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Rome events in September 2023 - Holidays, exhibits, concerts, and other things to do
Rome events in September mostly involve the city coming back to life after the summer holidays.
September is one of my favorite months for catching spectacular sunsets in Rome, like this one at the top of the Spanish Steps.Romans start flooding back home, any shops or restaurants that closed in August reopen, and it's the time of year when new shows and exhibits open.
September is in fact one of the busiest months of year in Rome.
Find out all the things to see and do in Rome in September.
Rome events in September - What's happening
September is a beautiful month to visit Rome.
It somehow manages to cool down just enough from the August heat and humidity to make it perfect sight-seeing weather. There is no specific holiday in Rome in September, but there is a lot happening.
Keep reading for more info about the best Rome events in September 2022:
- Holidays in Rome in September
- Current exhibits at Rome's museums
- Free things to do in Rome in September
- Sporting events in Rome in September
- Nighttime things to do in Rome in September
- Concerts and operas in Rome in September
- Tours to take in Rome in September
- Day trips to take in Rome in September
- Things to do with kids in Rome in September
Holidays in Rome in September
There are no bank or religious holidays per se in September in Rome.
But there are some interesting Rome events in September.
On September 4 at 1 pm, you can catch this amazing phenomenon inside the Pantheon when the light beam from the oculus fits perfectly over the door. Read on to find out the significance of this event.Pantheon - Arc of light on September 4
One of the many amazing things about the Pantheon is the way the sunbeam that comes in through the oculus moves around the inside of the dome and the rest of the building throughout the year.
Several times a year, the sunbeam moves over the door to interesting effect (we presume there were specific reasons for this when the Pantheon was built in ancient Rome).
At 1pm on September 4 (and maybe 1-2 days on either side of this date), the sunbeam perfectly encompasses the arc over the doorway, creating a ribbon of light on that arc, and a burst of sunlight through the doorway.
The theory is that this was to celebrate one of the most important, if not THE most important deities of the Roman pantheon, Jupiter Optimus Maximus.
There is a similar phenomenon in early April to honor another important Roman deity, Cybele.
For me this is one of the best and most fascinating Rome events in September.
For more about this, click here to read the academic paper about it.
Current exhibits at Rome's museums in September
There are several Rome events in September at various museums around the city. These are confirmed for 2022:
Domus Aurea Experience
Waiting for the completion of the restoration, the Domus Aurea comes to life again thanks to state-of-the-art multimedia technology. It is a true journey through time that allows the public to walk for 75 minutes through the original rooms of the palace, thanks to immersive reality and video narrative.
from 6 May 2022 to 31 December 2022
Tiziano. Dialogues of Nature and Love
from 14 June 2022 to 18 September 2022
From Tuesday to Sunday 09:00-19:00 (last access 18:00)
5€ full price. Free for Rome residents, children under 6, tour guides, and many other categories. For a full list, click the below link.
Capitoline Museums
Cursus Honorum. The government of Rome before Caesar
Four male and one female voice perform the story of the republican period and reveal the nature of the political activities of the ancient Roman Republic.
Through October 2, 2022
Caesar's heritage and the conquest of time
The Fasti Capitolini, extraordinary calendars engraved in marble, narrate the history of Rome from its origins to the dawn of the imperial age thanks to multimedia.
Through October 2, 2022
Domitian Emperor. Hatred and love
An important archaeological exhibition dedicated to the figure of the emperor Domitian (51 AD - 96 AD), co-produced by the Capitoline Superintendence for Cultural Heritage and the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden of the Dutch city of Leiden.
from 13 July 2022 to 29 January 2023
Advanced booking is required.
Chiostro del Bramante
CRAZY: Madness in Contemporary Art
Through 8 January 2023.
Chiostro del Bramante is just behind Piazza Navona.
Monday to Friday 10 am - 8 pm
Saturday and Sundays 10 am - 9 pm
The box office and show entrance close one hour before.
15€ Weekdays. 18€ Saturdays and Sundays.
Palazzo Barberini
Disney. L’arte di raccontare storie senza tempo
April 15 - September 25, 2022
Open Tuesday - Sunday 10 am - 6 pm. Closed Mondays.
10€ standard. 2€ reduced (Europeans 18 - 25). Free for anyone under 18.
Trajan's Market
1932, l’elefante e il colle perduto
A selection of about 100 pieces, including archaeological objects, graphic designs, art objects and videos, some of them exposed for the first time, describes the story of the lost Velia and 'its' elephant.
Through October 2, 2022
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.
Rome events in September - Free things to do
If you're looking for some fun Rome events in September that are free, there are very few so far confirmed for 2022.
The below are either confirmed or pending for 2022.
Please check back as I will be monitoring all these and other possible events:
On Saturday and Sunday, 17 and 18 September, 2022, some Rome museums and archeological sites will participate in European Heritage Day, "Giornate Patrimonio Europeo" in Italian.
A lot of sites and museums will be open Saturday September 17 until midnight, either for free or at a reduced rate, usually of a symbolic 1 Euro.
