Events in Rome

Ash Wednesday
Marking the first day of lent, Ash Wednesday derives its name from the practice of placing ashes on the foreheads of the faithful as a sign of repentance. It also offers a rare opportunity to see the Pope outside of his more famous mode of transport, as he walks accompanied by members of the College of Cardinals from the Basilica of Santa Sabina to the Circus Maximus where a ceremony will take place.

Good Friday Procession
Part of the Easter celebrations in the city, The Good Friday procession makes quite a spectacle as it winds its way from the Colosseum up to Monte Palatino. Held at night, tens of thousands of people gather with torches and lights to follow Pope Benedict XVI lead the solemn torchlit procession which re-enacts the 14 stations of the cross, from Jesus death sentence to the placement of his body in the tomb. Carrying a large wooden cross part of the way, the Pope then stops briefly at each station to offer a short prayer. The procession ends at  the final station where he will give a speech linking current day events to the re-enactment.

Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia - Year Round
The Accademia Nazionale Santa Cecilia runs a year round program of exceptional recitals, concerts and other music events, including the superb Caffe' Sinfonico, a series of informal lectures and debates covering all aspects of the world of classical music.

Visit the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia site »

Rome Independent Film Festival - 19 to 27 March
Rome’s first independent and international film festival exists to give a platform for young, up and coming Italian filmmakers, and to showcase films from around the world. The festival culminates in the the Corti in Luce Award, which offers the winner theatre distribution for their film. It’s a cultural event that demonstrates the strength of independent cinema, that anyone with a passion for innovation and discovering new talent would find hard to miss.

Visit the Rome Independent Film Festival website »

Rome Marathon - 22 March 09 - Colosseum
Rome's annual marathon is attracting more and more runners each year, and provides one of the most visually stunning courses of any event on the calendar. Attracting the world's top athletes, and many thousands of amateur runners keen to test themselves on the same roads as their ‘heroes’, the race starts in front of the 2000 year old colosseum and winds its way through most of the famous and beautiful areas of the city.

Roma Wine Festival - March 09 - Spazio Etoile
An annual event, the Roma wine festival offers something for everyone, from professionals within the trade to amateur wine buffs and casual visitors seeking to understand more of the science and magic behind the making of Italian wines. Over the course of 3 days there are a series of workshops, presentations, and special tasting events. For the chance to sample great wines you’ve never heard of, or that are impossible to find then the Roma wine festival will provide you with ample opportunity for this and more!

More details on the Roma Wine Festival »