Rome is a great city to spend memorable holidays with your children. Not only is all the culture, art, architecture and history really interesting for both parents and children when presented the proper way, but there are also some annual events in Rome you won’t want to miss. Of course, these annual events are kid-friendly.
There are many religious ceremonies taking place in Rome during the whole year, which is not very surprising when knowing that the Vatican is located in the heart of the Italian capital city. But in our selection of the 12 annual events in Rome with kids, we have decided to list more than just those religious ceremonies, although they are all quite fascinating.
Family Twist has been offering tours in Rome for almost 1 year already and we have a dedicated team of professional destination experts and guides who have designed perfect family-friendly activities. While some might enjoy organizing everything before the departure, others just enjoy discovering the city by themselves. Whatever way you like to travel, these annual events really come in handy when traveling to Rome with kids.
The following annual events are very popular in Rome. Although they do happen every year, we strongly advise to check before you go to any of the mentioned places as dates or events might change without prior notice…
So without further ado, here are 12 annual events in Rome with kids.
January: Festa di Sant’Antonio Abate / La Befana
If you and your family love animals, this is surely the annual event you won’t want to miss. Every year on January 17, the Italians commemorate the protector of pets, Saint Anthony the Great (Sant’Antoni abate), also known as the Father of All Monks, in the church of Sant’Eusebio. On that particular day, many Romans come with their pets to get them blessed in order to make sure they get a place in heaven when the time comes…
Address: Church of Sant’Eusebio located on piazza Vittorio Emanuele II.
Subway: Vittorio Emanuele
Date: January 17th
But if you are more into the Christmas Spirit, head out to Piazza Navona to enjoy a nice “Christmas” Market. Funny enough, this fair is dedicated to La Befana, an old witch who could be called “Mother Christmas”. She would be the one to bring gifts to nice children. And for the naughty children, she would fill their shoes with coal. If you are curious to know what La Befana looks like, head out there late on January 5th when she personally arrives in the piazza.
Address: Piazza Navona
When: January 6th
February: Carnavale
Most of the people have heard of the Carnival of Venise, but only few know that the Carnival of Rome used to be one of the most popular and biggest carnivals in the world during the middle ages. Although it has lost a lot of its ancient prestige, the Carnavale of Rome is still something that the whole family can enjoy. On the last weekend before Ash Wednesday, many adults and children dress up in carnival costumes and parade down the Via del Corso, one of the famous streets of Rome.
Address: Via del Corso
Date: the weekend before Ash Wednesday. Although the carnival in Rome generally takes place in February, it can also sometimes happen in early March.
March: Festa di Santa Francesca Romana
In January, the Romans bring their pets for a blessing, and in March, they bring their… cars!
Santa Francesca Romana’s biggest achievement was founding the religious order of Oblates, an order of nuns, in 1433. But that might not be what she is most famous for. For most Romans today, she is known as the saint patron of automobile drivers, a title given to her in 1925 by Pope Pius XI. The legend states that an angel used to light the road before her with a lantern when she traveled, thus keeping her safe from hazards. Today, Christian automobile drivers get their motors blessed at her monastery in the Foro Romano on March 9th!
Address: Monastero Oblate di Santa Francesca Romana, Via del Teatro Marcello.
Subway: Colosseo
When: March 9th
April: Natale di Roma
You might not know when your city was born, but all the Romans know that their city was born on April 21st 753 BC! But this birthday celebration, fireworks light up the sky. Most of the festivities take place at the Campidoglio, where people hit the streets dressed as citizens of the ancient city some 2,700 years ago. Actor dressed as gladiators or legionnaires also parade past the Colosseum and other historic relics of Ancient Rome.
Finally, concerts are given in many different parts of the city to make it a birthday to remember for your whole family!
