Christmas Day & New Years in Rome
 

Christmas Day and New Years day - Do you know if the major tourist sites are closed on the actual holidays (Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Square, Pantheon, Colosseum)? If they are closed, do you have any suggestions on what we can do or see on the holidays? (Traveling w/3 boys-16,14,11). Thanks!

The Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel will be closed both days. St. Peter's Square is always "open" but on Christmas Day, and I believe New Year's Day, there is a special Mass presided over by the Pope. It may take place in the Square and during the Mass, you will not be able to go into the Basilica. Both holidays fall on a Sunday. The Pantheon is a church and is open on Sundays, but again, Mass may be going on inside. The Forum and Colosseum may be open on both days. The Time Elevator may be open, it was on Easter Sunday.

Along the same lines - what to do in the afternoons?

It looks like many of the "must sees" stop letting you in at 1 (or so) and kick you out at 2 (or so) in winter.

It's beginning to look like I'll have really hectic mornings followed by lots of blank space and nothing to fill it. For people who went to Rome off-season, what did you do with the second half of your day?

Shopped and ate. :-D

I would recommend hitting up the attractions that have their riposo, afternoon eat and nap time, in the morning and then, go see some of the churches. The Vatican museums are open thru riposo as is St Peters, the Pantheon, Colloseum, Forum etc. If you have a guide book just check on the times or search on here. However, be warned the Vatican has odd hours on Saturdays. I just took my sister there recently on a Saturday and were surprised to see that they closed around 1230, I think. Maybe that was the last time they let people in. I would warn of dress code but being that it is in the winter, there is probably nothing to worry about.
Also, I believe alot of museums are open thru the riposo. ANd, if you do not have tickets to the Papal addresses, I would steer clear of the Vatican area since it should be blocked off and may pilgrims and tourists alike will be crowded in the square to hear Papa speak..and you must pay to see it!

Pay to see the Pope in Vatican Square? I've been before, and had tickets, but they were always free. Just a crowd control thing. Are they charging now?

I dont think so, I just reviewed what I had wrote. I looked on some website, a convent in the area, and I read that you had to. I honestly do not remember writing that. I know you dont have to pay. I have no clue what I was thinking! I think I must have been referencing something and just got lost! I am sorry!!!

St. Peters is open during the day. The Papal mass on Christmas day is at 12:00 I believe and is in St. Peters square. If you get there at 10;00am then you can visit the chuch before the mass. If you are quick you can get a seat in front of where the pope sits. The mass is very cool. There are many Restaurants open on Christmas day and on New Years so finding a place to eat wont be a problem. The Pantheon is open but I cant remember if the colosseum is open but I wouldn't be suprised if it is. There will be plenty of things to do. The big holidays are Christmas Eve and New Years Eve. Make dinner reservations early.

We will be in Rome for the Christmas time. How do we get to see the services? Where do we get tickets? Where should we go... we are just college student, very little money and first time away for the holidays? We will be there for 4 days around xmas and then 4 days around new years! We are staying in a hostel.. PLEASE help

For tickets for services at St. Peter's Basilica, check out the Web site of the American church in Rome:

www.santasusanna.org

Santa Susanna has not provided either Christmas or Easter Mass tickets for about a year. From their website:

"If you want to apply for a ticket for Christmas or Easter, you can contact Monsignor Roger Roensch or Sister Mary Joanna RSM and Sister Mary Angela RSM, at the Bishops Office for U.S. Visitors Office to the Vatican, Via dell' Umiltá 30, 00187 Rome, Italy.

You can telephone them at (011-3906) 690011 or send them a fax at (011-3906) 679-1448.

They can also be reached by email at: [email protected]"

Grinisa:

Thank you for the confirmation. I did NOT say that Santa Susanna itself provided tickets, I suggested that the original poster check out the Web site. If s/he did so, s/he would evidently find the information that you have just kindly provided.