December is cool and can be rainy, but the city is busy around Christmas with special liturgies and decorations in St. Peter's Square. Outside the core holiday days, visitor numbers are lower than in spring and autumn, offering shorter queues at museums.
Average temperature across Vatican City in December.
December turns festive: cool, often rainy days averaging 7-13°C, and the Christmas tree and nativity scene in St. Peter’s draw big crowds in the lead-up to Christmas. Attend early-morning Mass to avoid lines, but expect security checks and slow entry on holidays. Nights can be cold near the colonnade; pack a warm coat, hat and gloves if you plan to stand in the square for midnight services or the Pope’s Christmas Eve appearance.
December attracts steady tourist numbers around Advent and the run-up to Christmas, with special crowds on holiday weekends; the museums are busier but still tolerable with advance booking. Interiors remain comfortable and often host special exhibits, which can draw local audiences as well. If visiting near December 8 (Feast of the Immaculate Conception) or late December, expect heightened security and longer waits.
and interface with Rome
December wraps the Gardens in cool, wet weather with temperatures in the high single digits to low teens and crisp mornings after rain; guided tour slots reduce for the holidays. The walled neighborhoods feel festive as Rome puts up lights, and the Gardens’ evergreen structure still offers a pleasant escape from Christmas crowds in St. Peter’s Square. Bring sturdy footwear and expect some tours to be shorter or rerouted in inclement weather.
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services, including the Midnight Mass at St. Peter's Basilica, draw large international crowds.
See how December compares with the rest of the year, then read the full guide.