Summer festivals in Rome: what’s on and what’s hot!

If you’re visiting right now or planning to come to Rome at any point of the summer, you’ll probably be vaguely aware of the Estate romana, the set of events taking place – mostly in the open – in the city for the next three months or so. Imagine theatre plays, markets, exhibitions, movie showings, book presentations and, most of all, live concerts! This post will focus on the latter, with an overview on those summer festivals that are already confirmed and taking place as we speak.

Concerts at the Circus Maximus

It is not a festival per se, but like every year the basin at the foot of the Palatine Hill will host some top-notch events, suitable for all tastes. The fun started with a double gig by Italy’s rock godfather, Vasco Rossi, but everyone is waiting with bated breath for Maneskin on July 9. The Italian former Eurocontest winners will be followed by Ultimo, on the 17th of the same month. The summer at the Circus Maximus will end with four concerts by Roman icon Renato Zero: on September 23 /24/25/ 30.

Concerti nel Parco – Casa del Jazz

Fondazione Musica per Roma, also managing the Auditorium Parco della Musica, has set a calendar of live events in this amazing setting, which famously belonged to a local crime don and has been seized and repurposed as a music centre complete with recording studios and a restaurant. In addition to such legends as Roscoe Mitchell, Danilo Rea, Paolo Fresu or Enrico Rava, watch out for concerts by artists whose sensitivity does not clash with the mission of this place: Vinicio Capossela, Simone Cristicchi (in a tribute to Franco Battiato), Suzanne Vega…

Villa Ada Festival

One of the most atmospheric events in Rome’s summer, with its stage traditionally set up on the small island in the middle of the pond in the middle of this city park. The program is expected to be very long, with concerts almost every night, with a focus on Italian alternative music but no shortage of international artists.

The season at Caracalla

The ancient spa complex right next to the Circus Maximus is once again the setting for the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma’s summer events, which as is tradition also include concerts that have nothing to do with the world of opera. Watch out for exhibitions by Roberto Bolle, plus Leonard Bernstein’s “Mass”, Gioachino Rossini‘s ‘The Barber of Seville’, Georges Bizet’s “Carmen”, and the ballet from “Notre-Dame de Paris” by Roland Petit.

Rock in Roma – Ippodromo delle Capannelle

The festival par excellence for those who like rock and alternative sounds, again alternating Italian and international names: from La Rappresentante di Lista to Madame, from Achille Lauro to the return of The Chemical Brothers. This year, a traditional coupling is broken: the well-known Latin American music and culture festival Fiesta, historically held in the same spaces as the Ippodromo delle Capannelle, has moved to the EUR district, to the Parco delle Tre Fontane.

Roma Summer Fest – Auditorium Parco della Musica

Once upon a time this massive festival used to be called “Luglio suona bene” (“July sounds good”), but the calendar now starts in June and extends to the month of August. Skunk Anansie, LP, Smile (Thom Yorke’s new band), Ben Harper, but also Italian giants such as Paolo Conte, Mahmood or Carmen Consoli. The fascinating setting for these live gigs is the Auditorium’s Cavea in the Flaminio district.

Summer concerts do not end here!

These are only some of the major city festivals: other events will take place in the Eternal City parks such as Parco Schuster, Parco Talenti or Parco delle Valli (Conca d’Oro). And let’s not forget the return of Jovanotti’s Jova Beach Party, back in Ladispoli (on the coast north of Rome) in July.

Events are also not limited to the standard summer months: the much-loved Spring Attitude, despite its name, will take place this year in Cinecittà Studios in mid-September!