The Eternal City is ready for its holiday close-up

Rome is not the most spectacular city when it comes to Christmas decorations.

BUT it does enjoy some amazing Christmas weather. I love walking around Rome over the holiday period and enjoying the Christmas decorations.

Weather forecasts in Rome are looking pretty good for these next few weeks, so I’m looking forward to enjoying the holiday illuminations exactly during the year’s shortest days … when we need them most.

In Italy, like in many European countries, we celebrate the so-called 12-days of Christmas, so the Christmas decorations stay up through the Epiphany, on 6 January.

The tree on Piazza Venezia is always beautiful. And the lights stretching down Via del Corso are always spectacular. Last year, the lights were beautiful, boasting many of Rome’s most famous monuments.

Piazza Lucina is right off Via del Corso, and always a popular place to enjoy an aperitivo – even better with all the holiday lights.

Last year Piazza Navona had a stunning light display of Italian art masterpieces. You can see some of those iconic works of art here in the photos below.

The ridiculous Covid policies in place last year meant that the center was often deserted at night, when these illuminations were taking place. Because my son and I were often passing through on our walk home, we often enjoyed this spectacle almost by ourselves…. which was, frankly, ridiculous.

Happy to see these spaces bustling once again this year.

Enjoying a Rome al decked out for Christmas. I’m going to enjoy this for as long as I can.