Oh, hello summer. So nice of you to finally bring the sun with you! And in addition to great weather, there are also some pret-ty special events in Rome in June.
It is certainly high season in Rome (and here’s what to you can expect when you visit Rome), but the busy time tends to translate into more things to do. Take your pick between outdoor concerts, beer tastings, flower festivals, and so much more.
Ready for June in Rome? Here you go:
Special Events in Rome – June 2018
All June: Il Cinema in Piazza returns to Rome showing original language movies for free out in the open air. Unfortunately, it is not in Piazza San Cosimato this year, but there is a new Trastevere location (Liceo J.F. Kennedy) as well as screening locations in Ostia and Tor Sapienza.
All June: Gay Village, a summer disco and cultural event, has opened in Testaccio and will remain open every day of the week this month.
Every weekend: Mercato Monti is open with popup vintage and small designer shopping.
1-3 June: The Nemi Strawberry festival is back! The main day is Sunday, June 3rd, but you can go any time this weekend to experience the small town next to the lake and taste the delicious tiny strawberries that they are best known for. It is one of my favorite festivals near Rome.
2 June: Happy Festa della Repubblica! Today is a national holiday in Rome (Republic Day) which marks the day in 1948 that Italians voted to end the monarchy and become a Republic. Expect military parades, flyovers, and some business closures – particularly banks and post offices (which already have limited weekend hours so you should be pretty good to go).
2-3 June: Take advantage of Incontriamoci in Giardino for a chance to visit some of Italy’s gorgeous gardens that are normally closed to the public.
3 June: Enjoy free access to state museums and monuments as part of Domenica al Museo.
7-9 June: Villa Medici is hosting its summer event Villa Aperta with special musical guests like Julien Ribot, all under the theme “Calling for a New Rennaissance.”
8-9 June: There is hardly a better place to watch The Gladiator than IN Circo Massimo. The famous film will be screened in the archeological site – and best of all? There will also be a 200-person orchestra to perform the movie’s score live. Sounds like magic.
8-10 June: Head out to Parco Ponte Nomentno where 20 craft breweries (mainly Italian) will be hosting the Beer Park festival. Entrance is free but you must purchase a glass and then pay for each tasting.
8 June: It is the kickoff of Estate Romana which means Rome’s River Bars are officially open!
9 June: It is Open Day at the Testaccio Market, meaning the market will be open until midnight with live music and DJs in the evening. I love this special event in Rome because I think it is a unique way to experience one of the city’s best markets.
14-16 June: Love the internets? It is Social Media Week in Rome, with lots of free lectures, networking opportunities, and discussions about all things social.
16 -18 June: Beloved Italian composer Ennio Morricone marks his 60-year career with a special concert at the Baths of Caracalla.
21 June: Want to hear even more music? It is Festa della Musica in Rome, with local bands and musicians invited to perform in squares and courtyards until midnight. The festival has a bit of a spontaneous feel and a program will be published here later in the month.
23 June: La Festa di San Giovanni takes place this night, with a blend of Christian and pagan traditions. The feast day falls near midsummer- which is likely to blame for the mix of religious and pagan undertones. Evening mass will be held outside of San Giovanni in Laterano.
29 June: San Pietro e San Paolo are the Patron Saints of Rome and their feast day on the 29th is a public holiday in the city.
29 June: It is also your last chance to see Ennio Morricone at the Baths of Caracalla.
Looking for more? There are my favorite summer events in Rome.
June 2018 Exhibits in Rome
Turner: The top of my must-see list for art this month is the Turner exhibit currently on show at Chiostro del Bramante. This is the first Turner show in Rome, with more than 90 artworks from the Tate in London. You can find pieces ranging from studies, to sketches and oil paintings, currently on display through 26 August 2018.
Monet: Even if you seriously procrastinated, you still have a couple of days left to catch the Monet exhibit (closing 3 June). The show at the Vittoriano has 60 pieces from Paris’ Musée Marmottan Monet.
This post will be updated as more information about special events in Rome, Italy in June 2018 is announced.