What To Do in Rome in April
Spring is in full swing as the Eternal City prepares for Easter and festive celebrations. The city comes alive with colorful markets, and the Pope leads the faithful in prayer and procession on Good Friday.
Spring is in full swing as the Eternal City prepares for Easter and festive celebrations. The city comes alive with colorful markets, and the Pope leads the faithful in prayer and procession on Good Friday.
April brings warmer weather and a lively spirit to Rome, as visitors and locals alike enjoy the beauty of spring. As the heart of the Catholic Church, Rome is a truly special place to experience the Easter season, filled with solemn processions and joyful celebrations. Later in the month, the city marks its birthday with free admission to museums and festive parades through the streets. Here are some of the top events to enjoy in Rome this April!
18 April 2025
On Good Friday, Pope Francis leads the faithful in the solemn Via Crucis, or Stations of the Cross, one of Rome's most moving Easter traditions. The torchlit procession begins at 9pm at the Colosseum, beautifully illuminated for the occasion, and continues through 14 stations, with reflections and prayers at each stop, and concluding at the final station atop Palatine Hill. Please note that the Colosseum closes early in the afternoon to prepare for the event. It's a powerful experience for visitors to witness in the heart of the Eternal City.
19 - 20 April 2025
Easter weekend in Rome is one of the most meaningful and beautiful times to visit the Eternal City. On Holy Saturday, visitors can attend the solemn Easter Vigil Mass in St. Peter's Basilica, a moving celebration that begins in darkness and ends in joyful candlelight, symbolizing the resurrection.
On Easter Sunday, the Pope celebrates Mass in St. Peter's Square at 10am, followed by the traditional Urbi et Orbi blessing to the city and the world at noon. The square is filled with flowers and pilgrims from around the globe, creating a vibrant and unforgettable atmosphere. For those who cannot attend in person, the event is broadcast worldwide. It's recommended to arrive very early and secure free tickets in advance through official Vatican channels.
Website: https://www.thevaticantickets.com/vatican-easter-mass/
21 April 2025
First founded on the banks of the Tiber in 753 BC, Rome celebrates its birthday each year with parades, performances and historical reenactments. The Gruppo Storico Romano brings ancient history to life in the streets around Via dei Fori Imperiali, the Capitoline and Pantheon Square, offering demonstrations and workshops. Starting from April 18, an educational camp at the Circus Maximus welcomes history enthusiasts, who are then invited to join the grand parade on April 21 in full historical costume. The festivities also include exciting gladiator battles, with teams from schools across Italy competing in the Circus Maximus. It's a joyful and fascinating tribute to Rome's legendary past. Find out more details on their website.
Close by, inside the Pantheon, a remarkable phenomenon takes place as the midday sunlight falls through the oculus and perfectly illuminates the entrance door - a moment that has occurred annually since its construction in the 2nd century. If you'd like to witness this unique once-a-year event, be sure to purchase tickets well in advance.
Throughout Rome, the city museums celebrate with special events, workshops, guided tours and free admission to select exhibitions from April 19 to 22. You can find a full schedule of events on their website.
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