Every year there are recurring holidays and events in Rome that I have summarized on this page.
Holidays and events in Rome 2023
JANUARY 2023
- January 1: New Year’s Day (holiday) in Rome: For the best view of fireworks at New Year’s Eve you should go on one of the hills in the city. Traditionally, the fireworks are launched at the Colosseum and are accompanied by a classical concert. On the 1st of January the Pope holds prayers in St. Peter’s Basilica while young courageous men hurl themselves into the muddy Tiber to celebrate the New Year.
- January 6 :Epiphany (holiday)
- January 22: Capodanno Cinese: Chinese New Year with a colorful parade along the Via dei Fori Imperiali and festivities on Piazza del Popolo
FEBRUARY 2023
- February 14: Valentine’s Day with special menus for lovers and numerous rose sellers in the streets of Rome
MARCH 2023
- Early March: Carnival in Rome with horse parades and fireworks
- March 19: Festa di San Giuseppe (St. Joseph’s Day), events in the streets of Rome, Father’s
- March 19: Marathon
APRIL 2023
- April 7: Good Friday, A traditional mass is led by the Pope at the Colosseum from which a procession makes its way to the Palatine Hill in memory of the Crucifixion of Christ.
- April 9: Easter Sunday, papal mass at St. Peter’s, the Pope gives the blessing urbi et orbi
- April 10: Easter Monday
- April 21: Day of foundation of Rome: The city of Rome celebrates its foundation which took place on April 21, 735 BCE. You can visit museums all over the city for free. There are animations and fireworks at the Piazza del Campidoglio.
- April 25: Festa della liberazione: Italy celebrates its liberation toward the end of the Second World War. There are celebrations at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Piazza Venezia.
MAY 2023
- May 1: Labor Day (holiday)
- May 10: Victory Day (holiday)
- May 10: Mother’s Day
- May 18: Ascension Day (no holiday)
- May 28: Pentecost Sunday
- May 29 : Pentecost Monday
JUNE 2023
- June 2: Festa della Repubblica: the Italian national day to celebrate the Republic. There is a military parade at the Imperial Forums and the garden palace of the Italian president is open to the public in the afternoon.
- June 8: Feast of Corpus Christi
- June 21: Festa della Musica
- June 29: Peter and Paul, festival of the city patrons
- Gay Village: festival and equivalent to the “Loveparade” that starts from June to beginning September
JULY 2023
- Estate Romana: summer festival near the Tiber until the end of August
AUGUST 2023
- August 15: Assumption of Mary (holiday)
SEPTEMBER 2023
- Giornate europee del patrimonio: National monuments, museums and hidden treasures in Rome are open to the public on the third weekend of September.
OCTOBER 2023
- October : Notte Bianca, cultural event beginning October
NOVEMBER 2023
- November 1: All Saints’ Day (holiday)
DECEMBER 2023
- Many Christmas markets throughout December in Rome
- December 8: Immacolata Concezione (Immaculate Conception): The Pope honors Virgin Mary on the Piazza di Spagna in Rome. Masses and processions are held throughout the city.
- December 25 & 26: Christmas in Rome
- December 31: New Year’s Eve in Rome