Not sure what to do during the Christmas holidays? In Italy, Christmas is sacred—not only for its religious meaning, but also for the many traditions Italians have been bringing to the table for generations. Good company, great food and excellent wine are the ingredients that make every festive day unforgettable. So, what are you waiting for? Come to Rome and become part of our family here at Dilit. During the holidays, Rome fills with magic and traditions waiting to be discovered.
In Rome, Christmas brings a brand-new energy to the city starting in late November: the air feels crisp, days get shorter, and the streets begin to glow with lights. Walking through the historic center, you immediately sense something special: shop windows dress up for the season, cafés smell of cinnamon and hot chocolate, and every neighborhood shares that very Italian desire to be together—even for a simple evening stroll among the Christmas lights.
In Piazza Navona, among stalls and decorations, you can taste traditional sweets and pick up small gifts to bring back home. It’s the perfect place to see the city “in celebration” and, for Italian learners, to train your ear: between tourists and locals you’ll hear different accents, typical expressions and everyday conversations. And you wouldn’t want to miss the Italian tradition of nativity scenes, would you? It’s not just a religious symbol, but an open-air theatre of crafts and daily life. You’ll find them in churches and public spaces: this is how history and culture fill every corner of the Eternal City during the Christmas season.
But that’s not all! During Advent, Roman churches host concerts, choirs and celebrations. Stepping into a basilica at this time of year means living an authentic moment of Italian culture: silence, music, candles, architecture, tradition, history and faith. On the night between December 24 and 25, many people attend Midnight Mass—a ritual that, for many Romans, is also a way to reunite with family and keep an ancient tradition alive.
If you spend Christmas in Rome, don’t miss a walk through the city center with a hot chocolate—or why not visit the traditional Christmas market in Piazza Mazzini.
And the best part for anyone learning Italian is that every activity becomes a mini lesson: asking for information, reading signs, listening to conversations, chatting with a barista or a shopkeeper. That’s how language truly enters daily life—and here, trust us, you won’t be able to avoid it. Rome welcomes you with its unmistakable warmth, and we’ll be waiting at school to give you an experience you’ll remember for a lifetime.
In Italy, Christmas is—above all—a culinary celebration with a timeless, bold flavour. Traditions change from region to region, but in Rome (and Lazio) some customs are especially common. On December 24, many families enjoy the “cenone” (a big feast!) of Christmas Eve, often with fish dishes: pasta with clams, fried seafood, salted cod, salmon, butter-based specialities and plenty of good white wine. Then, on December 25, it’s time for the great lunch: rich starters again, baked pasta or lasagne, and often a main course that certainly doesn’t go unnoticed—like roasted lamb with potatoes or seasonal vegetables. And finally… desserts, where we truly shine. The most famous are panettone and pandoro, but you’ll also find nougat, dried fruit and cookies. And yes, you’ll see Christmas sweets in Italian supermarkets starting in November—because we like to plan ahead and we definitely don’t want to be late!
If you’re coming from far away, this is the perfect time to discover not only new flavours, but also new words: in Italy, we talk a lot about food at the table, and conversations become an exceptional linguistic-and-culinary workshop. Between a bite and a sip, you’ll learn so much. Still, your real progress will come from our incredible Italian lessons—because at Christmas, Dilit also turns red with joy (and you’ll find that all year round). So, what are you waiting for? You’ll see—just like pasta with ragù—you’ll want a second serving and you’ll be back to visit us soon!
And you surely wouldn’t want to miss the magical Roman New Year’s Eve! With fireworks and nights full of fun, Rome is a perfect choice to welcome the New Year. Usually, we meet up with friends or relatives, sit around the table together, eat and drink while waiting for midnight—and after wishing everyone a “Happy New Year!”, we eat lentils with cotechino. People say it brings luck and money for the year ahead! You never know… better not tempt fate. Aren’t you curious to taste these delicious traditions?
In Italy we say, “The Epiphany takes all holidays away.” Exactly: the celebrations don’t end on December 25. On January 6, everything turns festive again while waiting for La Befana, a traditional figure who brings sweets to “good” children and coal (don’t worry—it’s sugar!) to “naughty” ones. Every child looks forward to opening their colorful stocking filled with all kinds of treats.
And this is where Christmas can become something even more special: combining travel with Italian language study through a structured, engaging and truly “live” experience. And where, if not at Dilit?
During the Christmas season, studying can feel even more exciting: traditions, recipes, markets, songs and holiday habits offer priceless opportunities to practice conversation, enrich your vocabulary and improve your speaking skills. Here’s a tiny useful Christmas phrasebook: “Merry Christmas! / Happy holidays!”, “Happy New Year”, “To you and your family”. In short, Rome at Christmas tells its own story—through lights, food, traditions and people. And learning Italian while you live it is the best way to feel part of that story. We’ll be waiting for you at Dilit: to study, speak, explore Rome and take home not only memories, but a new language too.
Martina D'Errico
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