Celebrating Christmas 2024 in the Eternal City.

The Christmas season in Rome is a particularly festive experience thanks to street lights, rich traditions and Nativity scenes in churches around the Italian capital.Rome's Christmas tree is in Piazza del Popolo again this year, away from its traditional base at Piazza Venezia where major works are underway for the new Metro C subway station.

There are Christmas lights all along the central Via del Corso as well as on Via dei Condotti, the exclusive shopping street near Piazza di Spagna.

There is also a giant Christmas tree and floating Nativity scene in St Peter's Square and a futuristic installation sponsored by Bulgari at the top of the Spanish Steps.

Christmas mangers and Nativity scenes can be seen in churches throughout the capital including the international crib exhibition 100 Presepi under the colonnade in St Peter's Square.

• Best things to do in Rome in December 2024

Rome has plenty of Christmas markets over the festive period, including in Piazza Navona, as well as Christmas World in Villa Borghese, with carousels, ice-skating rinks and plenty of fun for kids.There are numerous Christmas church services in English while for the programme of Pope Francis, including his Urbi et Orbi blessing on Christmas Day, consult the Vatican website.

It wouldn't be Christmas in Rome without Tchaikovsky's mesmerising ballet, The Nutcracker, staged at the city's opera house from 15-24 December.

The Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia offers a busy calendar of classical music concerts in the run-up to Christmas too.

Other cultural events in Rome this Christmas include the Roma Gospel Festival at the Auditorium Parco della Musica, the Guercino exhibition at the Scuderie del Quirinale and the Trame di Luce festival of lights at the Botanic Garden in Trastevere.

The capital's public transport services follow a reduced timetable on Christmas Day, while those planning to dine in Rome restaurants over the festive period are advised to book well in advance due to high demand.

This Christmas in Rome also coincides with the official start of the Vatican's Jubilee Year, on the evening of 24 December, when Pope Francis will open the Holy Door at St Peter's Basilica.