Things to Do

Rome Events

During Holy Week (Easter), Catholics from around the world travel to Rome to make pilgrimages to Rome 's various basilicas and to hear the Pope give his address at the Vatican and take in other religious Rome events. On Good Friday there's a procession of the Cross from the Colosseum to Capitoline Hill.

Testaccio is the place to be for Rome events in the summer, when one of Rome 's best-preserved areas becomes a stomping ground for the young and hip. A festival of nightclubbery and general coolness goes down every evening from 10pm. Other summer Rome events include Jazz at the Villa Celimontana and tropical music at the Foro Italico. Among other summer Rome events is Along the River , held on the north bank of the Tiber throughout July - Rome turns into Los Angeles with beach volleyball, in-line skating and art shows. Trastevere is filled with street theatre, craft stalls and food booths during the Festa di Noantri (20-28 July).

Rome 's public holidays include Liberation Day (25 April), Labour Day (1 May), the Feast of the Assumption (15 August), All Saints' Day (1 November), the Feast of the Immaculate Conception (8 December) and the Feast of Santo Stefano (26 December).

Rome Public Holidays
6 Jan - Epiphany
Mar/Apr - Easter Monday
25 Apr - Liberation Day
1 May - Labour Day
29 June - Feast of St Peter & St Paul
15 Aug - Feast of the Assumption
1 Nov - All Saints Day
8 Dec - Feast of the Immaculate Conception
25 Dec - Christmas Day
26 Dec - Feast of St Stephen

The main tourist season in Rome , rich with various Rome events, begins shortly before Easter (when the greatest number of visitors flock to the city) and runs through October. During August many shops and restaurants close, and on the August 15 holiday Rome is a ghost town. During the winter months, especially January-March, you have a better chance of getting into the major tourist attractions without having to wait in line.