Piazza Navona Festival (Christmas Market and Befana)
Rome's most beloved Christmas market, from Advent to the arrival of the Befana
About Piazza Navona Festival
A Roman tradition spanning over two centuries
The Piazza Navona Festival is, for Romans, the event that truly marks the beginning of the holiday season. The Christmas market has deep roots in an ancient custom: for over two hundred years, toy and sweet stalls were held first in Piazza Sant'Eustachio and later, after the Unification of Italy, here in the Baroque square designed around the Fountain of the Four Rivers. It is a deeply popular celebration that fills Rome's Historic Center every December with families, children, and curious visitors until late at night.
The market: crafts, nativity scenes, and flavors
The wooden stalls lining the square offer a selection that has been firmly refocused in recent years on authentic craftsmanship and quality: handcrafted nativity scenes, figurines, Christmas decorations, wooden toys, unique gift ideas, books for all ages, and, of course, traditional holiday delicacies, from nougat to brittle, and from Roman dry pastries to Befana candies. There is also the traditional sweet coal, the playful gift that, according to legend, the old woman leaves for children who haven't been quite so good.
- Handcrafted nativity scenes and handmade decorations
- Wooden toys and gift ideas
- Traditional Roman sweets and sweet coal
- Information stands for municipal services and non-profit organizations
Shows, music, and activities for children
Alongside the market, the City of Rome organizes a calendar of free events each year designed especially for families: puppet theater, daily entertainment, musical moments, readings, and creative workshops hosted by the Libraries of Rome. Recent editions have also featured performances by the Rome Capital Local Police Band and themed evenings, such as an open-air Argentine tango milonga in the square.
January 6th: the descent of the Befana
The grand finale takes place on Epiphany. The Befana descends onto Piazza Navona with the assistance of the Fire Brigade, rappelling from above to the cheers of children, to distribute sweets and conclude a month of festivities. It is one of the most photographed moments of the Roman winter and remains an unmissable ritual for many families in the capital.
Where and when
The event takes place entirely in Piazza Navona, in the Parione district, in the heart of Municipality I of Rome, the capital of the Metropolitan City of Rome and the Lazio Region. Access to the square and all performances is free; you only pay for what you purchase at the stalls. The square remains lively from morning until night, with extended hours on weekends and holidays.
Why it's worth it
More than just a simple Christmas market, the Piazza Navona Festival is a piece of the city's identity: people come here for the Befana, an entirely Italian folkloric figure whose origins date back to ancient Roman winter solstice celebrations, long before Santa Claus entered the collective imagination. Strolling among the stalls, with the illuminated Baroque facades and Bernini's fountain in the background, is an experience that no other Italian market can offer.
Piazza Navona Festival — edition 2026
Piazza Navona Festival 2025/2026
From December 1st, 2025, to January 6th, 2026, Piazza Navona returned to being the Christmas living room of Rome. The official inauguration was held on Saturday, December 6th, 2025, at 11:00 AM in the presence of Mayor Roberto Gualtieri.
The square remained open every day from 9:00 AM to 1:00 AM, with extensions until 2:00 AM on weekends and holidays. The stalls offered handcrafted nativity scenes, handmade decorations, wooden toys, gift ideas, and typical gastronomic products; a new nativity scene was also set up in the square.
Edition highlights
- December 6th, 2025 — inauguration at 11:00 AM and performance by the Rome Capital Local Police Band
- December 20th, 2025 — Milonga of Peace: the square transformed into an open-air milonga, from 9:00 PM to 12:30 AM
- December 21st, 2025 — new concert by the Local Police Band
- December 22-28, 2025 — Rome Magic, an AI experience to be portrayed as ancient Romans
- January 4th, 2026 — third performance by the Local Police Band
- January 6th, 2026 — descent of the Befana at 2:00 PM, with the support of the Fire Brigade
Throughout the event, the traditional puppet theater, daily entertainment, readings, and creative workshops by the Libraries of Rome took place, in addition to information stands for municipal services and non-profit organizations.
Programme Piazza Navona Festival 2026
2025/2026 Program
Opening — square and market open every day from 9:00 AM to 1:00 AM (until 2:00 AM on weekends and holidays), from December 1st, 2025, to January 6th, 2026.
- Saturday, December 6th, 2025, 11:00 AM — official inauguration with Mayor Roberto Gualtieri; performance by the Rome Capital Local Police Band
- Saturday, December 20th, 2025, 9:00 PM - 12:30 AM — Milonga of Peace, open-air Argentine tango in the square
- Sunday, December 21st, 2025 — concert by the Rome Capital Local Police Band
- December 22nd to 28th, 2025 — Rome Magic: augmented reality and AI installation with souvenir photos in ancient Roman attire
- Sunday, January 4th, 2026 — concert by the Rome Capital Local Police Band
- Tuesday, January 6th, 2026, 2:00 PM — descent of the Befana with the Fire Brigade and distribution of sweets to children
Every day — puppet theater, entertainment, and musical moments; readings, creative workshops, and educational activities for children by the Libraries of Rome; nativity scene set up in the square; information stands for municipal services and associations.
Highlights Piazza Navona Festival 2026
- Descent of the Befana from above on January 6th at 2:00 PM, with the Fire Brigade
- Milonga of Peace on December 20th: open-air Argentine tango among Bernini's fountains
- Three concerts by the Rome Capital Local Police Band
- Rome Magic: the AI experience to dress up as ancient Romans
- Puppet theater and workshops by the Libraries of Rome for children
Prices Piazza Navona Festival 2026
Practical information — Piazza Navona Festival
How to get there
Piazza Navona is not directly served by the metro: the closest stops are Spagna or Barberini (Line A), about a 20-minute walk away. Buses are more convenient, stopping at Corso Vittorio Emanuele II or Corso del Rinascimento (lines 30, 40, 46, 62, 64, 70, 81, 87, 492, 628). Those arriving by train should get off at Roma Termini and continue by bus or on foot (about 30 minutes).
Car and parking
The Historic Center is a restricted traffic zone (ZTL): driving is strongly discouraged. The most practical park-and-ride facilities are those along the metro lines; alternatively, use the Villa Borghese parking garage.
Prices
Free admission to the square and all shows and entertainment. You only pay for purchases made at the stalls and food kiosks.
Tips
The square is very crowded on December weekends and on January 5th-6th: those traveling with small children or strollers should choose the early morning hours or weekdays. For the descent of the Befana, it is advisable to arrive well in advance.
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Where does it take place — Piazza Navona Festival
Piazza Navona
Piazza Navona, 00186 Roma