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New Year’s celebration in Rome may become one of the best experiences of your life! Just imagine the Eternal City full of lights and bright colors. Undoubtedly, it is an excellent idea to visit Rome on New Year’s Eve. Italians have unique traditions for the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
What’s Rome Like for This Holiday
There are many different places to enjoy New Year’s Eve dinner (cenone), admire fireworks, and party with friends or family. Luckily, everything works in Rome from December 24 until January 6, when there are especially many visitors to the Eternal City. However, most of the spots are closed on December 25 and January 1. Be careful if you plan something significant for these dates since public transportation and taxis will also work slower and less regular than usual.
Note: main squares of Rome as Saint Peter’s Square, Piazza del Popolo, Piazza Navona, and Piazza Venezia are especially colored and festively decorated
How and Where to Celebrate
There is a tradition among Italians to celebrate Christmas with family. On New Year’s night, everyone will party with friends in one of the nightclubs and restaurants or admire fireworks and shows on famous Roman squares. Undoubtedly, a reservation is needed for any place you will visit that night if you want to find a seat for yourself. Be prepared that the next day, January 1, all Roman points of interest and shops will be closed.
Feel free to request a consultation on planning your cultural holiday during the New Year holidays. I will be happy to help with advice, plan the perfect excursion program, and book places in restaurants. You can always count on me in Rome, Kate.
What’s the Weather
Roman weather is always amazing since there are mostly sunny days each year. However, it is better to take warm clothes and umbrellas in case of rain. Don’t worry; the atmosphere of the Eternal City and the weather are always friendly, warm, and charming so that nothing can spoil your impression of Rome. In December-January, the average temperature is 10°C (49°F) – 15°C (59°F). December is one of the most incredible months of the year. This month, Rome experiences an average of six hours of sunshine each day.
Italian New Year’s Traditions
Undoubtedly, one of the leading Italian New Year’s Eve traditions is to wear red underwear if you want to be lucky. Moreover, in the past, Italians threw porcelain out of the window! However, this custom is not common nowadays for safety reasons. Another tradition is to make a big New Year’s dinner, which is called cenone. It can be at someone’s house or restaurant. In addition, in some regions of Italy, people throw away all old stuff from their windows, which means they are throwing out the past.
The most popular tradition is to eat lentils after midnight on New Year’s because it brings fortune for the coming year.
Read also: How is the birthday of Rome celebrated on April 21?
Where to stay
Where to stay in Rome is always one of the visitors’ main questions before their trip. Therefore, make sure to book a hotel with a convenient location to discover the streets of Eternal city on foot or by taking short taxi rides. Moreover, my advice is to book a hotel near the Pantheon area! Thus, you will easily reach all main Roman attractions and points of interest on foot. Here are several of the best hotel recommendations for any budget:
Gran Melia Rome
Gran Melia is located in central Rome with views from its rooms to the Vatican, Castel Sant’Angelo, Vicolo di Sant’Onofrio, and the hotel’s garden. It has an on-site spa and an outdoor swimming pool. Trastevere area is a perfect choice for travelers looking for Italian food, city walks, and culture.
Hotel Ponte Sisto
Hotel Ponte Sisto is a former monastery with an amazing courtyard. Every morning, a buffet breakfast is offered. The hotel’s features are its central location and modern, spacious rooms with all the necessary facilities.
Moreover, the staff of Hotel Ponte Sisto is attentive and helpful. They can provide useful tourist information and help organise excursions. The area of Piazza Navona is a great choice for travelers interested in local food, city walks, and culture. Undoubtedly, this hotel is one of my favorites in Rome!
Read also about the Ponte Sisto bridge.
Argentina Residenza Style Hotel
Argentina Residenza Style Hotel is located 5 minutes’ walk away from the Pantheon and Piazza Navona. Equally important, it offers elegant, non-smoking, air-conditioned rooms with an LCD TV with Sky channels and a minibar. Largo di Torre Argentina square is just 100m from the hotel, while a bus stop is 10m away. Also, you can reach Vatican City, Piazza Venezia, and Termini station by bus.
The Yellow
Yellow was acknowledged as the best hostel in Rome in 2011. As with any other hostel, it is intended mainly for people younger than 40 years old. Undoubtedly, the hostel is popular for its friendly atmosphere, bright colors, and private en suite rooms. It is important to note that Termini station is only 5 minutes away, which is a comfortable location to reach any city’s point. The Yellow is an excellent choice in terms of price and quality. The price per person (one night) starts from 25 euros.
- Read our Rome Hotel Guidelines
What to Do
New Year’s Eve is primarily a street festival in Rome. Romans prefer to eat at home or in a restaurant. Still, all of them traditionally go to the city center, the Colosseum, or any famous Roman square to admire fireworks at midnight. In addition, most nightclubs work to celebrate the New Year, so you can choose among many places where to spend an unforgettable night. Romans will not sleep all night long, and this is one of the best holidays of the year!
