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With Christmas fast approaching, Naples in December is full of festive fun, and you can join in the celebrations if you visit this month.
Neapolitans and Campanians take their Christmas lights very seriously – the whole region is lit up at this time of year! Photo credit Giovanni Cuomo
Everything you need to know about Naples in December
If you are planning to visit Naples in December, you are in for a treat! The city is quiet and Naples is beginning to light up for the holidays, plus the November rain starts to ease so the weather is a little better for sightseeing.
The crowds increase as we get closer to the Christmas celebrations but if you come in the first few weeks there are no crowds at all! I always save my Pompeii and Herculaneum visits for this time of year when I know I can explore at my own pace.
Keep an eye out if visiting Naples in December for these incredibly detailed Nativity scenes, ready to be filled with presepe figurines for Christmas
Here’s what you need to know about visiting Naples at this time of year:
Naples weather in December
Even though we are fast approaching winter, it always seems to rain a little less in December than in November, and the days can be clear, sunny and crisp. The average daily temperature is around 58°F/14°C and the night time low temperature is around 44°F/7°C so it definitely feels cold in the evenings.
November is the wettest month in Naples and so at the start of December we have a higher chance of seeing some rainy days. As the month goes on this chance of rain gets lower, but is always a possibility. It is exceptionally rare to get snow in Naples so this isn’t something to worry about.
You can still expect some sunny and warm days even in December, allowing you to explore outdoors
On the Amalfi coast and in Sorrento the weather is very similar. The winter sun can feel warm at points but it’s far too cold to go to the beach! Only the basic ferry routes operate in December because of the rough seas so you’re unlikely to be out on the water at all.
What to pack for Naples Italy in December
As with a trip to pretty much any Italian city this time of year, you should include plenty of layers in your packing. If the sun is out, it can feel pretty mild during the day, but in the mornings and after the sun sets it will feel much colder!
Think long sleeve t-shirts, heavy pants or jeans, warm pullovers and cardigans, plus a good, waterproof jacket/coat. Don’t forget a scarf or two, as well as an umbrella and maybe a warm hat.
You don’t need to pack super heavy winter jumpers and jackets however as it’s still milder than places in the north of Italy.
Discover all our must-have items for any trip to Italy in the winter:
General Naples packing tips
There are certain things you’ll want to include in your packing whatever time of year you visit Naples, and I recommend that you keep these travel essentials with you in your carry on bags to avoid any problems, including:
You should also make sure to have copies of your passport (either paper photocopies or digital copies on your cell phone), the details of your travel including hotels and transfers and any medications that you need to take regularly.
Click to view the essential things you should always have when traveling:
What to wear during a December visit to Naples
There are two rules that apply year-round when deciding what to wear in Naples, but really, they apply anywhere in Italy!
Rule 1 – Be comfortable
I cannot stress enough how important it is to think about your comfort when it comes to packing. As much as you will need clothes that keep you warm and dry without being too hot, this applies to your shoes above everything else. You’ll likely end up walking around a lot more than you think you will, so having comfortable shoes is absolutely essential!
I have two pairs of walking shoes and sneakers in my rotation at any one time. This means I can change them out from day to day if my feet are particularly tired, and continue this habit when I travel anywhere.
You don’t need to worry about not looking like a tourist, it’s far more important that you have the right footwear for your planned activities!
Want to know more about what to pack for a trip to Naples & Campania?
Check out our guide dedicated to what to pack including recommended and must have items, and our personal tips from years of travel experience:
Rule 2 – Dress in layers
With the difference in average temperature during daylight hours and at night, as well as thinking about all the different activities you can do in Naples, you need layering options. Being able to add or take off layers as needed makes all the difference!
Be sure to bring a small backpack or day bag that you can put a scarf, jumper or jacket in as you’re walking around or visiting sights.
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Is December a good time to visit Naples Italy?
Early December is extremely quiet so it is an excellent time to come to Naples and Campania. You can see all the sights you want without having to book in advance and will have some places almost to yourself. This is on the basis that you don’t mind some rainy days and colder weather. If you’re after sunny walks along the coast this is not the right time for you!
As we get close to the Christmas holidays, Naples gets very busy all of a sudden. If you’d like to spend Christmas here it is a really lovely place to celebrate, but your sightseeing options are smaller due to the holiday closures.
I would not recommend staying on the Amalfi coast or in Sorrento in December. They make super festive day trips from Naples, but staying down here is difficult in December when so much is closed up until spring.
While we do not recommend visiting some areas like the Amalfi Coast in the winter due to the weather, locations like Salerno are worth a visit and easy reached via train
Visiting Naples or Campania from Rome?
If you’re looking to visit Naples or Campania from Rome for a day trip, be sure to check out these incredible tours from our friends at Take Walks.
Each experience offers you an easy way to visit sites like Pompeii, Vesuvius or the Amalfi Coast from Rome. Transport and tickets are all taken care of, leaving you to focus 100% on enjoying your time here!
How crowded is Naples during December?
December is not crowded at all, until it is. If you come in early December you will have your pick of restaurants, cheaper hotels and can walk up to any site or museum without securing tickets in advance.
However as I just mentioned, the Christmas holidays turn into a brief high season. This lasts from around December 20 to the first week of January when many Italians take a vacation. Spending Christmas and/or the New Year in Naples is a lot of fun, but you’ll need to book your accommodation well in advance and be prepared for higher rates.
The crowds are mainly Italians so you should book restaurants in advance, but generally the museums and other sights don’t get too busy. Remember to check their opening hours and days as the holidays often mean changes to opening schedules!
Curious to know more, or want to share your own tips? Leave a comment!
What food to eat in December in Naples
Lots of tasty seasonal food appears in markets during December, including cauliflower, clementines, radicchio and the somewhat controversial brussels sprouts. You’ll see plenty of people skipping appetizers and going straight for the pastas and second courses which make the most of these lovely vegetables.
