Rome - Special Events

Epifania - La Befana (Epiphany)
6 January
Day of present-giving to Roman children.
Throughout the city

Carnevale
Week before Lent
Children dress up and throw confetti around; nightclubs put on special parties.
Various venues

Mostra delle Azalee
Late March
3,000 vases of azaleas adorn the Spanish Steps to mark the arrival of Spring.
Spanish steps

Settimana Santa & Pasqua (Holy Week and Easter)
Late March-April
Mass in St Peter's Square on Saturday before Palm Sunday, Pope's Via Crucis on Good Friday at the Colosseum, Easter Sunday and Monday.
St Peter's Square and Colosseum

Natale di Roma (Rome's Birthday)
21 April
Fireworks.
Aventine Hill

Festa del Lavoro (Labour Day)
1 May
Free rock concert.
Outside basilica of San Giovanni

Anniversary of the proclamation of the Italian Republic
2 June
Only day of the year when it is possible to visit the Quirinal Gardens, belonging to the President's Residence.

Estate Romana (Roman Summer)
June-September
Umbrella festival encompassing music, dance, literature and film events.
Rome's parks, archaeological sites, villas and courtyards
Website: www.estateromana.comune.roma.it

Festa di Noantri
Two weeks in mid July
Market stalls and fireworks in honour of Madonna del Carmine.
Trastevere

RomaEuropa Festival
Late September to end of November

Arts festival
Website: www.romaeuropa.net

Festival Internazionale del Film di Roma (Rome International Film Festival)
Mid October
Created in 2006 and proved very successful.
City's auditorium and other venues
Website: www.romacinemafest.org

Mercato di Piazza Navona
Mid December-6 January
Market stalls selling food and craft items.
Piazza Navona

Midnight Mass
24 December
Pope delivers mass.
St Peter's Basilica

Messa di Natale (Christmas Mass) and Urbi et Orbi' Blessing
25 December
St Peter's Basilica

San Silvestro/Capdanno (New Year's Eve)
31 December
Festivities throughout the city