14 Rome Christmas Tours Worth Travelling For

1.St. Paul’s Within the Walls New Year’s Concert Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 35 reviews · from $39Our pick

Spend two hours at Rome’s St. Paul’s Within the Walls with the Orchestra of I Virtuosi dell’opera di Roma, soprano Ms. Testa, tenor Mr. Gentili, and baritone Mr. Utzeri. Choose a New Year’s Eve or January 1 concert, with opera favorites by Verdi, Puccini, Mozart, Rossini, and others. Seating categories let you match the ticket to your budget.

“It was a surreal experience to attend the concert on a new year’s eve in the church. Loved it”

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2.Celebrate Christmas in Rome – Small Group Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 28 reviews · from $66Top rated

Start at the Spanish Steps at 5:30pm and walk through Rome’s decorated streets with a local guide and no more than 15 people. You’ll see Via dei Condotti, the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Castel Sant’Angelo, and finish at St. Peter’s Square beside the Christmas tree and Nativity scene. Guides may include Yash, Sarah, Max, Ariana, or Bryan.

“My family and I wanted to do something special since we were in Rome for Christmas. I thought this tour would be the perfect way to add that "holiday spirit" while we were there. I should've booked it for earlier in the week. Because we booked it for Christmas Eve, the place that we were supposed to stop for our hot chocolate and Christmas treats closed early. Our guide wasn't sure of what to do because the back-up place they go to wasn't open either. We spent a good bit of time waiting on the other guide to give our guide some direction. We walked a good bit before finally…”

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3.Capuchins Crypt: Christmas Baroque Concert

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 15 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $104

You’ll visit the Capuchins Museum and bone-lined Crypt before hearing the Schola Romana Ensemble perform Christmas Baroque music in the convent’s reserved hall. Choose a self-guided audioguide visit in 13 languages or a VIP English tour for up to 10 people. The church visit is subject to celebrations.

“la explicación de guía sobre las catacumbas de los capuchinos y el concierto fue excelente la soprano es lo máximo.”

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4.2h Xmas Lights Panoramic Vespa Sidecar Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 15 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $118

Ride through Rome after dark in a Vespa sidecar, with a professional driver and English-speaking guide handling the traffic. Over two hours, you’ll see Christmas lights, the Spanish Steps, St. Peter’s Square, Janiculum Hill, the Jewish Ghetto, and Piazza Navona. You may share a Vespa and swap seats at stops.

“Really fantastic night zipping around Roma seeing the city, the lights and Christmas decorations. Daughter claimed the side car so I can't comment on its comfort, but the vespas are a fun way to travel, and gives access to Rome's alleys and back streets.. The team did a great job in making us feel welcome and ensuring our safety. Everything was clean and efficient. Highly recommend this tour at any time of the year, but it is something special at Christmas.”

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5.Christmas Eve Mass with Pope Leo XIV at Vatican – Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 10 reviews · 7 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $2,167

Attend Christmas Eve Mass with Pope Leo XIV at St. Peter’s Basilica, with hotel pickup, private luxury transport, and an English-speaking escort. Guides such as Andrea and Stefania help you manage the crowds and find a good view, but the free Vatican ticket itself does not include skip-the-line access or a Vatican Museums tour.

“Was sceptical at the start of this tour wondering what we actually get for our money as the actual mass tickets are free. The guide we had (Cecelia) seemed a little unsure of the process and seemed more interested in the other group that was being led by her friend. But in saying that she did get us very good seats and we did get to see the Pope very close. We did all enjoy the Mass. it was a long afternoon (picked up at 230pm and got back to hotel at 930pm). For the price of this tour I would do my research - get online and try to…”

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6.Christmas Nativities and Angels Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.1 · 8 reviews · 3 hours · from $88

Walk through Rome’s Christmas heart in a group of up to eight, from Piazza del Popolo and the Twin Churches to Santa Maria in Aracoeli, Piazza Navona, the Bridge of Angels, and Piazza San Pietro. Guides speak English or Italian. Expect strong local storytelling, but confirm the meeting point and final route before booking.

