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Rome events in April 2023 - Holidays, exhibits, concerts, and other things to do
Rome events in April include Rome's birthday, Liberation Day, and much more!
One of my favorite April happenings in Rome is on April 21, when Rome's Roseto Rose Garden opens in conjunction with Rome's birthday.Find out all the things to see and do in Rome in April.
Rome events in April 2023 - What's happening
April is a great time to visit Rome for a lot of reasons, like the beautiful cool spring weather, flowers beginning to bloom, lots of new openings, and longer days.
April weather in Rome can still be cool, which makes it comfortable for sight-seeing. It's also a good time to enjoy some hot Roman lunches and dinners indoors with some good wine.
Keep reading for more info about the best Rome events in April 2023:
- Holidays in Rome in April
- Current exhibits at Rome's museums
- Sports/sporting events in Rome in April
- Vatican events in April
- Free things to do in Rome in April
- Nighttime things to do in Rome in April
- Concerts and operas in Rome in April
- Tours to take in Rome in April
- Day trips to take in Rome in April
- Things to do with kids in Rome in April
Holidays and special dates in Rome in April
Special dates in April in Rome include Liberation Day, Rome's Birthday, and often, Easter.
But there are also some new openings and other special and interesting things to see and do in Rome in April. Read on:
April 21 - Rome's Birthday
According to legend, Rome was founded on April 21, 753 BCE. So on April 21, there is a sort-of holiday, the Natale di Roma, or Rome's birthday.
Nothing is closed. In fact, just about everything is open.
Rome events in April - On Rome's birthday on April 21, you might see some fanfare like this band playing on Capitoline Hill.Visit the website of the Gruppo Storico Romano for more information, they organize re-enactments and parades on this day.
In 2023, there are a series of events taking place from the evening of Thursday April 20 to Sunday April 23 - the main procession down the Via dei Fori Imperiali is scheduled to start at the Circus Maximus at 11am.
All events are free.
In addition, some of Rome's civic museums will be open with free entry on April 21, 2023, including the archeological area of the Circus Maximus, Capitoline Museums, the Ara Pacis and many more.
There will also be various events, walks and talks to celebrate the day - take a look at the Musei in Comune's website here for the full listings of free entry locations and events.
April 25 - Liberation Day
Liberation Day, the Festa della Liberazione, is an important national holiday in Rome and in Italy - it celebrates the end of Nazi occupation during WWII, and the end of Fascist rule in Italy (Benito Mussolini was shot 3 days later).
Being a national holiday, schools, banks and shops are closed. No tourist sites are closed.
The Vatican is not part of Italy, and therefore is not affected by this holiday at all.
The Associazione Nazionale Partigiani d’Italia (ANPI), which means "Association of National Partisans of Italy", will parade from the Colosseum to Porta San Paolo (where the Pyramid is), starting around 9:30am.
Don't forget to bring these essential travel items with you!
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April 21 - Roseto Rose Garden opens
Rome's Roseto Rose Garden is known for being open only in the month of May (and in recent years, also for a few weeks in October.)
But it actually opens every year on April 21, Rome's birthday (and closes around the first week of June.)
I love visiting the Roseto when it first opens in late April.
Many of the roses have yet to bloom, and as people don't really know about it opening in April, it's usually very quiet and empty. And so beautiful!
Late April/early May - Azaleas on the Spanish Steps
Every spring, around the last week of April through the first week or so of May, you will find the Spanish Steps covered in Azaleas.
I think one of everyone's favorite Rome events in April is when the Spanish Steps get adorned with blooming pink and white azaleas. To get this kind of shot, you'll need to come by about 7 AM!It's a very special time of year to see them this way.
Current exhibits and events at Rome's museums in April
The cooler spring months are a great time to take in the arts indoors. Some museums stay open later on the weekends.
There are several Rome events in April at various museums around the city:
Capitoline Museums
The Colours of the Ancient Santarelli Marbles
The exhibition in the Palazzo Clementino rooms at the Capitoline Museums presents a wonderful selection of over 660 polychrome marbles from the imperial age.
13 April 2022 to 30 April 2023
Cursus Honorum: the government of Rome before Caesar
This exhibition focuses on the public offices of magistrates of the Republican age, the cursus honorum, a fundamental aspect of the political life of ancient Rome.
