The best things to do in Rome this August 2025
Even though Romans tend to flee to their summer escapes during August (especially on Ferragosto), Rome has some pretty cool events to keep you entertained during the hottest month of the year. Check out the best events in Rome this August 2025.
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Dining al fresco in Rome
Exhibitions this August in Rome
If you have a passion for art, Rome in August 2025 has a rich lineup of exhibitions to explore. At the Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna e Contemporanea, don’t miss “East and West: International Dialogue Exhibition – From Shanghai to Rome”, a cross-cultural journey through contemporary art. Over at Chiostro del Bramante, “Flowers” offers a colorful and emotional take on one of the most iconic subjects in art.
Palazzo Bonaparte hosts two standout exhibitions: “Elliott Erwitt – Icons”, showcasing the legendary photographer’s most iconic shots, and “Carole A. Feuerman”, known for her hyperrealistic sculptures. Meanwhile, Villa Medici invites you to the immersive Festival des Cabanes, a creative open-air celebration of architecture and imagination.
For fashion and design lovers, “From the Heart to the Hands: Dolce & Gabbana” is a must-see, combining haute couture with craftsmanship. And last but not least, Galleria Borghese presents a powerful solo exhibition by Wangechi Mutu, on view until 14 September — the first show in the museum’s history dedicated to a contemporary woman artist.
Best events in August in Rome
Live music
August might not be as packed with concerts as June and July, but you can still catch a few good shows, especially at the beginning and end of the month. Check them out and pick your favourite!
Read more28 July – 3 August | Jubilee of Youth
From July 28 to August 3, 2025, Rome will host the Jubilee of Youth, a major international event welcoming thousands of young people aged 18 to 35. The week includes spiritual, cultural, and artistic activities across the city — from pilgrimages and concerts to catechesis and dialogue with local communities.
Highlights include a Mass in St. Peter’s Square (July 29th at 7pm), a penitential celebration at the Circus Maximus (1 August from 10.30am to 6pm), and a prayer vigil (2 August from 3pm) and closing Mass (3 August at 9am) with Pope Francis at Tor Vergata. A unique opportunity to experience Rome as a city of hope, encounter, and shared faith.
Read more5 August | La Madonna della Neve
For those who miss wintry nights in the height of summer, fret not: La Madonna della Neve has got you covered. Each year, between 8pm-12pm on 5th of August, Piazza di Santa Maria Maggiore transforms into a snowy wonderland filled with music, dance and light shows. This event, which draws thousands of visitors annually, originated from a dream. According to legend, the Virgin Mary appeared in a dream to Pope Liberius (352–366 AD) on the night of August 4th and told him that a location in Rome would be marked by snowfall. The next morning, snow was found covering the site where the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore now stands. Even if you are not religiously inclined, this event that takes place in front of the imposing Church of Santa Maria Maggiore is not one to miss.
Madonna della NeveUntil 9 August | Summertime at Casa del Jazz
Even in August, Summertime at Casa del Jazz keeps the music going. Until 9 August, the summer festival, produced by Fondazione Musica per Roma, continues to bring Italian and international stars, jazz-rock legends, great orchestras, renowned pianists, and cross-genre experiments to the open-air stage of Villa Osio on Viale di Porta Ardeatina. With over 40 concerts and performances, August is the perfect time to enjoy live music under the Roman sky in one of the city’s most charming green settings.
August Line-up: Raphael Gualazzi, Danilo Rea & ONJGT, Joshua Redman, The Fearless Flyers, Shablo, Grande Orchestra Avion Travel
SummertimeUntil 7 August | Caracalla Festival
Opera, dance, cinema, theater, great symphonic music, jazz and pop. The summer program of Rome’s Teatro dell’Opera becomes a festival: the Caracalla Festival, with 60 evenings from 3 June to 7 August at the ancient Baths of Caracalla. Don’t miss out and book your spots!
August Line-up: La Traviata, Carmina Burana
Caracalla FestivalAugust 12 | Il Cosmo al Circo Massimo
On Tuesday, August 12, the archaeological area of the Circus Maximus will once again host Il Cosmo al Circo Massimo, with a special event dedicated to families and children.
The event will take place on the eve of the Night of San Lorenzo, traditionally associated with the famous shooting stars.
Gates open at 9:00 PM, with the show starting at 9:30 PM: an evening under the stars featuring a digital telescope, live astronomical puppetry by Gabriele Catanzaro, and a guided observation of the night sky.
The show will also be projected on a large screen and onto the Torre della Moletta. Guests are encouraged to bring a blanket to sit comfortably on the grass.
InfoUntil 20 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.
After the summer break, concerts resume at the end of August with major international acts like Stereophonics and Franz Ferdinand!
August Line-up: Stereophonics, Franz Ferdinand
Roma Summer FestUntil 15 October | Jazz&Image: Colosseum Festival
Experience the magic of jazz, and much more, with concerts set against the stunning backdrop of the Colosseum. Until October, Parco del Celio once again hosts Jazz&Image, the festival organized by Rome’s historic Alexanderplatz Jazz Club. Featuring performances by both Italian and international artists, the event is one of the cultural highlights of late summer in the city.
The festival offers a full day of experiences: from morning brunch and lunch under the trees to sunset aperitivos, main concerts starting at 9 PM, and late-night jam sessions or dance parties under the stars.
Jazz&ImageOpen-air Cinema
Experience the enchantment of open-air cinema in Rome this August. From piazzas like Piazza Vittorio to cultural venues like the Casa del Cinema, various locations offer outdoor movie screenings. Immerse yourself in the magic of cinema under the stars and enjoy a diverse range of films.
Outdoor cinemas in RomeFood Festivals around Rome
If you’re up for a short day trip from Rome, summer is the perfect time to explore the many sagre (local food festivals) taking place across the Lazio region. These traditional celebrations are all about seasonal produce, regional recipes, and community spirit, from sagre dedicated to porcini mushrooms, truffles, or wild boar, to ones celebrating cherries, wine, and even fried pizza. Expect charming hilltop towns, music, open-air dinners, and authentic food experiences off the beaten path. A delicious way to dive into local culture!
Food Festivals and Sagre around RomeUntil 28 September | Evening Walks Through the Imperial Forums
Until September 28, every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 7:30pm to 10pm (last entry), you can explore the Imperial Forums under the stars. The one-hour tour starts from Piazza della Madonna di Loreto, along a special illuminated walkway. Groups of up to 25 people, accompanied by a guide (4 tours in Italian, 2 in English), will walk through Trajan’s Forum, the underground passage beneath Via dei Fori Imperiali, Caesar’s Forum with its ancient shops and the Temple of Venus, and finally reach the Curia (the Roman Senate), exiting on Via Bonella.
InfoUntil 11 October | Tales of Light: an immersive journey through the history of galleria borghese
An extraordinary and immersive journey through the history of Galleria Borghese, Tales of Light is a brand-new video mapping experience that will illuminate the rear façade of the museum, bringing to life centuries of history, art, and transformation that have made this one of the most beloved cultural destinations in the world. The projections will run from July 11 to October 11, 2025, Friday and Saturday, starting at 9:15 p.m., with multiple showings each evening.
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