What's happening in Italy this week

From a key budget vote to Christmas celebrations and free entry to Rome’s Vatican Museums, here’s what to expect in Italy this week.

Monday, December 22nd – School’s out for the winter break

From Monday schools around Italy will close for the end of term, with exact finish dates varying by region.

The school holidays last until January 7th.

Tuesday, December 23rd – Senate vote on 2026 budget

Italy’s Senate is set to vote on next year’s budget on Tuesday, after the government last week made last-minute amendments worth €3.5 billion.

The proposed changes include a €780 million funding delay for the Messina Strait Bridge, days after the government shelved controversial plans to raise the flat-tax rate on short-term rental income from 21 to 26 percent.

The budget bill will then move to the Chamber of Deputies for final approval before the end of the year.

Wednesday, December 24th – Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve, or la Vigilia, isn’t a public holiday in Italy, though many employers give their workers the day off anyway.

It’s traditional to eat a seafood dinner in the evening before heading off to attend Christmas Eve mass.

People in Rome can attend a 10pm service presided over by the Pope at St. Peter’s Basilica (with advance booking); those who can’t get a ticket can follow along on the giant screens installed in St. Peter’s Square outside.

Thursday, December 25th – Christmas Day

Italy mostly shuts down on Christmas Day, though some state-run museums and cultural sites remain open with reduced opening hours.

A list of museums that will continue operating during the holidays is expected to be published by Italy’s culture ministry in the coming days.

All buses, trams and metros in Rome will be in service from 8.30am to 1pm and then again from 4.30pm to 9pm.

Milan’s metro lines will follow the Saturday schedule on Christmas Eve and will run from 7am to 7.30pm on Christmas Day.

Friday, December 26th – Boxing Day public holiday

December 26th, known in Italy or St. Stephen’s Day (Santo Stefano) in commemoration of the first Christian martyr, is a public holiday in Italy.

Italians spend it recovering from their Christmas Day cenone, snacking on leftover panettone and pandoro, and relaxing in front of a cinepanettone.

Sunday, December 28th – Free entry to Vatican Museums

As it’s the last Sunday of the month, visitors to the Vatican Museums will be able to enter for free on December 28th.

The museums are open continuously from 9am until 2pm, with last entrance at 12.30pm.

What’s happening in Italy this week

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