Italy Rome Weather in December — Climate Guide
December in Rome is Good
December is Good for Rome.
December is Rome's festive month — Christmas markets, lit Piazza Navona, Vatican holiday Mass. The Piazza Navona market (Dec 1 - Jan 6) is the iconic Roman Christmas scene with handmade ornaments and panettone vendors. Hotels at moderate pricing except Dec 23-Jan 2 (Christmas-NYE spike). The Christmas Eve Midnight Mass at St. Peter's Basilica requires tickets (free, advance booking) and queue 1-2 hours.
Travel score
Winter + Christmas + Vatican Midnight Mass + Korean year-end
December Weather at a Glance
December averages 57°F / 14°C highs and 41°F / 5°C lows — proper winter. 9 rainy days, 95mm. Humidity 80% + 5 hours of sunshine. Christmas on Via del Corso + Piazza Navona Christmas Market (Dec 1 - Jan 6 Epiphany) + Vatican Christmas Eve Midnight Mass (Dec 24 10 PM, Pope-led).
December Travel Advice
Heavy coat + scarf + umbrella. December 8 Immacolata Concezione (public holiday) + December 25-26 Natale (Christmas + Santo Stefano public holiday). Vatican Christmas Eve Midnight Mass (Dec 24 10 PM, Pope-led, St. Peter's Square free) #1. December 31 Capodanno (countdown, concert near Colosseum).
Flying In from Overseas
Korean year-end holiday (Dec 20 - Jan 5) drives 2x baseline — Asia-Rome $1,400-2,450 round-trip. First 2 weeks of December are the last value window.
December Pricing Trends
Year-end hotels 2-3x — Centro Storico 3-star $350-630/night. December 27-31 is the year's highest. Via Veneto 5-star $1,050-2,450.
Rome December Weather Stats
Avg High
13°C
Avg Low
4°C
Rainy Days
9
90mm total
Sunshine
4h
Daily avg
Humidity
78%
Mild
UV Index
1
Low
Wind
9 km/h
Gusts 18
Sea Temp
15°C
Avg water temp
Crowds
Moderate
At attractions
December Sunrise & Sunset
Air Quality
PM2.5
22 μg/m³
PM10
35 μg/m³
Status
Moderate
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
11°C
Nighttime
2°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
9 km/h
Max gust 18 km/h
Activities Recommended for December
December Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Piazza Navona Christmas market (Dec-Jan)
- Vatican holiday services
- Cooler crowds outside Christmas-NYE
Cons
- Christmas-NYE week prices double
- Rain frequent
- Short daylight
December Events & Festivals
- Christmas Markets at Piazza Navona (Dec 1 - Jan 6)
- Christmas Eve Mass at St. Peter's Basilica
- New Year's fireworks at Piazza del Popolo
Rome in December — Full Picture
December is Rome's festive month — Christmas markets, lit Piazza Navona, Vatican holiday Mass. The Piazza Navona market (Dec 1 - Jan 6) is the iconic Roman Christmas scene with handmade ornaments and panettone vendors. Hotels at moderate pricing except Dec 23-Jan 2 (Christmas-NYE spike). The Christmas Eve Midnight Mass at St. Peter's Basilica requires tickets (free, advance booking) and queue 1-2 hours.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Winter. 13°C/4°C — comparable to a mild UK or US Northeast winter day. Medium-weight coat, scarf, gloves. Sturdy shoes for slippery cobblestones.
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
19.7°C
9°C
7/mo
Summer (Jun·Jul·Aug)
30°C
18°C
3/mo
Autumn (Sep·Oct·Nov)
21.7°C
12°C
7.3/mo
Winter (Dec·Jan·Feb)
Current12.7°C
3.7°C
8/mo
Rome Monthly Weather Comparison
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Humid | UV | Crowd | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12° | 3° | 8d·75mm | 4h | 75% | 1 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 13° | 4° | 7d·70mm | 4.5h | 73% | 2 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 16° | 6° | 7d·65mm | 5.5h | 70% | 4 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| April (Best) | 19° | 9° | 8d·65mm | 6.5h | 70% | 6 | Busy | Peak |
| May (Best) | 24° | 12° | 6d·50mm | 8h | 65% | 8 | Busy | Peak |
| June (Best) | 28° | 16° | 4d·35mm | 9.5h | 60% | 9 | Very busy | Peak |
| 31° | 19° | 2d·20mm | 10.5h | 55% | 10 | Very busy | Peak | |
| 31° | 19° | 3d·25mm | 10h | 58% | 10 | Very busy | Peak | |
| September (Best) | 27° | 16° | 5d·60mm | 7.5h | 64% | 7 | Busy | Peak |
| October (Best) | 22° | 12° | 8d·95mm | 6h | 72% | 5 | Moderate | Shoulder |
| 16° | 8° | 9d·100mm | 4.5h | 78% | 2 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 13° | 4° | 9d·90mm | 4h | 78% | 1 | Moderate | Shoulder |
View Other Months
Rome December Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is December a good time to visit Rome?
Rome in December is Good. Tourist crowds are moderate and flight/hotel prices are shoulder.
What's the average temperature in Rome in December?
Rome December averages a high of 13°C and a low of 4°C.
Does it rain much in Rome in December?
Rome December averages 90mm of rainfall over about 9 rainy days.
What should I wear in Rome in December?
Winter. 13°C/4°C — comparable to a mild UK or US Northeast winter day. Medium-weight coat, scarf, gloves. Sturdy shoes for slippery cobblestones.
What time are sunrise and sunset in Rome in December?
Rome December sunrise is 07:35 and sunset is 16:45, with 9h 10m of daylight.
What's the air quality like in Rome in December?
Rome December air quality (AQI) averages 50, rated Good. PM2.5 averages 22μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in Rome in December?
In December, Rome is great for Piazza Navona Christmas market, Vatican Christmas Eve Mass, Trattoria long winter dinners.
Is December peak season in Rome?
Rome December crowds are moderate and prices are shoulder. You can travel relatively comfortably without long queues.
Best Months to Visit Rome
View Other Months
Why you can trust weather guide
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.