Rome events in August 2025 - Holidays, exhibits, concerts, and other things to do

Ara Pacis

Rome celebrates the work of Franco Fontana, the acclaimed Italian photographer renowned for his vividly colorful landscapes, with a major retrospective at the Ara Pacis Museum.

Described as "a celebration of geometric lines and an explosion of colors," this exhibition is the first large-scale tribute to the 90-year-old photographer from Modena.

A leading figure in 20th-century Italian photography, Fontana is celebrated for his vibrant, abstract style, often referred to as Photographic Trans-avantgarde. His striking images have also graced the covers of jazz albums, further cementing his iconic status.

The exhibition features more than 200 photographs, spanning Fontana's career. Highlights include American landscapes, cityscapes, swimming pools, and his famous depictions of the Appian Way and the Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana in Rome.

For more details, click here.

Through August 31, 2025

Capitoline Museums - Villa Caffarelli Garden

The Colossal Statue of Constantine

See the striking reconstruction of the Colossus of Constantine, one of the most representative works of late antique Roman sculpture.

February 6 2024 - December 31 2025

Free to enter, follow the path up to the right to reach the garden entrance. 

Don't miss my video all about the statue!

Chiostro del Bramante

Flowers

The Chiostro del Bramante in Rome presents Flowers. Art from the Renaissance to Artificial Intelligence, an exhibition running from February 14 to September 14, 2025. Featuring over 90 artworks from global institutions like the Louvre and the Royal Botanic Gardens, it explores flowers’ artistic and cultural significance across five centuries. Curated by Franziska Stöhr and Roger Diederen, the show blends tradition, science, and digital innovation.

For more information and tickets, click here.

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Scuderie del Quirinale

Global Baroque: The World in Rome in the Age of Bernini.

The Scuderie del Quirinale presents Global Baroque. The World in Rome in the Age of Bernini, in collaboration with Galleria Borghese. The exhibition explores Baroque Rome as a global crossroads, where Africa, Asia, and the Americas converged. Artworks by Bernini and others reveal a multicultural city shaped by diplomats, missionaries, and artists whose journeys forged surprising cultural exchanges at the heart of the Papal court.

Through July 15, 2025

For details and tickets, click here.

One of the best Rome events in August is the Roma estate Lungotevere.

From early June through the end of August, enjoy the annual outdoor festival, Roma Estate Lungotevere, along the banks of the Tiber River.

Entry is free, but you can also eat, drink, listen to music, watch movies and shop. Prices vary.

On both sides of the Tiber, between Ponte Garibaldi and Ponte Sublicio (entries near Jewish Ghetto and Trastevere.)

Click the photo to the left for a full program including cinema showings. 

If you are in Rome on August 5, you can visit the papal basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore (Saint Mary Major), and join in the fun as they re-create the miraculous snowfall that happened in the year 352, which was a sign to Pope Liberius that he should build a church on the spot where it snowed.

The photo depicts the 13th century mosaic in the loggia that tells the story of the miraculous snowfall.

Either attend Mass (10 am) or Vespers (5 pm) inside the basilica, where you will see white flower petals rain down from the ceiling, or come to the piazza outside for a 9 pm "snowfall" created by a foam machine.

San Lorenzo was martyred in Rome on August 10, 258 CE by being burnt on a grill (the grill is visible in one of the many churches dedicated to him, San Lorenzo in Lucina.)

On the nights between August 10-13, more or less, you should be able to see some falling stars that are part of the Perseid meteor shower.

This phenomenon is associated with the saint as it's said shooting stars are his tears.

In August 2025 the Free Sunday date is: Sunday August 3rd.

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.

August 2025 - the free date to visit the Vatican is Sunday August 24th.

On the last Sunday of the month, the Vatican Museums are open and free.

Hours are reduced (9:00am - 2pm, with last entry at 12:30pm).

Expect long lines.

If you are on a budget, or have limited time, this can be a great opportunity. 

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.

Visit the Colosseum at night.

In August 2024, you can visit the Colosseum at night.

Entry for night visits to the Colosseum is NOT part of the Roma Pass.

NB - Tours are available on Thursday evenings and tickets can be purchased seven days before from Parco Colosseo.

When in Rome . . . why not attend a gladiator battle?

This fantastic show is produced by the Gruppo Storico Romano, with professional re-enactors, and real weapons and armor.

Take your seat in the re-constructed arena, not far from the Colosseum, and enjoy realistic gladiator fights, and other shows including ancient dances, rites of the Vesta, and more.

At the end of the show, you'll be treated to a small aperitif consisting of food and drink made with recipes from Ancient Rome.

Fridays and Sundays. 25€.

Enjoy the opera in Rome's beautiful Teatro dell'Opera (Opera House.)

At the Rome Auditorium, you can attend wonderful concerts and other events.

Opera Dinner: Dining During an Opera Interlude - Palazzo Pamphili

Treat yourself to a wonderful and romantic experience: a candlelight dinner in a musical atmosphere. 

This limited and exclusive event will take place in the Pamphilj Palace, from where you can enjoy a magnificent view of Piazza Navona.

Music from Leoncavallo, Puccini, Verdi and more.

For more information and to purchase your tickets, click here.

Open Air Opera & Aperitif - Terrazza Borromini

Hear the famous arias from Puccini's Tosca as well as selected arias by Verdi, Rossini, and Bellini in the historical setting of the Palazzo Pamphili on Piazza Navona in Rome.

Immerse yourself in stunning music and indulge in an aperitif while overlooking the unique skyline of Rome.

For more information and to purchase your tickets, click here.

La Traviata in Rome: The Original Opera with Ballet - St Paul's Church Within the Walls

Experience Giuseppe Verdi's masterwork 'La Traviata' in the unique atmosphere of St. Paul's Within the Walls in Rome.

The singers will be accompanied by strings, wind instruments, and piano.

For more information and to purchase your tickets, click here.

LI Virtuosi dell’opera di Roma - St Paul's Church Within the Walls

Experience the intense yet fascinating world of lyrical Opera.

Witness unforgettable ouvertures, enchanting arias, amazing duets, the Orchestra I Virtuosi dell’opera di Roma six‐musicians ensamble and its internationally renowned singers perform an incredible journey in between great music and belcanto.

For more information and to purchase your tickets, click here.