Christmas in Rome sees return of market stalls and carousel in Piazza Navona.
Rome’s popular Christmas market returns to Piazza Navona this festive season, from 1 December until 6 January 2026.
The annual event, known by many as the Mercatino della Befana, is a traditional fixture on Rome’s Christmas calendar and will be opened officially by the mayor Roberto Gualtieri on Saturday 6 December.
The market stalls sell wooden toys, sweets, food from the Lazio region, books, leather goods, artisanal Christmas decorations, ceramics and other gift items.
The carousel is also back and the city will organise readings and creative workshops for children over the festive season, as well as live performances including the open-air Milonga della Pace dance event on 20 December.
Christmas magic in Piazza Navona, Rome pic.twitter.com/OSiMv3VaJG
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The market will be open daily from 09.00 to 01.00 on weekdays and until 02.00 on weekends and holidays.
The festivities end on 6 January, on the feast of the Epiphany or La Befana, a national public holiday in Italy.
That morning, La Befana will “fly” into Piazza Navona on her broomstick – with the help of Rome’s firefighters – handing out sweets to children.
For details of the events programme in Piazza Navona over Christmas check the city website.
