01Weather
Rome weather in December
Afternoons in December average 14.0 °C (57 °F) and nights cool to 5.5 °C (42 °F). The month brings about 113 mm (4.4 in) of rain spread over roughly 10 days. Compared with November it is 3.6 °C cooler; January is 1.2 °C cooler again.
What the averages hide
| In a typical December | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Warm afternoons (90th percentile) | 17 °C / 63 °F | one day in ten is at least this warm |
| Cool afternoons (10th percentile) | 11 °C / 52 °F | one day in ten stays below this |
| Cold nights (10th percentile) | 1 °C / 34 °F | one night in ten is colder than this |
| Days above 30 °C (86 °F) | 0.0 | per month, average 2016–2025 |
| Nights at or below 0 °C (32 °F) | 1.6 | frost mornings per month |
| Chance of rain on any given day | 34 % | at least 1 mm |
| Hottest / coldest December day 2016–2025 | 20.0 °C / -2.7 °C | extremes in the ten-year record |
02Daylight
Sunrise, sunset and the length of the day
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 December | 07:18 | 16:39 | 9.4 h |
| 15 December | 07:30 | 16:39 | 9.1 h |
| 31 December | 07:37 | 16:48 | 9.2 h |
Daylight shrinks by about 12 minutes over the month. Times are local (Europe/Rome).
03Crowds
How busy Rome is in December
moderate The main sights are moderate in December. What drives it:
- Immaculate Conception on 8 December
- Christmas at the Vatican
- nativity scenes
04Public holidays
Public holidays in December 2026
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| 8 Dec 2026 | Immaculate Conception |
| 25 Dec 2026 | Christmas Day |
| 26 Dec 2026 | St. Stephen's Day |
On public holidays many shops close and museums run on Sunday hours; check opening times for the day before and after as well.
05Events
What's on in Rome in December
Every year in December
| Event | When | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Christmas at St Peter's | nativity scene and tree from early December, Midnight Mass | seasonal |
07Packing
What to pack for Rome in December
- a warm jacket or coat
- scarf for windy evenings
- closed, water-resistant shoes
- a compact umbrella or hooded rain jacket, rain falls on roughly one day in three
08Editor's notes
What the numbers don't tell you
December is cool and fairly bright, with afternoons around 13 °C, the Immaculate Conception holiday on 8 December when the Pope visits the column in Piazza di Spagna, nativity scenes in the churches and the Vatican tree and crib in St Peter's Square. Christmas Eve and Day close most sights, and the Christmas market in Piazza Navona runs through the month. The week between Christmas and New Year is busy and expensive; early December is calm.
Rain falls on about ten days. The Vatican Museums close on 25 and 26 December and 1 January; the Colosseum closes on 25 December and 1 January. Midnight Mass at St Peter's requires free tickets requested months ahead. New Year's Eve brings a free concert and fireworks at the Circus Maximus. Hotel prices peak from 23 December to 2 January, then fall to the year's lowest in January.
09Compare
Rome month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Sun h | Crowds | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 13 °C | 4 °C | 10 | – | quiet | Good |
| February | 15 °C | 6 °C | 9 | – | quiet | Good |
| March | 16 °C | 7 °C | 8 | – | moderate | Good |
| April | 20 °C | 9 °C | 7 | – | very busy | Good |
| May | 24 °C | 13 °C | 5 | – | busy | Excellent |
| June | 30 °C | 18 °C | 4 | – | busy | Excellent |
| July | 33 °C | 21 °C | 2 | – | busy | Good |
| August | 32 °C | 21 °C | 2 | – | moderate | Good |
| September | 28 °C | 17 °C | 6 | – | busy | Excellent |
| October | 23 °C | 13 °C | 6 | – | busy | Excellent |
| November | 18 °C | 9 °C | 9 | – | quiet | Excellent |
| December | 14 °C | 6 °C | 10 | – | moderate | Good |
Not sure about December? See the best time to visit Rome.
10Elsewhere
December in nearby cities
| City | High | Rain days |
|---|---|---|
| Venice in December | 9 °C | 6 |
| Budapest in December | 5 °C | 8 |
| Barcelona in December | 16 °C | 3 |
| Prague in December | 5 °C | 8 |
| Paris in December | 8 °C | 13 |
| Amsterdam in December | 8 °C | 14 |
11FAQ
Rome in December: your questions
Is December a good time to visit Rome?
December is a good month to visit Rome. Daytime highs average 14 °C (57 °F), rain falls on about 10 days, and hotel arrivals run above the yearly average, so the main sights are moderate.
What is the weather like in Rome in December?
Expect cool days around 14 °C (57 °F) and nights near 6 °C (42 °F). One December in ten brings afternoons above 17 °C, and one in ten stays below 11 °C.
Does it rain a lot in Rome in December?
December brings about 113 mm (4.4 in) of rain over roughly 10 days, which is showery by Rome standards. On any given day the chance of at least 1 mm of rain is 34 percent.
What should I wear in Rome in December?
Pack a warm jacket or coat, scarf for windy evenings, closed, water-resistant shoes.
Is Rome crowded in December?
The main sights are moderate in December. Main drivers: Immaculate Conception on 8 December; Christmas at the Vatican; nativity scenes.
What time does it get dark in Rome in December?
Around the middle of December the sun sets at about 16:39 and rises at 07:30, giving 9.1 hours of daylight.