It will be useful for you to know – where to stay near the Colosseum and where is the Colosseum located?
Private Tours
How is it possible to imagine a trip to the Eternal City without a visit to its main points of interest? If you are coming to Rome during Christmas and New Year’s celebrations, make sure to book private guided tours in advance since it is a high season, and there is a chance that there will be no free spots left. Our tour guides will tell you more stories about the Italian holidays and teach you how to celebrate as real Romans do!
Note: if you wish to book a transfer from the airport to your hotel in Rome, make sure to do it in advance since many Italians do not work on holidays, and there will be no free drivers for last-minute bookings. I recommend you book a transfer on Mercedes E class with the best driver in Rome – Sergio: www.rome4.us
Rome City Events
There is a big New Year’s Eve and New Year festival in Rome named “The Moon.” Its celebration starts on December 31, 2024, at 9 pm. Notably, the festival includes 100 events with 1000 artists from different countries. Of course, admission to the festival is free.
Note: Bring your own drinks, but better without glass bottles
- Place: Circus Maximus (Circo Massimo) from 9 pm to 3 am
Program of La Festa di Roma
- 9 pm:Â KITONB is a worldwide known troupe from Rome that organizes a musical light show
- 9:30 pm: Concert of the small orchestra of Tor Pignattara (Piccolo Orchestra di Tor Pignattara) with 20 representatives from 14 countries
- 10 pm: KITONB Ode alla Luna Performance on the 50th anniversary of the moon landing of Apollo 11 with Armstrong and Aldrin, followed by music accompaniment
- 10:15 pm: In difesa della Luna: instrumental show by Vinicio Capossela, Vincenzo Vasi and Alessandro Asso Stefana
- 10:45 pm: KITONB Carillon, the flight of the time (Il volo del tempo) – theatrical show
- 11:50 pm: preparation for the Countdown with the Radio Dimensione Suono Roma
- Midnight: BIG FIREWORKS
- 12:30 am: Achille Lauro, live performance of the new Roman rap artist
- 01:30 am: Disco with Radio Dimensione Suono Roma
Free Performances
From 3 am to 8 am, there will be many accessible performances and art installations around Rome. For instance, you can visit Piazza Sant’Anastasia, Cinema Reale, or Teatro India. Moreover, a live concert will salute the sunrise of the first day of the year on Ponte della Scienza from 7 am.
Kids Entertainment
The city of Rome organizes amazing kids’ entertainment events for the New Year. On January 1, from 10 am until 4 am, your family can participate in a unique program of games, music, dance, contests, tales, and exhibitions at Giardino degli Aranci at the Biblioteca Centrale Ragazzi.
Indoor Activities
Since winter and the weather are cold, there are also various exciting events in Rome indoors.
- It will be a Christmas full of great emotions in Auditorium Parco della Musica thanks to an extensive program designed for all tastes. The concert starts at 10 pm;
- Doria Pamphilj Gallery organizes a unique Baroque concert, which includes admission to the museums;
- One of the most original options for the New Year’s celebration is to take a guided bus tour of Rome with dinner and NY’s celebration included;
- Enjoy Cabaret Show at Sheraton Parco de Medici;
- Celebrate New Year in one of the most beautiful villas, Palazzo Brancaccio, with impressive frescoes and paintings in a friendly atmosphere with a particular show program and open bar.
Night Clubs
Let’s party hard! There are many nightclubs in Rome with interesting show programs for New Year’s night. Prices start from 50 euros per person (it is better to plan to spend at least 100 euros), and find time to sleep before the party because everyone will dance until sunrise 🙂
Piper Club
New Year’s Eve 2025 “A Tutta Birra” at Piper nightclub with a typical bavarian menu and plenty of beer! You can start at 9 pm, with live music playing until midnight, and then wait for the Dj set with house music.
- Location: Via Tagliamento, Parioli district (Coppede area);
- Prices: 60 euros per person for the unlimited buffet and 40 euros per person for the open bar. You can book a disco table (minimum 8 pax) for 90 euros per person.
Amore Festival
Amore is one of the most famous festivals in Rome. This year, wait for Blawan, Shlomo, Anetha, TBA, and other DJs. This party is for you if you like techno, house, trap, electro, industrial, disco, and electronic music.
- Location: Via del Commercio, 36
- Prices: from 35 to 100 euros per person
Art Cafe
Art Cafe is one of the most popular Roman nightclubs, and it hosts famous parties. So, of course, this is one of the most fun and unique options to celebrate New Year’s night. The club offers different entrance options for guests of any budget.