24 March 2022 to 23 April 2023
MAXXI Museum
Bob Dylan Retrospectrum
The first European monographic exhibition exploring the broad oeuvre of Bob Dylan, an iconic figure whose talent and work span across mediums and disciplines.
16 December 2022 to 30 April 2023
Read more and book tickets here.
Parco Colosseo (Roman Forum)
The Journey of Aeneas: From Troy to Rome
Within the Temple of Romulus in the Roman Forum a new exhibition explores the myth of Aeneas and his contribution to Rome.
No additional ticket needed in addition to the regular entry to the Palatine Hill/Roman Forum/Colosseum park.
15 December 2022 to 10 April 2023
Scuderie del Quirinale
Arte Liberata
This fascinating exhibition has collected over 100 pieces of art which were saved during World War II.
The collection tells the story of the individual artworks and of the people who braved adversity to save them during a very difficult time.
16 December 2022 to 10 April 2o23
Find out more and book your tickets here.
Baths of Caracalla
Lessico Animale, Mysterion
This brand new exhibition is being held in the underground area of the Baths of Caracalla, which have been closed for months.
Specifically designed for the rooms underneath the ruins of the vast bathing complex, the artwork of Yuval Avital has been used to create a bridge between the contemporary world and the symbolism of the ancient ruins.
25 February 2023 to 23 April 2023
Entrance to the exhibition is included with the regular Baths of Caracalla entrance ticket.
Find out more about the underground area of these amazing ruins here!
Borghese Gallery
The Deposits
For a limited time only, the Borghese Gallery is reopening their lower level collection of art to visitors.
This collection is organised as it would be in a regular art gallery, but is not normally open to the public, with pieces displayed here that you would otherwise not be able to see.
23 February 2023 - 5 May 2023
Group size is limited and must be booked in advance - see here for more information
Chiostro del Bramante
INFINITY - Michelangelo Pistoletto
Made up of fifty works and four large site specific installations, contemporary art exhibition INFINITY covers more than 60 years of art and almost 90 years of life for Michelangelo Pistoletto.
18 March 2023 - 15 October 2023
For tickets and further details, visit the website of the Chiostro del Bramante here.
There are a lot of smaller exhibitions in April. To see a complete list of them, visit this page of the Rome Tourist Board where you can filter to see all Rome events in April, or drill down further by category such as dance, music, etc.
Sport/sporting Rome events in April
Rome Appian Run 2023
This annual event takes place at different points along the Appian Way, with a mix of races to watch - some of which you can still register for!
Find out more here
April 16, 2023
The perfect 3-day itinerary in Rome
Trying to figure out how to organize your visit to Rome? I've got the perfect 3-day itinerary for first-time visitors (or those who have not been here in a while.) It works for a 2.5 day visit as well.
In my 3-day itinerary, you'll see all the major must-see Rome attractions like the Vatican, Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Spanish Steps, Castel Sant'Angelo, and much more.
And if you have more time, or want suggestions for extra/other things to do, you'll find that there too.
Visit my page with the best 3-day itinerary in Rome for first-timers.
Vatican Events in April
Easter Sunday is April 9, 2023
There will be a lot of Vatican events.
When the Pope is in town, you can attend the Wednesday Papal Audience, or watch the pope give the Angelus in St. Peter's Square on Sunday.
Both are free.
For the Papal Audience, you need tickets. For the Angelus, you don't.
Visit Rome's Parks and gardens
April is a beautiful time to visit a park or garden in Rome, when flowers are really beginning to bloom all over the place.
Rome events in April - Free things to do
If you're looking for some fun Rome events in April that are free, the below are confirmed for 2023:
On Sunday April 2 2023, the Colosseum will be free for everyone.
You can expect the Colosseum to be pretty much a mob scene.
I'd highly recommend visiting one of the other sites that is also free on this day, like the Roman Forum/Palatine Hill, or Ostia Antica.
The first Sunday of the month, Rome's Civic Museums are free for everyone.
On Sunday April 2, 2023 you can visit the Capitoline Museums, Ara Pacis, Villa Torlonia, Trajan's Market and many others for free.
For more details and booking, click the link below to visit the official site.
