January 2017 Events in Rome – Your Calendar of What to Do

Good morning and happy new year!

Yes, good morning. A late start for me today because I am waking up in Los Angeles after ringing in the new year with my sister. We spent last night talking about our highlights of 2016 and our hopes for 2017.

A new year, and still plenty to be done in Rome. (Well, there will be – but like much of the world, I think we have all been taking a little digital detox over the holidays).  I will update this post as more events are announced.

Here is what is happening in Rome this January:

Every weekend: Every Saturday and Sunday (plus Friday 6 January), Mercato Monti returns with cool vintage and artisan wares in one of my favorite Roman neighborhoods.

1 January: New Years Day also happens to be Domenica al Museo, so ring in 2017 with free visits to cultural sites (like the Colosseum and Palazzo Barberini) today!

1 January: Kicking off with a major initiative, the city of Rome is celebrating with la Festa di Roma. Over 500 free events like concerts and DJ sets are planned throughout the day.

1 January: A New Year’s Day parade is planned down Via del Corso and around the city, starting at 15:30 in Piazza del Popolo.

5 January: The sales, or saldi, start through out Italy! Happy shopping!

5 January: Giovedì della villa kicks up again at Villa Medici with a special chocolate inspired night in honor of La Befana.

6 January: Leave your shoes out! La Befana, Italy’s Christmas witch, is visiting.  Today is the Epiphany – a national holiday so expect business closures and holiday schedules for transportation.

7 January: Ease into the New Year with some southern comfort from jazz band Dixie’s Duo at Black Market in Monti.

11 January: The second Wednesday of the month means €2 cinema thanks to the Ministry of Art and Culture. To search for Rome theaters, go here.

12 January: Want to study in Rome? The American University of Rome is hosting an open night to discuss undergraduate and graduate degree courses.

13 January: Interested in exploring Pigneto? Why not try a guided urban trek of this Roman neighborhood.

20 January: Join the ladies from Latteria Studio for a Market to Table workshop. You’ll shop in the morning, exploring the market and selecting produce, and then head to the kitchen for a day of cooking.

27-29 January: There is a meatball (polpette) festival planned at the Gazometro and it sounds delicious. Go. Eat.

27 January – 1 February: From January 27th to February 1st, Doney Restaurant at the Hotel Westin Excelsior will be transformed into an Indian Food Festival. Indian master chefs Sh. Arvind Rai and Sh. Tara Dutt Bhatt will prepare exclusive meals in celebration of India’s Republic Day. More information is available on the Facebook event, but you can also reserve your space at a 20% discount by contacting [email protected]

28 January: Ring in the Year of the Rooster and celebrate capodanno Cinese (Chinese New Year) at Piazza del Popolo. There will be a parade, shows and acrobats.

29 January: The Vatican Museums are free every last Sunday of the month. Trying to get in is madness, but January might maybe possibly be the only month where you don’t want to rip your eyes out while waiting in line. Proceed with caution – but also – free.

31 January: Break out of the winter blues with a trip to Rome’s opulent opera house. A concert of Čajkovskij, Stravinskij, Rostomyan will be performed by the orchestra and tickets are just €20.

Ongoing events and exhibits in Rome in January 2017:

Artemisia Gentileschi: The opening that everyone is talking about is the Artemisia Gentileschi exhibit. I am not a huge fan of the permanent collection at Palazzo Braschi, but I cannot wait to see this show and hope to try to make it this month. Artemisia Gentileschi was the only female painter who gained fame around the time of Caravaggio. The show runs from 30 November until 8 May.

Oltre Roma: The Hungarian Academy is hosting a show called ‘Oltre Roma‘ featuring contemporary artists at their Via Giulia villa through 13 January.

Fotografia: The 15th edition of the Rome International Photography festival is now showing at the MACRO on Via Nizza. Roma, Il Mondo will run until 8 January 2017.

Letizia Battaglia: Speaking of photography, check out an exhibit of vintage photos from Letitia Battaglia – ‘photographer of the mafia’ – now on show through 17 April 2017 at the Maxxi.

Guerre stellari. Play!: Star Wars geeks unite! The largest private collection of Star Wars memorabilia has opened as a show at the Vittoriano. More that 1,000 pieces related to the cinematic blockbuster are on display through 29 January 2017.

Contemporary art meets love: Through 19 February 2017, contemporary artists such as Andy Warhol, Yayoi Kusama,  Robert Indiana, and Gilbert & George will be shown together at Chiostro Bramante. The theme? Love, so I do appreciate that timing runs through Valentine’s Day! However, I have heard really mixed things about the show overall.

Edward Hopper at the Vittoriano: From 1 October 2016 to 12 February 2017, one of America’s most beloved painters of the 20th century will be on show at the Complesso del Vittoriano.  Pop by the terrace for a coffee with a view of the Colosseum when you are doing exploring more than 60 works on display.

Still looking for more? Try my posts on things to do in Rome or get off the beaten path and explore the unexpected Rome.

This post will be updated as more information about January events in Rome becomes available. 

3 thoughts on “January 2017 Events in Rome – Your Calendar of What to Do

  1. Aida says:

    Thank you so much for all these information, i searched a lot to to find the detailed event dates like this and finally, by your help, i found it

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