Rome - Special Events

Epifania – La Befana (Epiphany), day of present-giving to Roman children, 6 Jan, throughout the city
Carnevale, children dress up and a few nightclubs put on special parties, week before Lent, various venues
Festa di Primavera (Spring Festival), late Mar-early Apr, Spanish Steps
Giornata FAI di Primavera, on the first weekend in spring the Fondo per l’Ambiene Italiano (the Italian equivalent of the National Trust) organizes free guided tours of countless churches, monuments and sites of historical, archaeological, or environmental interest all over Italy that are usually closed to the public. Check www.fondoambiente.it for up-to-date information.
Settimana Santa & Pasqua (Holy Week and Easter), late-Mar, Mass in St Peter’s Square on Sat before Palm Sunday, services throughout Rome’s churches in Holy Week, and the Pope’s evening mass on Good Friday at the Colosseum
Good Friday, Pope makes an appearance, 29 April, Colosseum
Natale di Roma (Rome’s Birthday), 21 April, fireworks on the Aventine Hill
Festa della Liberazione, sombre festivities celebrate the Allies’ liberation of Italy in World War II, 25 April, Mausoleum of the Ardeatine Caves and Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Piazza Venezia
Festa del Lavoro (Labour Day), free rock concert, 1 May, outside basilica of San Giovanni
Mostra dell’Antiquariato, antique fairs, mid-end May, Via dei Coronari, near Piazza Navona
Fiera d’Arte di Via Margutta, four-day art fair, late May, Via Margutta
Estate Romana (Roman Summer), music, dance, literature and film events, Jun-Sep, Rome’s parks, archaeological sites, villas and courtyards
Festa di San Giovanni, Pope leads the way to the basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano, 23 Jun, Laterano
San Pietro e San Paolo, public holiday in honour of Rome’s two patron saints, 29 Jun, church service at Basilica of San Paulo Fouri le Mura
Roma Alta Moda, haute couture collections, mid-July, Piazza di Spagna and smart hotels
Festa di Noantri, markets and fireworks in honour of Madonna del Carmine, two weeks mid-July, Trastevere
Notte Bianca, free events, museum-openings and concerts right through the night, usually held on the third Saturday in September, throughout the city website: www.lanottebianca.it)
Mostra dell’Antiquariato, antique fairs, mid-end October, Via dei Coronari, near Piazza Navona
Fiera d’Arte di Via Margutta, four-day art fair, late Oct, Via Margutta
Mercato di Piazza Navona, market stalls selling food and craft items in Piazza Navona, mid-Dec-6 Jan
Immacolata Concezione (Immaculate Conception), Mass by the Pope, 8 Dec, Santa Maria Maggiore
Midnight Mass, Pope delivers mass, 24 December, St Peter’s Basilica
Messa di Natale (Christmas Mass) and ‘Urbi et Orbi’ Blessing, 25 Dec, St Peter’s Basilica
Veglia di Preghiera (Prayer Vigil), for the passage to the new year, 31 December, St Peter’s Basilica
San Silvestro/Capo d’Anno (New Year’s Eve), 31 December, festivities throughout the city

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