Rome events in July 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!

Palazzo Barberini 

Caravaggio 2025, a landmark exhibition celebrating Michelangelo Merisi, known as Caravaggio (1571–1610), as part of the Jubilee celebrations. Curated by Francesca Cappelletti, Maria Cristina Terzaghi, and Thomas Clement Salomon, this collaboration between the Gallerie Nazionali di Arte Antica and Galleria Borghese showcases an extraordinary selection of Caravaggio's autograph works.

Highlights include the Portrait of Maffeo Barberini, publicly displayed for the first time in over 60 years, and Ecce Homo, returning to Italy from the Prado after centuries. Iconic works like Saint Catherine of Alexandria and Martha and Mary Magdalene join rediscoveries and rare loans, such as The Cardsharps and The Martyrdom of Saint Ursula. The exhibition offers an unparalleled exploration of Caravaggio’s artistic revolution, reflecting his profound impact on the religious, cultural, and social landscapes of his time.

For more details, click here.

March 7 to July 6, 2025

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.

In July 2025 the Free Sunday date for Rome's civic and state sites is Sunday July 6.

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.

On the last Sunday of the month, July 27, 2025, 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.

One of the best Rome events in July is the Romaestate 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.) 

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€.

In July, you can visit the Colosseum at night .... dates and times TBA.

For details check the official Colosseum ticketing site here.

In July, the Vatican Museums are open Friday and Saturday until 8 pm (Mon - Thu until 7 pm).

Last entry is 2 hrs prior to closing time.

The ticket is a regular ticket and must be booked in advance.

Click here to book your tour of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel on Friday or Saturday night.

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

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

Love Cello Duet, The best of Chopin and Beethoven - Piazza Navona

Marco Algenti Lisa Francese, perform the most beautiful classical music of the romantic period. 

Set inside the famous Borromini Sacristy of the Sant'Agnese in Agone Church in piazza Navona, this concert is not to be missed.

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

Opera Dinner: Dining During an Opera Interlude - Palazzo Pamphili

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

Set inside the Pamphilj Palace with magnificent views of Piazza Navona, you'll enjoy the best of Italian cuisine, fine wines and an extensive line up. 

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

The Three Tenors - San Paolo dentro le Mura

This incredible performance in Rome features famous Italian opera arias from 'Tosca', 'La Traviata', and 'L'Elisir d’amore', as well as the most popular Neapolitan songs, like “O'sole mio” and “Torna a Surriento”.

Three tenor soloists will be accompanied by a string quartet and grand piano.

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

Open Air Opera Concert: Best Arias and Love Duets - Terazza 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. 

While immersing yourself in the stunning music, indulge in an aperitif while overlooking the unique skyline of Rome.

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