Christmas World - Villa Borghese

A Christmas village in Rome's most famous park

Christmas World takes over the Galoppatoio of Villa Borghese every winter, located in the Pinciano district just steps away from the Spanish Steps and Via Veneto. Spanning over 40,000 square meters, organizers present it as Europe's largest Christmas theme park: an immersive journey through luminous scenery, attractions, food courts, and markets, designed for both local Roman families and visitors exploring the Capital during the holiday season.

A journey through the world's cities

The central theme is a Christmas tour of the world: major metropolises are recreated in a festive version, each hosting its own unique attractions. Recent editions have featured:

• New York, with a large ice rink beneath a reproduction of the Brooklyn Bridge;
• London, featuring the luminous 'The Tree of Lights' installation;
• Berlin, home to the 'Santa's Coaster';
• Paris, with the 'North Pole Raceway' designed for younger children;
• the Ice Village, featuring the 'Ice Slide', 'Ice Bumper' cars, and the new 'Snow Twister'.

The experience is completed by 'The Grand Christmas Carousel', Santa's house, woodland-themed scenic areas, and light installations that make the park particularly enchanting after sunset.

Live performances and artists

The performance aspect is one of the event's most recognizable features: around 300 artists bring the village to life with parades, traveling choirs, dance numbers, and original productions curated by Lux Entertainment. In the most recent edition, the entry ticket included the Grand Christmas Show, a large-scale stage production combining music, choreography, and elaborate set design. Santa Claus and his elves roam among the visitors throughout the day, with special moments dedicated to children.

Markets, crafts, and gastronomy

Alongside the attractions is the market area, featuring stalls dedicated to handicrafts, decorations, and gift ideas from various countries. The culinary offerings alternate between international street food and traditional holiday sweets, with refreshment areas distributed along the path—a must-stop on colder days for hot chocolate and Christmas specialties.

A staple event for Rome

Originally a seasonal event, Christmas World has become a signature appointment of the Roman winter. The City Administration has recognized the event's public interest for future years at Villa Borghese, citing its contribution to the city's cultural and tourist promotion and the winter activation of a historic and scenic landmark; final approval is subject to a public tender process, which establishes usable areas, technical requirements, and park preservation obligations.

Rome and Lazio during the holidays

A visit to Christmas World fits perfectly into a Christmas weekend in the Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, in Lazio: the Galoppatoio is located inside Villa Borghese, a short distance from the Borghese Gallery, the Pincio, and the historic center. During the same period, the Capital offers nativity scenes, illuminations, concerts in basilicas, and markets in the central districts, while towns across Lazio host numerous Advent festivals and fairs.