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Rome events in February 2023 - Holidays, exhibits, concerts, and other things to do
Rome events in February include Valentine's Day, Six-Nations Rugby matches, and Carnival.
Whether you are visiting Rome in February for a romantic getaway around Valentine's Day, or to enjoy a Six-Nations rugby match, or Carnival, there's plenty happening in Rome this month!Find out all the things to see and do in Rome in February.
Rome events in February 2023 - What's happening
February is a great time to visit Rome for a lot of reasons, whether you're visiting for a romantic getaway, or are craving a quieter winter month, or are coming for some Six-Nations rugby!
February weather in Rome is 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 February 2023:
- Holidays in Rome in February
- Current exhibits at Rome's museums
- Sports/sporting events in Rome in February
- Vatican events in February
- Free things to do in Rome in February
- Nighttime things to do in Rome in February
- Concerts and operas in Rome in February
- Tours to take in Rome in February
- Day trips to take in Rome in February
- Things to do with kids in Rome in February
Holidays and special dates in Rome in February
Probably the date that comes to mind for many in February is Valentine's Day.
There are no other major Rome events in February, but there are plenty of things to do, concerts, exhibits, etc.
February 14 - Valentine's Day
If you're visiting Rome over Valentine's Day, you may be looking for some romantic things to do and romantic places to eat.
I've got you covered!
If you're looking for some unique ways and/or a place to propose, try these options.
Carnival/carnevale
Carnival begins the week before Lent, culminating in Fat Tuesday, followed by Ash Wednesday.
Dates for Carnival, Carnevale in Italian, in 2023 are:
- Fat Thursday: February 16
- Carnival Sunday: February 19
- Fat Tuesday: February 21
Expect to see kids dressed up and coriandoli (coloured confetti) all over Rome's streets and sidewalks.
While Carnival in Venice is a really famous event for grownups, in Rome it seems to be mostly about kids dressing up.
One of the best things about Rome in February is enjoying these fried sugary treats, castagnole and frappe, here shown at Roscioli bakery.And of course, the best part about Carnival in Rome?
Eating the fried sugary dough treats, castagnole and frappe.
Current exhibits and events at Rome's museums in February
The cooler winter 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 February at various museums around the city:
Palazzo Bonaparte
Van Gogh
Sixty works - including the famous self-portrait - and numerous biographical testimonies reconstruct the human and artistic history of the sensitive Dutch painter, today universally celebrated but with a tormented life.
8 October 2022 to 26 March 2023
Regular hours:
Monday to Friday from 09.00 - 19.00
Saturday and Sunday 09.00 - 21.00
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
Ongoing
Open daily but with availability only for the following few weeks at a time.
5€ full price. Free for children under 6, tour guides, and many other categories. For a full list, click the below link.
Villa Torlonia
Pietro Cascella Unedited
In the Villa Torlonia museum this exhibition tells a little-known chapter in the history of the artist Pietro Cascella through more than one hundred works, many of which have never been seen before.
1 December 2022 to 19 March 2023
Discover more details and how to book your tickets here.
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.
Sport/sporting Rome events in February
Catch the following Six-Nations Rugby matches in Rome:
Italy vs France February 5 2023 - kick-off at 4pm
Italy vs Ireland February 25 2023 - kick-off at 3.15pm
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 February
On Sunday, February 5 2023, there will be a Papal Mass for the "Feast of the Presentation of the Lord - Holy Mass".
Mass is at 17:30 inside St. Peter's Basilica.
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.
February 11, 2023 is a national holiday in Vatican City, so the Vatican Museums are closed this day.
This does not affect the opening hours of St. Peter's Basilica, or Vatican Square, which are both open and free.
Depending on when Easter falls, February can have a few Vatican-related events, such as Ash Wednesday.
In 2023 Ash Wednesday falls on February 22. You may attend this Papal Mass. It's free but you need a ticket.
Visit Rome's Parks and gardens
While February can be a cold month, it can still be a beautiful time to visit a park or garden in Rome, and they are all open in winter.
Rome events in February - Free things to do
If you're looking for some fun Rome events in February that are free, the below are confirmed for 2023:
The first Sunday of the month, Rome's Civic Museums are free for everyone.
On Sunday February 5 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.
In 2023 the Vatican Museums will be free and open on Sunday February 26. Expect large crowds on this day, even in February.
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.
In February 2023, the Colosseum will be free to enter on Sunday February 5.
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.
Nighttime things to do in Rome in February
In Rome in February the evenings can be pretty chilly and of course it gets dark early.
But that doesn't mean you cannot enjoy the city after the sun goes down!
For nighttime tours and Rome events in February, visit Viator.
Rome events in February - Concerts, operas, shows
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.
Wednesday 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.
Sunday early evenings.
Valentine's Day Concerts
The Great Opera and Ballet St Valentine's Special Edition
Combining the great Italian opera arias with ballet dancers, this special event takes place in the evocative Caravita Church, between the Trevi Fountain and Pantheon.
Tuesday February 14, 2023 at 8:30 PM
Opera Concert with traditional Italian dinner
Combine a delicious dinner with operatic performance in a historic church setting in the heart of Rome.
February 14 2023 at 7:30 PM, as well as other dates.
For more concerts and music Rome events in February, click here to visit Get Your Guide.
Tours to take in Rome in February
This could be considered a romantic tour to take in February:
Settings of the Opera Tosca Walking Tour
Explore the beauty of Rome while visiting the sites where the acts of Puccini's famous opera Tosca took place.
Offered daily in February 2023.
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 February, start here:
Day trips to take in Rome in February
February is a wonderful time to take a day trip, especially if you want to try some food/wine ventures outside Rome.
We have 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 February
Whether you are visiting Rome in February for the holidays or just for a short getaway, if you are coming with kids, there are plenty of tours and activities in Rome geared to 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 February, and most central. For a complete list of Rome events in February, visit the website of the Rome Tourist Board.
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