The Vatican Museums will be free and open on Sunday April 23 2023. Expect large crowds on this day.
St. Peter's Basilica and St. Peter's Square are free and open daily.
You cannot buy tickets in advance for the Free Sunday, but you can book a tour of the museums through the Vatican.
If you don't want to book this tour, just come early. By early I mean by 8am.
But otherwise I recommend you book your visit ahead of time and pay to go another day.
Nighttime things to do in Rome in April
In Rome in April the evenings can be chillier than you might think, but there are some Rome events in April that open up for night visits and experiences.
Some of the dates for 2023 are still to be announced. Please check back!
Usually starting in April, you can visit the Colosseum at night.
Entry for night visits to the Colosseum is NOT part of the Roma Pass.
NB - Sometimes there is availability for this only a few days in advance, so if you don't see availability for when you want to go, check back!
Every Friday and Saturday, from late April to October, the Vatican Museums are open from 7-10:30 PM, last entry 8:30 PM.
It won't be uncrowded, although it is less crowded than during the day.
And it's a magical way to spend a Friday or Saturday evening. (And you can opt for happy hour inside the Pinecone Courtyard!)
Click here to book your tour of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel on Friday or Saturday night.
Viaggio Nei Fori (Journeys Through Ancient Rome) is one of the best shows you can see in Rome to really get a sense of Ancient Rome.
This usually starts sometime in April.
Usually through early November, every night there is an hour-long light show, with holograms, lasers and fabulous narration (in several languages), that brings the whole thing to life.
For more nighttime tours and Rome events in April, visit Viator.
Rome events in April - Concerts, operas, shows
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Get your Rome Opera Pass to choose from a number of shows inside a scenic and suggestive setting in central Rome (locations vary).
These wonderful opera singers put on a mini-production of various operas, often in full costume.
Visit the extraordinary Capuchin Crypt, then head into the recently restored church to listen to sacred music in a gorgeous setting.
Wednesday afternoons.
Don't miss this unique opera + aperitivo on one of Rome's most amazing rooftops, the Borromini Terrace. Combine beautiful music, with the stunning baroque setting on Piazza Navona, and a special aperitivo, to make for a fabulous evening in Rome.
There's a maximum 30 people (including an art historian guide), to keep this experience exclusive and special.
Friday evenings.
The Three Tenors - Nessun Dorma
See the "Three Tenors" in a beautiful church setting.
You will be treated to three of Rome's most famous tenors singing some of the best-known and loved songs of Neapolitan opera, accompanied by the Mandolin Orchestra.
Music from La Traviata, Rigoletto, Tosca, and many others.
Saturday evenings. From 25€.
Enjoy private access to one of Rome's most exclusive rooftops right on Piazza Navona, while sipping your aperitivo and listening to Italian opera classics from Verdi, Rossini, and Puccini.
Tuesday and Sunday early evenings.
For more concerts and music Rome events in April, click here to visit Get Your Guide.
Tours to take in Rome in April
Booking a tour is a good way to make sure you get tickets to the sites you want to visit, and also get to enjoy them without fighting the crowds too much.
And even if it's not too crowded, a tour is a great way to see the sights and get to know a bit about them as you go.
For more tours to take in April, start here:
Day trips to take in Rome in April
April is a wonderful time to take a day trip, especially if you want to try some food/wine ventures outside Rome.
There are lots of options for places to visit which you can easily reach within 1-2 hours of Rome. For organized day trips, visit Get Your Guide.
Activities with kids in Rome in April
Whether you are visiting Rome in April for spring break or just for a short getaway, if you are coming with kids, there are plenty of tours and activities in Rome geared towards children of all ages.
If you're looking for some fun activities with kids, start here:
I've listed some of what I think are the most fun and interesting Rome events in April, and most central.
For a complete list of Rome events in April, visit the website of the Rome Tourist Board.
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Top attractions and tours
- Colosseum - Don't miss visiting Rome's most iconic monument
- Vatican Museums - This is where the Sistine Chapel is
- Pantheon - Book ahead and skip the line
- Galleria Borghese - You'll need to book ahead for one of Rome's best museums
- Castel Sant'Angelo - See Rome's history through its architecture
- Rome City Pass - A great way to make your Rome visits easier
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