- Location: Via del Galoppatoio, 33
- Prices: from 40 to 1500 euro
Cosmo Festival
Cosmo is the techno festival that connects three big venues of the EUR district: Spazio 900, Room 26, and Salone delle Fontane. You have to buy one ticket to enter each of these locations. This year, the DJs will be Joseph Capriati, Amelie Lens, Sam Paganini, Marco Faraone, Pan-Pot, Ilario Alicante, Apparat DJ, etc.
- Location: Piazza Gugliemo Marconi, 26
- Prices: from 50 to 160 euros per person
La Cabala
La Cabala Disco and Piano Bar has three floors: piano bar, restaurant “Hostaria dell’Orso” and disco on the top floor. There are fantastic views of Castel Sant’Angelo and Saint Peter’s Square. It is perfect for people older than 25 years old.
- Location: Via dei Soldati, 25 C
- Prices: from 50 euro to 240 euro
Restaurants
Numerous restaurants in Rome offer a New Year’s Eve menu. However, if you want to celebrate this holiday in a restaurant with an excellent menu, don’t forget to make a reservation at least 1-2 weeks in advance. Of course, Trip Advisor is one of the primary sources from which you can find the best Roman restaurants.
La Griffe
Luxury Celebration of the New Year? Welcome to the Roof Garden Restaurant La Griffe inside a luxury hotel with an amazing panoramic terrace. This is one of the most romantic and beautiful options, with live music and Mediterranean dishes.
- Location: Via Nazionale, 13
- Prices: from 80 euros to 180 euros
Taverna Cairoli
New Year’s Eve at Taverna Cairoli includes dinner and live music. It is a typical restaurant in Rome’s city center, near Campo de Fiori, Piazza Navona, and the Pantheon. There is excellent food quality and an exciting show program for its guests.
- Location: Piazza Benedetto Cairoli 2/a
- Prices: from 50 euro to 75 euro
La Romantica
La Romantica restaurant offers two set menus (fish or meat): starters, first courses, and main courses in an authentic Mediterranean tradition. Of course, there will be a special Christmas dessert. Fantastic place if you are looking for a friendly atmosphere and tasty food.
- Location: Via Emanuele Filiberto, 52
- Prices: from 30 euros to 100 euro
Target
Target is a modern restaurant in Rome’s city center. It perfectly combines taste and music, where you can simultaneously order unique Italian dishes and dance all night long. For example, its New Year’s Eve 2025 menu includes Christmas cakes, wine, and other drinks, followed by a DJ set.
- Location: Via Torino, 33
- Prices: from 50 to 120 euro
Public Transport
On December 31, 2024, the Metro ran from 5:30 am to 3:30 am on January 1, 2024. The exact schedule works with the line to Ostia Lido and Roma-Flaminia Montebello. Then, from 3:30 am to 8 am, lines N1, N2, N2L, and N28 drive along the metro lines and N3 from Piazza Venezia to Ostia.
The last departure of buses and trams on December 31st will be at 9 pm
From 9 pm to 3:30 am the following lines operate:
- H bus: Termini – Piazza Venezia – Trastevere – Gianicolense – Bravetta / Capasso
- Tram 2: Piazzale Flaminio – via Flaminia – Piazza Mancini
- 128 bus: Metro B San Paolo – viale Marconi – via della Magliana – via Crocco
- 170 bus: Eur Agricoltura – viale Marconi – Piazza Venezia – Nazionale – Termini
- 200 bus:Â Piazza Mancini – Ponte Milvio – Corso Francia – via Flaminia – station Prima Porta
- 280 bus:Â Piazza Mancini – Lepanto Metro A – Piramide Metro B – station Ostiense Fs
- 301 bus: Grottarossa via Cassia – Ponte Milvio – Lepanto Metro A – Piazza Augusto Imperatore
- 336 bus: Conca d’Oro Metro B1 – Vigne Nuove – Fidene – via Quarrata
- 544 bus: Stazione Sant’Agnese / Annibaliano Metro B – Monti Tiburtini – Stazione Gardenia Metro C – stazione Parco di Centocelle Metro C
- 766 bus: via Andrea Millevoi – Grottaperfetta – Metro B San Paolo-Stazione Trastevere
- 881 bus: via Avanzini – via della Pisana via Gregorio VII via Paola
- 905 bus: metro A Cornelia via Boccea via Casal Selce – Casalotti-Malagrotta
- N6 bus: Ottavia / via Tarsia via Trionfale – viale delle Medaglie d’Oro
On 1st January 2025, the holiday public transport schedule starts from 8 am. If you are going to use a private transfer or taxi, make sure to book a car in advance
So, where are you going to celebrate the New Year’s Eve? 🙂