When: April 21st
May: Primo Maggio
May Day, although it started as a political event, has turned into a feast in Rome. Trade unions organize fun-packed concerts, traditionally held in front of the Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano. And the best part about these concerts is that it’s free! The performers might not be the international stars of today, but during a trip to Rome, nothing beats a bit of Italian music! The festivities tend to start mid-afternoon, which is perfect if you are traveling with younger children. The performances continue into the small hours though…
Address: Piazza San Giovanni
Subway: Manzoni
When: May 1st
June: Festa di Santi Pietro e Paolo
Saint Peter and Saint Paul are the two founders of Catholicism, but they are also the twin patron saints of Rome. The Festa di Santi Pietro e Paolo is celebrated everywhere in Italy on June 29th, but it is in Rome that you will have the best time. And these saints are honored in each of their own basilicas. A mass is held at Saint Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican, while the festivities for Saint Paul take place in the south of Rome, on Via Ostiense near the elegant papal basilica of San Paolo fuori le Mura. There, you will find an all-night street fair.
Address: Saint Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican or the basilica of San Paolo fuori le Mura, piazzale San Paolo
When: June 29th
July: Roma Incontra il Mondo / Festa de Noantri
Starting mid-June up until early August, don’t miss the Roma Incontra il Mondo festival. This music festival takes place in the Villa Ada Park, and features musicians from all over the world. A lot of locals come enjoy the festivities here in summer, because of the cool breezes that blows through the area. It’s a great way to see a different side of Rome and do what the Romans do. And if the music played is not your type of music, there are bars and stalls with food, music and books just in case!
Address: Villa Ada, via di Ponte Salario, northern suburb
When: mid June-early Aug
Another interesting annual event that takes place at during the 2 last weeks of July is the Festa de Noantri. The residents of Trastevere, decendants from the neighborhood’s working class root, celebrate its origin. The festivities start with a procession held in honor of the Madonna del Carmine. And after 2 weeks of street animations and artistic events, fireworks are shot on the very last day.
Address: Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere/piazza Mastai
When: mid-end July
August: Notte di San Lorenzo
If you like to observe the skies, then don’t miss the Notte di San Lorenzo. On the night of the 10th of August, every Roman will have his/her eyes turned towards the heavens, hoping to spot some shooting stars. It’s up to you really to imagine where these come from. Will you be more of a scientist saying these shooting stars are bits and pieces of meteorites entering our atmosphere or more poetic, thinking that these are the tears of St. Lawrence (San Lorenzo), martyred in Rome on this day in 258.
Address: San Lorenzo in Panisperna, via Panisperna 90
When: August 10th
September: Enzimi / Buenos Aires Tango
The Enzimi festival is the perfect festival if you have teenage youngsters. It is a free music, arts and theater festival, rounding the best new up-and-coming artists. If you want to see what’s new in the Rome’s artistic circles, then head out to the different locations the festival is held in. You will mostly find local bands, as well as a few international stars of different genres!
Address: various venues
When: mid-September
If you and your children are in love with world-class tango, you will want to check out the Buenos Aires Tango festival, featuring some fantastic tango dancers and performances!
Address: Auditorium-Parco della Musica
When: mid-September
October: Festa Internazionale di Roma
Since 2006, just like a lot of European capitals, Rome has its own film festival. And when you know how many great Italian actors and movie makers have evolved in this art, it is pretty surprising Rome hasn’t started a film festival earlier! More and more big international stars are invited to this festival, so you might accidentally bump into one on your family visit of Rome! If not, you can always enjoy the fashionable ambiance during the Festa Internazionale di Roma.
Where: various venues
When: October
November: Ognissanti
Rome might not celebrate Halloween the way Americans do, but just like many Christian countries in Europe, the Romans celebrate All Saints Day (also known as Ognissanti in Italian) early November. No big parade or Hollywood stars here, just a lot of locals that visit the cemeteries to pay respect to the dead. This event is followed by La Commemorazioni dei defunti (or Tutti I morti), when the Pope celebrates mass at Verano Cemetery.
Address: Cimitero del Verano, piazzale del Verano
When: November 1st and 2nd
December: Immacolata Concezione
Another highly entertaining religious festivity in Rome is the Feast of the Immacluate Conception. And the highlight of this feast is none other than the statue of the Madonna on piazza di Spagna. What is so special about this statue? Well, on December 8th, the fire brigade runs a ladder up the statue and a fireman gets to place a wreath over her outstretched arms. After that, the locals deposit flowers and bouquets at the base of the Statue.
Address: Piazza di Spagna
When: December 8th