How to Buy Pantheon Tickets for the Christmas and New Year Period
Over the festive season, plan around the closures: the Pantheon is closed to tourists on 25 December (though it opens for Christmas Mass) and closed on 1 January, with possible reduced hours on some other holidays. It’s a busy, atmospheric time, so pre-book a timed ticket for the days you can visit. Here’s how to time your visit and book over Christmas and New Year.
Festive-period closures and hours
- 25 December: closed to tourists (open for Christmas Mass).
- 1 January: closed.
- Other holidays (e.g. around the period): standard hours of 9:00 am–7:00 pm usually apply, but some holidays can bring reduced hours.
- Always check the official calendar close to your dates, as festive hours can change.
Can you attend Christmas Mass?
Yes — although it’s closed to tourist sightseeing on 25 December, the Pantheon opens for Christmas Mass as the working basilica of Santa Maria ad Martyres. Worshippers attend free, and Mass beneath the open oculus is a profoundly atmospheric experience. The time is announced closer to the date on the official calendar, so check ahead if you’d like to take part.
Expect crowds and book ahead
Rome is hugely popular over Christmas and New Year, and the Pantheon is no exception, so the open days get busy. Pre-booking a timed ticket online is the way to skip the ticket-buying queue and guarantee entry on a packed festive day. Don’t rely on walking up, especially around New Year when the city centre is thronged.
Best days and times to visit
Visit on the open days around the holidays rather than the closed dates, and aim for the first slot after the 9:00 am opening, when even festive crowds are thinnest and the winter light is lovely. Mid-morning to mid-afternoon will be busiest. Booking an early slot is the single best way to enjoy a calm visit during a hectic period.
Winter visiting in general
Outside the immediate holidays, winter is actually low season, with some of the year’s smallest crowds — so a December or January weekday (avoiding the festive peak and the closures) can give you a wonderfully quiet Pantheon. The interior isn’t heated and the oculus is open, so wrap up warm, and remember a rainy winter’s day brings the bonus of seeing rain fall through the oculus.
What to check before booking
- The exact opening days and hours for your festive dates.
- Whether your date is a closure (25 December, 1 January).
- Mass times if you want to attend rather than sightsee.
- A timed slot early in the day to beat the crowds.
- A flexible ticket if your festive plans might shift.
Pair it with festive Rome
A Pantheon visit slots beautifully into a festive day in the centre, near Christmas markets, the nativity scenes in nearby churches, and the lights of Piazza Navona, which has a long tradition as a Christmas square. Combine an early Pantheon slot with a wander through the decorated centre for a magical winter morning.
Tips for a festive Pantheon visit
- Avoid 25 December and 1 January for sightseeing (Mass aside).
- Pre-book an early slot to skip the holiday crowds.
- Dress warmly — no heating, and the oculus is open.
- Check the official calendar for festive hours.
- Consider a quiet winter weekday for the calmest visit.
What to wear and bring in winter
- Warm layers — there’s no heating, and the oculus is open to the sky.
- A waterproof jacket or poncho — umbrellas aren’t allowed inside.
- Grippy shoes in case of wet, slippery marble.
- A small bag only — large bags aren’t allowed inside.
- Your e-ticket ready to skip the holiday queue.
Book your festive-period Pantheon ticket
To visit over Christmas and New Year without the queue, pre-book a timed Pantheon ticket online for one of the open days — ideally an early slot. Check the festive calendar, secure your slot, and enjoy one of Rome’s greatest sights at its most atmospheric time of year.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Pantheon open on Christmas Day?
It’s closed to tourists on 25 December but opens for Christmas Mass.
Is it open on New Year’s Day?
No — it’s closed on 1 January.
Can I attend Christmas Mass?
Yes — worshippers attend free; the time is announced on the official calendar.
Is the festive period crowded?
Yes — pre-book a timed ticket and aim for an early slot.
Is winter a good time to visit otherwise?
Yes — outside the holidays, winter is low season with small crowds; just dress warmly.
Where do I confirm festive hours?
On the official calendar, close to your dates, as holiday hours can change.