the Christmas market in Piazza Navona?

It is more than 200 years old. The market started in Piazza Sant'Eustachio, a short walk from the Pantheon, and moved to Piazza Navona after Italy was unified. Today it sells nativity figures, decorations, toys and sweets.

What is the Befana?

The Befana is the Italian gift bringer of Epiphany, who flies on a broom. In Rome she brought sweets and toys to children long before Santa Claus became popular, and the market in Piazza Navona is dedicated to her. Her big day is January 6.

How does the Befana arrive in Piazza Navona?

In 2025 she flew over the square on a broom hanging from a fire truck ladder, starting from the Borromini terrace of Sant'Agnese in Agone. The Befana was played by a firefighter trained in cave and mountain rescue techniques, and the fire service band played along.

Who brings gifts to children in Rome, Santa or the Befana?

Traditionally it was the Befana, who brought sweets and toys to Roman children before Santa Claus arrived. Santa is very much part of Rome's Christmas shows today, and many of the children's plays on this page end with a visit from him.

Where can kids meet Santa in Rome?

Several events include Santa. The Teatro Verde shows on December 5 to 8 and December 19 and 20 end with a Santa visit or celebration, Cinecittà World has Santa's House, the Castello di Lunghezza has Santa's rooms and MagicLand has a Santa kingdom with photos. Check each host for exact times.

Are there free Christmas events in Rome?

Yes, a few. The Befana festival in Piazza Navona has free access to the square from December 1 to January 6, and a Christmas storybook show at Ostia's Teatro del Lido on December 22 at 10 am is free, for ages 4 and up. Some paid events let young children in free, such as Cinecittà World for children under 1 meter and Christmas Garden Roma for children up to 5.

When do the Christmas lights and trees go on in Rome?

In the 2025 season the trees and lights in the center stayed lit from November 26 to January 6. The big tree in St. Peter's Square was lit on December 15 together with the nativity scene. Dates for 2026 should be confirmed closer to the time.

How tall is the Christmas tree in St. Peter's Square?

In 2025 it was a red fir of about 25 meters from the Val d'Ultimo in South Tyrol. It was lit on December 15 along with a nativity scene designed by the diocese of Nocera Inferiore-Sarno. Different sources give slightly different heights, so treat it as about 25 meters.

Where does the St. Peter's Square Christmas tree come from?

A different place gives it every year. The tradition began in 1982, the second tree came from Innsbruck and the fourth from Serra San Bruno in Calabria. The 2025 tree was donated by the towns of Lagundo and Ultimo near Bolzano.

What is the oldest nativity scene in Rome?

One of the oldest is at the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore: eight stone figures carved by Arnolfo di Cambio in 1291. The same basilica also keeps the relic of the Holy Crib. It is a good stop for explaining to kids where nativity scenes come from.

Where can we see nativity scenes in Rome's churches?

Besides Santa Maria Maggiore, try the nativity chapel at the Aracoeli, with life-size figures by Luigi Ceccon from 1858. The church of Santi Cosma e Damiano has a large eighteenth century Neapolitan crib with the Roman Forum behind it, and San Marcello al Corso shows the workshops of old Rome.

What is the Santo Bambino of Aracoeli?

It is a baby Jesus statue carved from olive wood, about 60 centimeters tall, kept in the basilica of Santa Maria in Aracoeli on the Capitoline Hill. Tradition says a Franciscan friar carved it from wood from Gethsemane. The statue wears a crown and is wrapped in golden cloth covered with donated jewels.

Do children really write letters to the Santo Bambino?

Yes. The chapel is full of letters from around the world, some addressed only to "Il Bambino, Roma". Old letters are burned unopened, with incense, from time to time to make room for new ones. In the past, between Christmas and Epiphany, children aged six to ten would climb a small platform to speak to the statue.

What is the 100 Presepi exhibition at the Vatican?

It is an international exhibition of nativity scenes under Bernini's colonnade in St. Peter's Square. In 2025 it was in its eighth year, from December 8 to January 6, with works by artists from around the world made of paper, fabric, cork, wood and other materials.

Who was Spelacchio?

Spelacchio was the 2017 Christmas tree in Piazza Venezia, a fir from the Val di Fiemme in Trentino. It reached Rome almost without needles, so Romans gave it a nickname that means roughly "scruffy". It cost almost 50,000 euros and was declared dead a few days before Christmas.

What is the Christmas Garden in Rome?

Christmas Garden Roma is an evening light and sound trail of about two kilometers through the Botanical Garden of Rome. It runs from November 20, 2026 into January 2027, with entries from 5 to 9 pm. Children aged 6 to 14 pay from 12.90 euros, children up to 5 are free, adults pay from 15.90 euros and a family ticket starts at 45.92 euros.

Which Christmas theme parks and Santa houses are near Rome?

Cinecittà World, Rome's film theme park, has a Christmas season from November 7 to January 6 with Santa's House, an elves' post office, shows and an ice rink. MagicLand, near Rome, runs Magic Christmas from November 7, 2026 to January 6, 2027 with daily parades. The Castello di Lunghezza hosts Santa's castle on weekends from November 15 to December 27, plus December 8 and January 6.

Where can we see the Nutcracker in Rome in 2026?

Balletto di Roma's Nutcracker plays at Teatro Olimpico from December 17 to 19, 2026, with a Saturday matinee and reduced prices for under 12s from 18.90 euros. Rome Opera Ballet School students also perform the Nutcracker at Teatro Nazionale from November 25 to December 3, with family performances on November 28 and 29.

What children's concerts are there in Rome at Christmas?

The Auditorium Parco della Musica hosts several family concerts at 8 euros: Santa Cecilia's children's choirs on December 16, the youth orchestra on December 20 and choir concerts on December 19. On January 6, 2027, the Befana Gospel concert is 10 euros for children and 15 euros for adults, for ages 4 and up.

What can we do in Rome on Epiphany, January 6?

In Piazza Navona the festival ends with the Befana's arrival, which in 2025 happened at 2 pm. In 2027 there is also the Befana Gospel concert at 4:30 pm, a children's show at Teatro Le Maschere at 4 pm and the last day of Santa's castle at Lunghezza. Check each venue for times and tickets.

Are Christmas events in Rome in English?

Most events on this page are in Italian, so check with the host before booking if language matters. Many are visual and musical, such as puppets, shadow theater, concerts, ballet and light trails, so younger children can enjoy them without following every word.

Sources

  1. Alberi di Natale, Presepi e Luminarie a Roma 2025-26, Turismo Roma
  2. Da Lagundo e Ultimo l'albero, dalla Campania il presepe per Piazza San Pietro, Vatican News
  3. Albero di Natale donato al Santo Padre per la Piazza San Pietro, Santa Sede
  4. Christmas Market and Feast of the Befana in Piazza Navona, Turismo Roma
  5. Festa di Piazza Navona 2025, Turismo Roma
  6. Roma, a Piazza Navona il tradizionale "volo" della Befana coi Vigili del Fuoco, il Nord Est
  7. Santo Bambino of Aracoeli, Wikipedia
  8. Rome's Christmas tree Spelacchio declared dead, The Local Italy
  9. Accensione dell'albero di Natale e inaugurazione del presepe in Piazza San Pietro, Open
Kelsey Cecil
Previous

Christmas Events for Kids in Rotterdam (2026)
Next

Christmas Events for Kids in Rio de Janeiro (2026)