9 events in Rome to check out all year round

Rome’s iconic attractions, coupled with its rich history, architecture, culture, museums, and widely-adored food and wines, make the city one of the most enduring and popular destinations in Europe.

While summer is one of the best times to visit, regardless of the season, there is a whole load of exciting events in Rome all year round. So if you’re planning a trip to Rome, here are some of the best events to look out for.

When: March or April

Organized by the city of Rome, the Run Rome The Marathon (or Rome Marathon for short) is a one-of-a-kind race with one of the most captivating and scenic routes.

Along the single 26-mile route, you will run past the ruins of the Roman Forum, the ancient Roman chariot-racing stadium Circus Maximus, the mausoleum Castel Sant’Angelo, and the majestic St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican City. Race past the Piazza di Spagna (and the famous Spanish Steps) and Via del Corso, the main street in the historical center of Rome, before sprinting towards the finishing line.

As Tripadvisor traveler WayneLLC put it, the Rome Marathon is a “must-do as a life goal”. Find out how to register for the race here.

When: May

Gourmands, don’t miss out on Rome’s love note to all things pizza. La Città della Pizza (literally “The City of Pizza”) is a free, two-day event where the best Italian pizzaioli (pizza makers) gather to celebrate, bake, and feast on one of the country’s most beloved foods.

Chomp on different, creative variations of the classic pizza—from Northern to Southern Italian versions, fluffy Neapolitan pies, deep-fried pizzas, to thin Roman-crusted ones. Or, sign up for pizza-making workshops by master pizzaioli, as well as seminars to learn about new pizza trends and agri-food excellence.

Wash everything down with delish Italian wines and beers on tap. Still hungry for more? Try Pizza E Mozzarella, Tripadvisor’s #1 rated pizza joint for yummy and reasonably priced pizzas.

When: June–August

Summer and music festivals are almost synonymous with each other; Rome has two major music events to look out for.

The first is the hotly-anticipated Roma Summer Fest produced by the Musica per Roma Foundation and held at the impressive Auditorium Parco della Musica, designed by famed architect, Renzo Piano. With many international artistes like Elton John, Sting, and Björk previously gracing the stage, 2022’s lineup include hit singer-songwriter Lorde, American alt-rock band Pixies, and ex-One Direction star Louis Tomlinson. Get your tickets here.

If screeching guitar solos and mad synth riffs are more your thing, then Rock in Roma is a must-go, having featured rock legends like Rolling Stones and Bruce Springsteen in its 13-year history. Performing this year are The Chemical Brothers, English band Deep Purple, and emerging local rock band Måneskin, just to name a few. Concerts are held at various venues in Rome, but it is the enormous racecourse and open-air stage of Ippodromo delle Capannelle, that Rock in Roma has called “home” since 2009. Find out how to get tickets here.

When: June—August

Held at multiple locations by the Tiber River between Ponte Sublicio and Ponte Sisto, the Lungo il Tevere festival is a yearly summertime event in Rome. Catch free nightly live music acts, outdoor operas, ballet shows, improvised theater, and even chamber ensemble concerts at cultural sites like the Sant’Ivo alla Sapienza church.

Watch a movie at the outdoor cinema on the nearby Isola Tiberina (Tiber Island) or entertain your kids at nerf-shooting ranges, air hockey, and foosball tables. There will also be quaint shops selling handcrafted jewelry, vinyl records, vintage dolls, and more.

Dine at the alfresco stalls along the Tiber River or at bars and restaurants on Tiber Island; the Tripadvisor community has rated Sora Lella as the #1 eatery in the area, with the “best cacio e pepe in Rome”. Slurp!

When: October

Fancy quaffing wine from a fountain…for free? We kid you not. Located 12 miles south of Rome (an easy one-hour drive) in Marino, is the Marino Wine Festival (or Sagra dell'Uva di Marino), known for its central fountain flowing with wine. Typically held on the first Sunday of October, participants can help themselves to as much wine as they like, making this near-century-old event like no other harvest festival in Italy.

Enjoy the boisterous, celebratory four-day festival with live musicians, bustling markets, processions of people in medieval costumes singing and dancing, and of course much consumption of wine. We hear that there are spontaneous grape-throwing battles too.

Book a stay at La Locanda del Pontefice Luxury Country House, rated #1 by the Tripadvisor community, and enjoy breathtaking views of Lake Albano from your room.

When: October

Celebrating contemporary art is Rome Art Week (RAW), an event attracting hundreds of participating galleries, institutions, artists, and curators.

There are numerous free exhibitions at various galleries all over Rome, such as Art Gallery Roma, to take in exciting, inventive contemporary artwork. Choose from myriad events, talks, and seminars by respected and emerging artists, guaranteed to interest both professional art collectors and even casual appreciators of art. Party it up at the finale bash on the last evening of RAW.

When: October

Celebrating the fine art of filmmaking is the Rome Film Fest (Festa del Cinema di Roma), which showcases the best in film from local and international directors.

Every October for two weeks, film buffs flock to Rome to catch an exclusive film screening, exhibitions, conferences, and other events, secretly hoping for chance encounters with Hollywood celebrities (think Angelina Jolie, Quentin Tarantino, and more).

For star-gazing, we recommend attending the Rome Film Fest’s Red Carpet event exclusively from the upper Cavea (open-air amphitheater) of the Auditorium Parco della Musica, where you can spot celebrities strut down in their finest evening wear.

When: December

Being a predominantly Roman Catholic country, Rome at Christmas is undoubtedly one of the most magical and important times of the year. The entire city comes alive with festive markets and events, Christmas trees and lights, and nativity scenes at St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City.

On Christmas Day itself, the Pope addresses the world from the balcony of St. Peter’s Square. No tickets are required, so simply head to the Square to receive the papal address, also known as Urbi et Orbi, or “to the city of Rome and to the world”. A truly once-in-a-lifetime and eye-opening experience.

When: December

No trip to Rome in December is complete without visiting Christmas markets, sipping mulled wine, shopping for Christmas souvenirs, and admiring the brightly illuminated festive displays.

We recommend the popular Piazza Navona market bustling with carnival rides and live performers, against the backdrop of the Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi and Palazzo Pamphilij.

Stroll through Piazza Mazzini Christmas Fair Market, a flea market with stalls selling everything from ceramics and antiques, to crafts and toys. Try regional snacks such as Tuscan Torrone (Italian nougat) and Modica chocolate from Sicily.

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