I particularly like getting a big plate of Neapolitan polpette (meatballs) which are served in a rich, garlic tomato sauce. They come on their own, not with pasta, so get a plate on the side of mixed vegetables to try a selection of what is in season.
Of course there are many Christmas-specific treats to try as well. My favorite is struffoli, a pile of small balls of fried dough stuck together with a sugary glaze and topped with colored sprinkles. They’re delicious, but you should get some from a bakery rather than a supermarket for the best flavor and texture.
A classic Neapolitan dish that is popular in winter is sausage with friarielli (a type of broccoli) – one of Warren’s favorites!
What to do during December 2024 in Naples Italy
December holidays and special dates in Naples
There are plenty of holidays in December, including:
December 8 – Immacolata
The Catholic holiday of the Immaculate Conception, or Immacolata, is celebrated on December 8.
As a national holiday, most businesses will be closed, but you’ll find most restaurants along with major sites and museums pretty much as normal.
December 16 – Festa di San Gennaro
The third and final Miracle of the Blood ceremony takes place on December 16 each year in Naples cathedral. Unconnected to Christmas, this festival remembers the day San Gennaro was called upon to stop a huge eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 1631. Naples had prayed to San Gennaro to protect the city and wondrously, the lava flows stopped at the city gates.
The saints’ blood is brought out in its special ampoule and is shown to the congregation to be a solid mass. After a service and prayer, the blood is once again held up and if it has liquefied, this is a sign from San Gennaro that he has blessed Naples and its people once more.
A priest at Naples Cathedral showing the liquefied blood of San Gennaro
You’ll see Christmas decorations all over Naples and Campania, just like anywhere in Italy at this time of year
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Christmas Celebrations
After the Immacolata holiday you will start to see Christmas lights going up all over the city. Naples goes all out so you will be able to admire them everywhere! The main Christmas tree is always in Piazza del Plebiscito as well.
Christmas markets are not really a thing in the south, but there are a few that are worth visiting. The year-round shops in via San Gregorio Armeno are extended into a Christmas market in Naples. Sorrento and Salerno both put on festive markets, and the town of Caserta holds a large market as well. Always double check the dates of these markets as they tend not to run for the whole of December like the big ones in Rome.
December 24, 25 and 26 – Christmas holidays
Christmas Eve is one of the most important dates on the Christmas calendar for Italians. Most people we know care more about the fish-based dinner on Christmas Eve than the lunch on Christmas Day!
Many churches hold midnight mass on Christmas Eve, and many businesses close early to allow their staff to celebrate.
December 25 is of course Christmas Day, Natale in Italian, and this is a day to spend with families. No sites or museums will be open and neither will the vast majority of shops. However, some restaurants will be open for lunch. It’s traditional to go for a long walk after lunch so often cafes or bars will open for a few hours in the afternoon.
December 26 is the final day of the Christmas holidays, dedicated to St Stephen. In lots of countries, this is a day to shop post-Christmas, but in Italy it’s considered an extension of the Christmas season.
Shops and businesses remain closed, but just about every other site and museum is open on this day, so it’s a great time to do some sightseeing in Naples!
December 31 – New Year’s Eve
New Year’s Eve is huge in Naples. There are lots of parties and events all over the city, but the main event is at Piazza del Plebiscito where there is a big free concert and then fireworks are set off near Castel dell’Ovo. This is the official fireworks display, but people set off their own fireworks all night long.
If you want to go out for dinner you have to book in advance as everywhere will be full, and even though it is pretty crazy the atmosphere is so fun!
Discover what’s on in Naples and Campania
There’s no shortage of special events, exhibitions and unique experiences happening right now in Naples and Campania! Check out the full listing here:
Free Things to do during December in Naples
On the first Sunday of each month, a number of museums, art galleries and archeological sites are open for free to all visitors all over Italy.
In the city of Naples you can get free entry to many places, including these locations:
- MANN – National Archeological Museum of Naples
- Royal Palace of Naples
- Capodimonte Museum
- Castel Sant’Elmo
- The Museum and Charterhouse of San Martino
In Campania, you can visit some locations for free as well, including:
- Pompeii
- Herculaneum
- The archeological park and museum at Paestum
- The ancient Roman villas at Oplontis and Stabiae
- The sites within the Phlegrean Fields area
Booking in advance for the Free Sunday is not generally possible so aim to arrive early and expect large lines at the most popular sights – particularly Pompeii.
December is a great month to visit museums and galleries when there are few visitors and locals are focused on preparing for the festive season
If you have another day when you could visit Pompeii, I would recommend avoiding the Free Sunday event and visiting one of the other free sites, saving your Pompeii sightseeing for a different day when it will be easier to get in.
Of course, there are lots of other things you can do for free at any time. Browse the stalls in San Gregorio Armeno (‘Christmas Alley’) and get ready for Christmas, or head up to the Vomero hill and admire the view of the city and Mount Vesuvius. These are just some of the free Naples experiences you can have!
More ideas for things to do in Naples during December
Perhaps this is your second, third or more time visiting Naples, or you have time spare in your travel plans and explore further afield in Campania. Luckily, as well as all the must-see attractions, there are lots of other fantastic things to see and do here!
Check out our dedicated page all about exploring beyond Naples for some ideas, or set your sights on other Italian destinations. With the great railway network that runs up and down the country you can easily do some day trips to Rome or Florence, or head south to Salerno to see a different city in Campania!
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To sum up…
Celebrating Christmas and the New Year in Naples is a lot of fun, but the city will be very busy. If you’re looking for a quieter trip, come early to Naples in December and avoid the crowds while still being able to enjoy the pretty decorations.
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