Sometime in early September, they will release information about which sites are open late and participating. You can follow the event on social with hashtags: #GEP2022 #museitaliani #europeanheritagedays #patrimonioculturaletuttiinclusi
You may also wish to visit the official website of the Beni Culturali, which shows the many appointments for special tours that day in Rome (Italian only.)
Visit Rome's Parks and gardens
September is a beautiful time to visit a park or garden in Rome.
Sporting Rome events in September 2022
Whether you want to participate or watch, there are a few exciting sporting things to do in September in Rome:
In astounding news, the Longines Global Champions Tour, the prestigious horse world's show jumping circuit, is returning this September to the Circus Maximus.
This means that after last year's event, which was the first time in nearly 2,000 years the Circus Maximus was used as it once was, for horse racing (think Ben Hur), we get to experience it again!
And best of all, it's free (but you must register. Visit the official site here.)
What an amazing opportunity to see history repeat itself.
September 1-4, 2022
Free Sunday Rome events in September 2022
In recent years, we've enjoyed the "Free Sunday," in which state sites and museums were free the first Sunday of the month, and the Vatican Museums were free the last Sunday of the month.
After a pause in this scheme due to Covid restrictions, the Free Sunday is back for 2022!
In September 2022, the Free Sunday is September 4.
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.
In September 2022, the Vatican Museums Free Sunday is September 25.
On the last Sunday of the month, the Vatican Museums are open and free. Hours are reduced (9:30am - 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.
Nighttime things to do in Rome in September
The first 3 weeks of September are still summer and in fact, it feels a lot like summer.
So, many of the summer nighttime events, in particular those held outdoors, are still going on.
The below nighttime Rome events in September are mostly outdoor things to do in Rome (except for visiting the Vatican Museums on Fridays.)
They are not free and should be booked in advance.
The Vatican Museums are open Friday and Saturday until 10:30 pm (Mon - Thu until 6:30 pm). Last entry 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 night.
The wonderful Viaggio Nei Fori, a nighttime light show on the via dei Fori Imperiali, showcasing the life of Rome's first emperor, Octavian Augustus, is back! This is one of the best Rome events in September - you'll get to enjoy a light show, keep cool at night, all while soaking up some Roman history.
June 10 - October 2 2022.
This is a fantastic visit inside the Imperial Forums, and one of my favorite Rome events in September.
The narration, together with the magnificent films and projections from the incredible historical and scientific rigor, accompany you in an exciting adventure to discover these two evocative places as they were in ancient Rome.
It's all lit up and there are some effects to bring the space to life.
It's a truly fantastic immersive visit to Ancient Rome.
June 10 - October 2, 2022, every night, with varying times depending on the specific time of year.
Advanced booking strongly recommended - visit their website for all the details and pricing, you can do a combo ticket for this visit and the Augustus Forum light show as well.
Visit the Baths of Caracalla by night.
From September 2 - 30, 2021, on some Thursdays and some Saturdays you can visit this amazingly intact ruin from Ancient Rome at night.
Options are a self-guided/accompanied entrance (10€) with no guide, or a guided tour that includes the underground and the mithraeum, in Italian only (20€).
Visit the Colosseum by moonlight!
In September 2022, you can visit the Colosseum at night. I'd say this is one of the very best Rome events in September as you get to see the Colosseum lit up at night, and it's much less crowded than during the day.
Entry for night visits to the Colosseum is NOT part of the Roma Pass.
NB - They don't usually open this on Coopculture until right before the event so if you don't see availability for when you want to go, check back.
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€.
From early June through mid September 2022, everyone is welcome to Gay Village, one of Rome's largest LGBT festivals of the year, held in EUR.
Open daily, there will be dance, music, nightclub and other live outdoor events. Sunday - Wednesday, from 6pm. Thursday - Saturday, from 7pm.
Restaurants and cocktail bars are also on-site.
Tickets required.
Click the photo on the left for events schedule, directions and tickets.
For more nighttime tours and Rome events in September, visit Viator.
Ready to plan your trip?
Rome events in September - Concerts, operas, shows
Jazz at the Colosseum
A summer music festival offers open-air jazz concerts with panoramic views of the Colosseum by night, from 2 July until 2 October.
Jazz & Image Live is staged in a semi-forgotten corner of Parco Celio, near the tram line, overlooking the Colosseum and the Arch of Constantine.
The festival hosts live concerts by high-level Italian and international musicians, with performances taking place at 21.30.
To book, visit their website.
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.
Enjoy outdoor concerts at Teatro di Marcello in Rome's Jewish Ghetto.
From July through to October 2, 2022
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.
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.
For more concerts and music Rome events in September, click here to visit Get Your Guide.
Tours to take in Rome in September
It's a good idea to take a tour in September. First of all, it can be hot, and a good tour will both take your mind off the heat and also keep you focused and spending limited time outside.
Second of all, September really is peak, peak season. So 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.
For tours to take in September, start here:
Day trips to take in Rome in September
September is a wonderful time to take a day trip, especially if you are looking to beat the heat in 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 September
September is usually when many kids have gone back to school, but there are still 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 September, and most central. For a complete list of Rome events in September, visit the website of the Rome Tourist Board.
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