“We enjoyed his passion and knowledge of Rome. Ysa was very patient with us and enjoyed wandering around the markets with us. The balance between the tour and having fun was great.”

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7.Christmas Lights Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 7 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $55

Join an English-speaking local guide for a 90-minute Christmas walk through central Rome. Start at Babingtons Tea Room, pass the Spanish Steps, Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Ponte Sant’Angelo, and finish at St Peter’s Square. Groups are limited to 15 people, with guides such as JoAn and Yash praised for helpful explanations.

“The guide JoAn was very helpful, nice, knowledgeable. The tour was great. Would do this one again!”

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8.Capuchin Crypt Christmas Baroque Concert in Rome

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 7 reviews · from $90

Begin at the Capuchin Convent on Via Veneto with Schola Romana Ensemble performing a cappella Christmas music by Palestrina, Victoria, and other composers. Then visit the Capuchin Museum and Crypt by audio guide or with an art historian. The 90-minute program can include an optional Roman dinner.

“A beautiful, soothing performance to remind you that this is what Christmas is all about. Only four voices and you feel as though you are hearing a heavenly choir. Go, feel blessed, then do good works.”

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9.Christmas Journey in Rome – Private Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $597

Walk through Rome’s Christmas season with a private English-speaking guide, starting at the Arch of Constantine and ending at Trevi Fountain. You’ll see Campo de’ Fiori, Piazza Navona, and the city’s festive lights at your own pace. Fabrizio has led this route for families, including groups of ten, and has helped guests connect the sights with Rome’s holiday customs.

“The illuminated streets were beautiful. The guide spoke about the origins of the festive season to the modern-day customs. We also sampled local delicacies (the roasted chestnuts were so tasty). Memorable sights and sounds which lingered even after the tour concluded.”

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10.Vatican Private Experience: New Year’s Day Mass with Pope Leo XIV

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $1,183

Begin with a 7:00 am pickup at your Rome accommodation and travel by private chauffeured vehicle to Vatican City. An English-speaking escort helps you understand the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God before you attend Papal Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica. Stevani and Luigi are named members of the service team.

“Stevani and Luigi are fantastic. This is the best private tour in rome. Highly recommended. 5 stars.”

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11.New Year’s Concert at Palazzo Doria Pamphilj with Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 3 reviews

Meet your English-speaking art historian at Palazzo Doria Pamphilj for a one-hour visit to the Princess’s secret apartment. See the Bath of Diana, hear about Princess Doria Pamphilj, then enjoy Roman Baroque music in the Fire Hall, played on period instruments. The private entrance and wheelchair access add practical appeal.

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12.Christmas Nativities and Angels Tour in Rome

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $90

Spend about three hours walking from Piazza del Popolo to St. Peter’s Square, stopping at Rome’s grand fountains, churches, Christmas scenes, and lesser-known streets. A live English-speaking guide, with Alessandro among the named guides, shares local holiday customs. The group is capped at 15, but the Pantheon fee, food, transport, and gratuity are extra.

“We loved our guide. She was friendly and knowledgeable. She took us to many different stops around the city and explored a variety of Christmas traditions.”

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13.Christmas in Rome Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · from $46

Start at Piazza del Popolo at 4:00 pm and walk with a local guide past the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, and Christmas-lit streets. The small group, capped at 15 people, ends in Piazza Navona with hot chocolate, tea, or coffee and traditional Italian Christmas sweets.

“Such an exceptional guide and beautiful tour. The finishing touch of traditional sweets was perfect and my little sister enjoyed the hot chocolate a lot.”

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14.New Year’s Baroque Concert at Doria Pamphilj Palace

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $116

Meet your English-speaking host at Doria Pamphilj Gallery for a guided look at Princess Doria Pamphilj’s private apartments, then hear the Schola Romana Ensemble in the Throne Hall. Expect soprano, lute, theorbo, baroque guitar, and period winds, with music by Monteverdi, Frescobaldi, Caroso, and others.

“We have passed the last day of our journey in Palazzo Doria Pamphiljl with the remarkable presentation of art collection and especially the wonderful concert ! I bought the CD before leaving as a bellissimo souvenir of this visit.”

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