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Events in Rome
Below you will find a description, month-by-month, of most of the events that Rome has to offer.
As with all big cities, there is always a wide variety of local events, concerts, theatre performances, art exhibits and more. The list below is a general overview of what happens on a yearly basis in Italy’s capital, but please keep in mind that there is always much more going on! Please look at what these two websites have to offer on last minute events and activities.
January
Underground Market
Unfolding in a subterranean parking lot near the Via Sistina, this monthly antiques market caters to collectors.
February
March
Eurochocolate April
Rome’s Good Friday Procession Monthly Bargain Market May
May Day Musical Spring Antiques Market Tennis Masters Series Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure June
Dolce Vita Jazz Festival FotoGraphia Estate Romana Festival July
Festival of Latin-American Music & Culture Festa de’Noantri Gay Village August
Festival of Latin-American Music & Culture Estate Romana Festival September
International Urban Theatre Festival White Night RomaEuropa Festival October
Celebration of St. Francis Great Autumn Market Rome Jazz Festival November
100 Painters in Via Margutta December
Piazza Navona Christmas Market
Rome Independent Film Festival
As Rome’s foremost cinema event, the Independent Film Festival showcases more than 40 artists from some 25 countries. Screenings are in theatres at Cinema Pasquino, Cinema Roma and the Ripa Hotel.
During Eurochocolate week everything revolves around the seductive sweet stuff with some 500 participating stands, a Chocobookshop, a Chocofarm and a chocolate-flavoured film competition. For added flair, the famed Trinità dei Monti staircase gets plastered with 3,000 pure chocolate eggs.
On Good Friday, a torch lit procession moves from the Via Crucis, from the Coliseum and up the Monte Palatino, re-enacting the 14 station of the cross from the death of Jesus to placement of his body in the tomb.
La Soffitta Sotto I Portici is a monthly bargain market taking place on the third Sunday with collectibles, memorabilia and more up for grabs.
On May 1, Rome celebrates spring’s arrival with a world-class music festival in Piazza San Giovanni.
The Grande Mercato di Primavera (Great Spring Market) offers memorabilia for all tastes.
Great tennis arrives in Rome with the Masters Series where 120 players compete for the top prizes.
This breast cancer awareness fund-raiser involves a mini-marathon at the Stadio delle Terme di Caracalla.
Sometimes starting in May, Dolce Vita Jazz Festival takes place in Rome’s Palma Club and the Auditorium Parco della Musica with some 60 jazz artists.
Rome stages a massive festival of contemporary photography, FotoGraphia, with works displayed throughout the city.
Running from late June through early September, Estate Romana Festival offers jazz, rock, and classical music, plus film, sport, theatre and children’s fun.
From late June through early August, Latin sounds, heavy on Cuban accents, are featured at the Ippodromo delle Capannelle.
On the Saturday following the Festa del Carmelo every year, the Vergine del Carmine statue is removed from the church of Sant’Agata for parading through streets of the Trastevere quarter before arrival at San Crisogno for eight days of display.
From late June through August, the Testaccio’s becomes a hot spot for gay, straight, young and old Romans. Pop concerts, discos, comedy, theatre, dining and more unfold at an area designed to re-create a small village where tolerance is the operative word.
From late June through early August, Latin sounds (heavy on Cuban accents) are featured at the Ippodromo delle Capannelle.
Running from late June through early September, Estate Romana (Roman Summer) Festival offers jazz, rock, and classical music, plus film, sport, theatre and children’s fun.
The annual Festival Internazionale del Teatro Urbano transforms Rome into an urban theatrical stage.
Shops and restaurant stay open while the Roman Notte Bianca stages music, dance and theatre events.
RomaEuropa Festival is an extravaganza of theatre, music and dance vents throughout the city.
The patron of Rome is celebrated throughout the city on this feast day, Oct. 4.
One of Italy’s largest antiques fairs takes place at the Autodromo di Vallelunga.
International artists gather at various venues for the eclectic Rome Jazz Festival.
In April (sometimes May) and November, locals and visitors head for this bi-annual art market of the Cento Pittori Via Margutta, staged in scenic Via Margutta. Among hundreds of applicants, 100 artists are selected to exhibit.
A Christmas market with Santa Claus and nativity scenes takes place at Rome’s Piazza Navona.