If there’s one thing I’ve learned after living in Rome for more than ten years, it’s that April has a way of waking the city up. Not in some poetic “springtime in the air” kind of way—but in the real, buzzing, street-full-of-life kind of way. The piazzas stay lighter later, the artichokes are still in season (trust me, that matters), and the calendar fills up with events that only happen once a year.
April isn’t the time to tick off the usual tourist checklist. It’s when Rome celebrates its birthday, hosts niche festivals, re-starts open-air concerts, and locals are soaking up the first rays of warm sunshine.
Rome is magic in spring. So if you’re in the city this month—or planning to be—here are 18 things happening in April 2025 in Rome. Some are grand, some are weirdly specific, but all are uniquely Roman. Here we go:
April 2025 Events in Rome
April 1: April Fools! Or as it is known in Italy – pesce d’aprile. The main joke is to try to secretly tape a little fish onto the back of an unsuspecting friend. If you prefer, you can use these jokes about Rome any day.
April 2–6: Rendez-Vous French Film Festival: Cinema enthusiasts will appreciate this festival dedicated to contemporary French cinema, held at the Cinema Nuovo Sacher. It’s an excellent opportunity to explore diverse narratives and engage with filmmakers.
April 6: Carbonara Day. Perhaps my favorite unofficial holiday, this is a worldwide day of celebration of the king of Roman pastas. Here is where to eat the best pasta in Rome, as well as the carbonara recipe from Roscioli.
April 7: Jubilee Pilgrimage Begins: The true kickoff of the 2025 Holy Year, attracting millions of pilgrims to Rome for a year-long series of religious events.
April 7-10: Royal Visit: King Charles III and Queen Camilla are scheduled to visit Rome so keep an eye out for some very famous sight-seers.
April 11-21: Virtual Easter Egg hunt: IKONO Roma is hosting an augmented reality Easter egg hunt until 21 April, inside its immersive exhibition. My kids were very into it.
Mid-April to Mid-May: Spanish Steps in bloom: The date is yet to be released but from mid-month, the Spanish Steps will be decorated with gorgeous pots of azaleas in full bloom. The monumental staircase is always impressive, but these are the short weeks of the year when they are at their absolute best.
April 18: Good Friday and the Stations of the Cross: With the Vatican literally inside the city limits, Good Friday is a big deal in Rome. The main event is the Via Crucis – or the Stations of the Cross – led by the Pope (assuming good health) at the Colosseum at 9 pm. The event is always widely televised if you can’t be there in person.
April 20: Easter Celebrations: Attend special Masses and processions marking Easter Sunday, including the Pope’s traditional “Urbi et Orbi” blessing. For the secular celebration -which is always a long meal – make sure you have your Colomba (Easter cake) ready.
April 21: Pasquetta: Many people have heard of Good Friday, but in Italy, Easter Monday is also a holiday. It is known as ‘little Easter’ and is a holiday usually spent with friends, picnicking in the countryside.
April 21: Natale di Roma (Rome’s Birthday): Celebrate Rome’s 2,778th anniversary with a weekend of art, culture, and festivities, including parades, fireworks, and free access to city (municipal) museums.
April 21: Rome’s Rose Garden Opening: Coinciding with the city’s birthday, the Roseto Comunale opens its gates, showcasing a stunning collection of roses from around the world. It’s a fragrant oasis offering panoramic views of the city.
April 25: Liberation Day: This is a national holiday that commemorates Italy’s liberation from Nazi occupation with parades, concerts, and fireworks across the city. Expect businesses (and all public offices) to close.
Art Exhibits in Rome
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December 3 (2024) – April 27: Last chance to catch “Il Tempo del Futurismo” at Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna exploring the Futurism movement and its impact on modern art. The exhibition includes works from various artists associated with the movement, offering insights into its revolutionary approach to art and culture.
- February 11 – June 2: Munch: The Inner Scream Exhibition – A major exhibition marking the 80th anniversary of Edvard Munch’s death, featuring 100 paintings, drawings, and prints at Palazzo Bonaparte.
- 14 February – 14 September: Flowers. Art from the Renaissance to Artificial Intelligence. Over 90 artworks and two sensory experiences (that even kids will love), the exhibit at Chiostro Bramante celebrates the naturally fragile and symbolically powerful theme of flowers.
- 27 February – 29 June: Picasso Lo Straniero – More than 100 works by Picasso, alongside photos, letters, and documents on display at Palazzo Cipolla.
- 7 March – 6 July: Caravaggio 2025 – A exhibit of the master of light’s major themes, both the sacred and the profane. The exhibit at Palazzo Barberini includes rarely seen works from a private collection as well as loans from national collections across Europe.
