Rome events in March 2023 - Holidays, exhibits, concerts, and other things to do

By Elyssa Bernard

February 28, 2023

Rome events in March include International Women's Day, the Feast Day of Santa Francesca Romana, Father's Day (Festa di San Giuseppe), and more!

One of my favorite March happenings in Rome is on March 9, the feast day of Santa Francesca Romana - the one day a year you can visit this stunning convent dedicated to her.

Find out all the things to see and do in Rome in March.

Rome events in March 2023 - What's happening

March is a great time to visit Rome for a lot of reasons, whether you're hoping to come in a slightly quieter season, are on a school holiday, or are looking forward to seeing Rome right before spring comes into full bloom.

March weather in Rome is still fairly 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 March 2023:

• Holidays in Rome in March
• Current exhibits at Rome's museums
• Sports/sporting events in Rome in March
• Vatican events in March
• Free things to do in Rome in March
• Nighttime things to do in Rome in March
  
• Concerts and operas in Rome in March
• Tours to take in Rome in March
• Day trips to take in Rome in March
• Things to do with kids in Rome in March

Holidays and special dates in Rome in March

Special dates in March in Rome include International Women's Day, the Feast Day of Saint Frances of Rome, Father's Day, and more.

March 8 - International Women's Day

International Women's Day is a major international holiday around the world (for some reason that escapes me, it's barely heard of in the U.S.).

In early March, expect to see bouquets of mimosa flowers for sale around Rome. You can buy them for yourself or for the women in your life to commemorate International Women's Day.

Although it's not a bank holiday, it's still widely recognized.

The tradition is to give some mimosa flowers to the women in your life.

In early March, you will see a lot of these flowers for sale in Rome.

On this day, all of Rome's CIVIC museums are free for women.

March 9 - Feast Day of Saint Frances of Rome

Saint Frances (1378-1440) founded an order called the Olivetan Oblates of Mary, and eventually the Tor de' Specchi monastery, right near Capitoline Hill.

One of the most special Rome events in March is the one-day opening of the convent of Tor de' Specchi, where you can see these stunning frescoes by Antoniazzo Romano.

The monastery is only open on March 9 each year, the anniversary of the death of the saint.

It's free to visit but you will find a line and some crowds.

If you are on Rome on this day, I highly recommend visiting this site. The frescoes are stunningly beautiful.

March 15 - The Ides of March

On this day in 44BC Julius Caesar was assassinated in the heart of Rome, by his friends and colleagues in the Roman Senate, who were concerned about his growing power.

This act marked a major shift in ancient Rome, leading to a civil war which the first emperor Augustus won.

The ruins at Largo Argentina mark the spot where on the Ides of March, March 15, 44 BCE, Julius Caesar was assassinated. One of the more unusual Rome events in March is the re-enactment of this episode on this spot.

Because it was such a significant event, to this day Romans remember the Ides of March.

There is a re-enactment of the assassination in the ruins at Largo Argentina on March 15 - this is where it actually happened, not in the Roman Forum!

March 17 - Saint Patrick's Day

In honor of Saint Patrick's Day, March 17, Tourism Ireland lights up the Colosseum in green. 

One of the most unusual Rome events in March is watching the Colosseum turn green on Saint Patrick's Day.

This is part of their #globalgreening initiative. They light up other monuments around Europe, too.

The lighting is from around 9-11pm.

March 19 - Father's Day

March 19 is Father's Day in Italy.

In Italian it's called La Festa di San Giuseppe. 

Giuseppe is Italian for Joseph and of course Father's Day here is named for the one of the most famous fathers, at least in Catholic history.

If you have a sweet tooth, one of the best Rome events in March for you will be La Festa di San Giuseppe, Father's Day. You will find these scrumptious bignès at pastry shops and cafés all around Rome in March.

Why is this important if you're visiting Rome in March?

