Major Annual Events in Rome

• The city of Rome hosts a series of Annual Events which are held throughout the year:

January

• 1st Jan: New Year’s Day Parade
  • Held at the Piazza del Popolo: Performers on Stilts, Clowns, Acrobats, Masks, Fire-eaters, Masks and more entertainment.
• 1st Jan: Pope’s New Year’s Day Blessing
  • A Parade from Via Della Conciliazione to St. Peter’s Square for the Pope’s New Year’s Day Blessing from the Balcony of St. Peter's Basilica overlooking St. Peter’s Square.
• 6th Jan: Epiphany Toys Fair
  • Held in the Piazza Navona.

February

• Carnivale
  • Fat Thursday, Carnival Sunday, Fat Tuesday.

March

• Eurochocolate Week
• Rome Marathon
  • Rome Marathon

April

• Good Friday Procession
  • Held by the Pope to the Colosseum. This re-enacts the 14 Stations of the Cross from the Death of Jesus to being placed in his Tomb.

May

• 1st May: Primo Maggio
  • May Day Music Festival in the Piazza San Giovanni in Laterano, in front of Rome’s Cathedral.
• Tennis Masters
  • Italian Open (Tennis)
• Spring Antiques Market

June

• Dolce Vita Jazz Festival
  • Held in the Palma Club and the Auditorium Parco della Musica
• Estate Romana Festival
  • Held from June to September: Jazz, Rock, Classical, Film, Sport, Theatre
• Isola del Cinema
  • This is a Film Festival taking place from June to September on Tiber Island, the Island in the Tiber at an open air cinema, the Sala Visconti.
  • The river banks are lined with Bars, Cafes and Stalls.
  • IsoladelCinema.com

July

• Intenational Chamber Ensemble
  • Features outdoor concerts between July and August in the Courtyard of the Sant’Ivo alla Sapienza.

August

• International Urban Theatre Festival

September

• Rome Europa Festival of Modern Art and Theatre Performances
  • REF
• La Notte Bianca (The White Night)
  • Held in early September when Shops, Bars, Restaurants, Galleries, Theatres and Museums host Performances of Dance, Music and Theatre through the Night.

October

• 4th Oct: Celebration of St. Francis
  • The Patron Saint of Rome, held throughout Rome.
• Rome Film Festival
  • RFF
• Great Autumn Market
  • Antique Fair taking place in the Autodromo di Vallelunga
• Rome Jazz Festival
  • RJF

November

• 100 Painters in Via Margutta – Cento Pittori Via Margutta
  • Of the many artists on display, 100 are chosen.
• Rome Independent Film Festival (RIFF)
  • RIFF

December

• Piazza Navona Christmas Market
  • The Market is held with Santa Claus and Nativity Scenes and usually runs from the 8th December (The Immaculate Conception) to 6th January (Epiphany).
• 31 Dec: La Fiesta di San Silvestro on New Year’s Eve
  • Held in the Piazza del Popolo with Fireworks and music Concerts.