Discovering the best things to do in Rome in July
Rome, the eternal city, is always a fantastic destination, but the summer months bring an extra dose of excitement! It’s hot, it’s sexy, and there’s so much to explore and enjoy. In this article, we’ve got some awesome suggestions for the best events in July 2025 in Rome, such as exhibitions, summer festivals, and other cool activities happening in Rome this July.
Exhibitions this July in Rome
If you are an art lover, this July offers a number of very interesting exhibitions. Absolutely unmissable at Palazzo delle Esposizioni: Dal Cuore alle Mani, the exhibition that brings the creations of Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana to Rome, along with Rome Codex, the largest photographic exhibition ever produced in Italy, showcasing the work of Albert Watson.
While Galleria Borghese hosts an exhibition by Kenyan-American artist Wangechi Mutu, Villa Medici welcomes the traditional Festival des Cabanes. For contemporary art, visit the “Flowers” exhibit at Chiostro del Bramante.
July is also your last chance to see Frida Kahlo through the lens of Nickolas Muray and Salvador Dalí at Museo della Fanteria, as well as Global Baroque at the Scuderie del Quirinale.
The extraordinary Caravaggio exhibition at Palazzo Barberini has been extended until July 20th. Don’t miss it!
Best events in July in Rome
Live music
The month of July is when the Olympic Stadium gets filled with music, with big concerts planned and it is also the month of summer festivals, taking place all over the city. Many artists from a variety of musical traditions and backgrounds will be performing on various stages. Check them out and pick your favourite!
Read more2 – 29 July | Accademia di Santa Cecilia at Basilica di Massenzio
This summer, the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia returns to the Basilica of Maxentius after 47 years, bringing a month of open-air concerts to one of Rome’s most spectacular archaeological settings. From 2 to 29 July, the programme will fill the Roman Forum with music under the stars, ranging from Čajkovskij, Verdi, Mozart, Vivaldi and Gershwin to the cinematic scores of Alexandre Desplat, including music from Harry Potter, The Grand Budapest Hotel and The Shape of Water. Designed around a new temporary installation by Alvisi Kirimoto, the season combines classical music, film soundtracks, dance and opera in a setting that makes this one of Rome’s most evocative cultural events of the summer.
July line-up: Čajkovskij Gala (2 July), The Four Seasons with Mourad Merzouki (4 July), Alexandre Desplat film scores (9 July), Verdi tribute (15 July), Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue with Stefano Bollani (17 July), Chopin night (21 July), Mozart’s Requiem (24 July), Handel and Vivaldi with Concerto Köln (29 July).
Basilica di Massenziodiscover more coming soon
buy tickets Tickets
3 – 5 July | Rally di Roma
The Rally di Roma Capitale returns from 3 to 5 July 2026 for its 14th edition, bringing three days of motorsport, adrenaline and spectacle to Rome and the Lazio region. This special edition will serve as a preview of Rome’s entry into the official WRC calendar in 2027, marking a historic milestone for the event. Highlights include the photo opportunity at Piazza di Spagna on 2 July, the opening ceremony and special stage at the Colosseum on 3 July, and the final ceremony in Via della Conciliazione, against the backdrop of St. Peter’s Basilica, on 5 July.
rallydiromacapitale.it10-12 July | Videocittà The Festival of Vision and Digital Culture
From July 10 to 12, the iconic Gazometro in Ostiense will once again come alive with innovation and creativity, thanks to Videocittà. The festival transforms the space into a vibrant hub of immersive installations, audiovisual performances, virtual reality, and digital art. Videocittà invites audiences on a journey through the realms of audio-visual and digital creativity, with a rich program of screenings, performances, DJ sets, talks, video mappings, and video art — showcasing both Italian and international talent.
Videocittà 20258 July – 3 August | India Città Aperta
From July 8 to August 3, Teatro India transforms into a vibrant summer stage with India Città Aperta. A project that brings life to every corner of the theater, from the indoor halls to the open-air arena, and even a stage set in the garden, creating a true cultural hub in the shadow of the Gazometro.
The program features over 50 events and more than 100 artists, with something for everyone: workshops for children and families, experimental theater, stand-up comedy, contemporary circus, music, cinema, podcasting, and publishing, all woven into an inclusive, dynamic, and creative lineup.
teatrodiroma.netUntil 18 July | Rock in Roma
The Rock in Rome Festival began in 2009 and fifteen years later it has become one of the main international rock festivals in Italy. The event is a must for any rock music lover, with two months of programming starting in mid-June until the end of July at the huge Ippodromo delle Capannelle. For thousands of rock fans, this is THE unmissable event of the year in Rome!
July Line-up: Emma (2 July), Mumford & Sons with CAAMP (7 July), Mannarino (10 July), OneRepublic (12 July), Litfiba (16 July), Luchè (17 July), Bluvertigo (18 July).
Ippodromo delle Capannellediscover more Rock in Roma
buy tickets Tickets
Until 7 August | Summertime at Casa del Jazz
Starting on 13 June, Italian and foreign stars, jazz-rock legends, great orchestras, leading pianists, contaminations and new trends… the summer season of the Casa del Jazz, produced by the Fondazione Musica per Roma, offers once again this year a program full of novelties and surprises. More than 40 concerts and performances will take place on the open-air stage set up in the park of Villa Osio on Viale di Porta Ardeatina.