Because you will want to load up on some bignè di San Giuseppe, which are pastry bombs filled with cream. A must!

As March 19 is a Christian holiday, St. Joseph's Day, the Vatican Museums will be closed on this day.

Last weekend of March - Daylight saving Time begins

The last Sunday of March is the beginning of Daylight Saving Time in Europe (this date differs from the U.S. and some other parts of the world). 

We LOSE one hour.

In 2023, we set our clocks ahead on the night of Saturday March 25 at 2:00 AM (March 26.)

Don't forget to turn your clock AHEAD by one hour on the last weekend in March!

Be aware of this if you have any Sunday morning plans like a tour or flight.

Rome Marathon

The Rome Marathon, usually held around either the last Sunday in March or first Sunday in April, will be held on Sunday March 19 2023.

This really won't affect you much unless you run the marathon, or are staying or planning any cultural visits near the route.

For more info, visit the official website of the Rome Marathon.

Current exhibits and events at Rome's museums in March

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 March at various museums around the city:

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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

Book here

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

Book here

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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.

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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

Find out more here.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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

There are a lot of smaller exhibitions in March. 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 March, or drill down further by category such as dance, music, etc.

Sport/sporting Rome events in March

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Catch the Six-Nations Rugby match when the Azzurri will face Wales.

March 11 2023 at 3:15 PM.

Buy Tickets

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The Roma-Ostia Half Marathon will take place on Sunday March 5 2023

The race goes from Roma EUR – Palalottomatica to the Piazzale Cristoforo Colombo roundabout in Ostia.

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The annual Rome Marathon, will take place on Sunday March 19, 2023.

Rome Events in February

Rome Events in April

Vatican Events in March

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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.

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March 19, 2023 is Father's Day, and a Catholic Holiday (Festa di San Giuseppe), 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.

Visit Rome's Parks and gardens

While March can still be a chilly month, it can still be a beautiful time to visit a park or garden in Rome, especially towards the end of March when flowers start blooming.

Villa Borghese

Botanical Gardens

Secret Gardens

Vatican Gardens

Rome events in March - Free things to do

If you're looking for some fun Rome events in March that are free, the below are confirmed for 2023:

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Rome's civic museums, including the Capitoline museums, Trajan's Market, Ara Pacis and others are offering free admission to women on March 8, 2023 in honor of International Women's Day. 

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The first Sunday of the month, Rome's Civic Museums are free for everyone.

On Sunday March 5 2023, you can visit the Capitoline Museums, Ara Pacis, Villa Torlonia, Trajan's Market and many others for free.

Advance booking is required.

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In 2023 the Vatican Museums will be free and open on Sunday March 26. 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.

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In March 2023, the Colosseum will be free to enter on Sunday March 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.

Winter in Rome

Spring in Rome

Rome on a rainy day

Best time to visit Rome

Nighttime things to do in Rome in March

In Rome in March the evenings can be colder than you might think.

Most of March is still winter!

And while it's still too early in the season for nighttime visits to the Vatican Museums or the Colosseum, you can still enjoy the city after the sun goes down.

For nighttime tours and Rome events in March, visit Viator.

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Ready to plan your trip?

Book your train

Book your flight

Find a hotel

Buy your TurboPass

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Rome events in March - Concerts, operas, shows

Disclosure : If you make a purchase through a link on this page, I may receive a small commission - at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my site!

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

Rome Opera Tickets

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

Concert tickets

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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.

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Visit the extraordinary Capuchin Crypt, then head into the recently restored church to listen to sacred music in a gorgeous setting.

Wednesday afternoons.

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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.

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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€.

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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.

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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€.

For more concerts and music Rome events in March, click here to visit Get Your Guide.

Tours to take in Rome in March

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 March, start here:

Day trips to take in Rome in March

March 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 March

Whether you are visiting Rome in March 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 March, and most central.

For a complete list of Rome events in March, visit the website of the Rome Tourist Board.

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