July Line-up: Anouar Brahem (2 July), Cécile McLorin Salvant (4 July), Nate Smith (6 July), Kurt Rosenwinkel (8 July), Fred Hersch Trio feat. Drew Gress & Peter Erskine (9 July), Kris Davis Trio (10 July), Dee Dee Bridgewater (13 July), Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Chris Potter, Larry Grenadier & Eric Harland (14 July), Hiromi’s Sonicwonder (15 July), Bill Frisell Trio & Greg Tardy (16 July), Fabrizio Bosso & CDJO Casa del Jazz Orchestra (17 July), MonoNeon (18 July), Billy Cobham (21 July), L’Antidote (22 July), Paolo Fresu, David Linx & Gustavo Beytelmann (24 July), Samara Joy (27 July), Fantastic Negrito (29 July), Temple Jazz Orchestra diretta da Terell Stafford, special guest Barbara Parisi (30 July).
Casa del Jazzdiscover more Summertime
buy tickets Tickets
Until 31 July | Teatro dell’Opera at Circo Massimo
This July, the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma brings its summer season to the Circo Massimo, after moving from the Baths of Caracalla due to restoration works. The programme includes opera, ballet, cinema, symphonic music and special performances under the Roman night sky. Highlights include The Gladiator in Concert on July 3 and 4, Riccardo Cocciante on July 6, Aida on July 12, 15, 18, 22, 26 and 28, Roberto Bolle and Friends on July 14, Edoardo Bennato on July 20, Romeo e Giulietta on July 24 and 25, Patti Smith on July 27, and Carmina Burana on July 31.
July Line-up: The Gladiator in Concert, Riccardo Cocciante, Aida, Roberto Bolle and Friends, Edoardo Benneato, West Side Story, Roberto Bolle and Friends, Romeo and Juliet, Patti Smith, Carmina Burana
Teatro dell’Opera at Circo MassimoUntil 15 September | Roma Summer Fest
The incredible architectural space of the Auditorium will host the Fondazione Musica per Roma – Roma Summer Fest. This is one of the most important music events of the Roman summer, each year hosting many artists from the national and international music scene who return to the capital for a series of unmissable concerts.
July Line-up: Danny Elfman’s Music from the Films of Tim Burton (1 July), John Legend (2 July), Ambrogio Sparagna (4 July), Pat Metheny Side Eye III + (5 July), Anastacia (6 July), Europe (7 July), Goran Bregović (8 July), Bresh (10 July), Dogstar (11 July), Subsonica (12 July), Marilyn Manson (14 July), Diana Krall (15 July), Johnny Marr (17 July), Jacob Collier (18 July), Fra Quintale (19 July), Marcus Miller (20 July), Kool & The Gang (21 July), Gregory Porter (25 July), Alice Sings Battiato (26 July), Capo Plaza (29 July), Elio e le Storie Tese (31 July).
Auditorium Parco della Musica – Caveadiscover more Roma Summer Fest
buy tickets Tickets
Until 5 September | Village Celimontana
Village Celimontana continues to bring live music to one of Rome’s most beautiful summer settings. Now in its tenth edition, the festival runs until September 5 at Villa Celimontana, with more than 100 free concerts throughout the season. Expect a rich programme of jazz, swing, manouche, rock’n’roll, Brazilian rhythms, dance nights and family-friendly events.
Villa Celimontanadiscover more Village Celimontana
buy tickets Book your vip seats here
Until 22 September | Jazz&Image: Colosseum Festival (TBC)
Until the 22nd of September the Parco del Celio will be hosting the event JAZZ&IMAGE organised by the historic Jazz Club of Rome Alexanderplatz Jazz Club, collaboration with another iconic venue, Big Mama. Both clubs are celebrating their 40th anniversaries in 2024, marking this milestone with a joint festival. The event will feature performances by both Italian and international musicians, making it a highlight of the late summer season.
Jazz&ImageUntil the end of August | Lungo il Tevere 2026
Get into the vibrant atmosphere of the riverside at the Lungo il Tevere summer festival along the Tiber, celebrating art, food, and nightlife. Enjoy free shows, cool shops, delicious cuisines, and cultural delights from July until late August.
Lungo il Tevere8, 9, 11, 13, 15, 16 July | LETTERATURE International Literature Festival of Rome 2025
Celebrating its 24nd year, the International Literature Festival will bring together esteemed Italian and international authors who have made significant contributions to contemporary literature.
As always, the stunning Stadio Palatino, located within the Colosseum Archaeological Park, will provide the backdrop for the festival. A final special event has been added on July 19 at the Idroscalo of Ostia
Letterature Festival Rome2 July – 7 September | Ostia Antica Festival
The 2025 Ostia Antica Festival presents a diverse program of music and theater performances, featuring renowned national artists in a blend of tradition and innovation. Held in collaboration with the Archaeological Park of Ostia Antica, the festival offers an enchanting atmosphere.
ostiaanticafestival.it12-14 July | Prisma Awards
After more than 45 events over the past 8 years, the Rome Prisma Film Awards return in June 2025 with an expanded three-day celebration of international short cinema in the heart of Rome.
Set in the iconic Cinema Farnese in Piazza Campo de’ Fiori and enriched by parallel events at prestigious venues like Palazzo Valentini and Spazio Sette Library, this summer edition features three evenings of screenings, along with networking opportunities, educational activities, and meetings between the public, filmmakers, and institutions.
romeprismafilmawards.comOpen-air Cinema
Experience the enchantment of open-air cinema in Rome this July. From piazzas like Piazza San Cosimato to parks like Parco degli Acquedotti and Villa Borghese, as well as cultural venues like MAXXI Museum, various locations offer outdoor movie screenings. Immerse yourself in the magic of cinema under the stars and enjoy a diverse range of films, making your summer nights in Rome truly memorable. Stay on the lookout for cinema listings.
Outdoor cinemas in Rome
