Rome events in January 2024 - Holidays, exhibits, concerts, and other things to do

Rome events in January include New Years' Day and the all-important last day of the Christmas season, January 6, the Befana.

But there are a few other fun things happening this month, as well.

blessing of the animals at the vaticanOne of my favorite happenings in January in Rome is the Blessing of the Animals at the Vatican. Find out all the events and things to do in Rome in January.

Find out all the things to see and do in Rome in January.

Rome events in January - What's happening

FREE SUNDAY IS ON FOR JANUARY 5, 2025!

In 2025, January 5 is a Sunday and the Free Sunday will be on!

Sites and museums across Italy, including the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, and many more will be open and free for everyone!

January is a great time to visit Rome for a lot of reasons, whether you are here at the beginning of the month for the holidays, or more towards the middle or end of the month for a more quiet experience.

January weather in Rome is cool, which makes it comfortable for sight-seeing.

It's also a good time to enjoy some hot Roman lunches and dinners indoors with some good wine.

Keep reading for more info about the best Rome events in January 2024:



Holidays and special dates in Rome in January

Besides the obvious holiday dates of New Year's Day and January 6, there are a few other important Rome events in January to note:

January 1 - New Years Day

January 1, New Year's Day, is a bank holiday after the festivities of New Year's Eve as well as a religious holiday.

Many shops are closed, but sites are open (except for the Vatican Museums.)

No matter what day of the week January 1 falls on, Rome is busy on the dates surrounding it and pretty much through about the first week of January.

At noon, you can head to St. Peter's Square to hear Pope Francis give the Angelus (free, lasting about 15 minutes.) 

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January 6 - Epiphany / BEFANA

January 6 marks the end of the Christmas holidays.

In some countries, including Italy, it's known as the Epiphany or as the Day of the Kings.

In Italy, it's also known as the Befana, who is an ugly but good witch who goes around bringing toys to children.

In fact, many Italian children expect to open gifts on this day as opposed to December 25.

You can enjoy the atmosphere in Piazza Navona, when there is a Christmas market.

You can also head to via della Conciliazione near the Vatican and watch a small procession of people in costume.

See Vatican events below for more.

Winter sales!

winter sales in romeOne of the most awaited Rome events in January is the beginning of winter sales, called "saldi" in Italian.

In Italy, we have big sales twice a year, once in summer and once in winter.

Look for the signs that say "Saldi."

Winter sales used to start on the first Saturday in January.

In 2024, the first day of winter sales in Rome is January 4.

The last day of winter sales is February 15, 2024.



Current exhibits and events at Rome's museums in January

The cooler fall and winter months are a great time to take in the arts and some art indoors.

Some museums stay open later on the weekends.

There are many Rome events in January at various museums around the city, including:


VRBS Roma

Capitoline Museums

VRBS ROMA

For the first time, the golden glass with the personification of the city of Rome, found during excavations for the construction of the Metro C station at Porta Metronia, will be on display.

Through July 1st 2024

Buy tickets here.


Caesar's heritage capitoline

Capitoline Museums

Caesar's heritage and the conquest of time.

A multimedia exhibition of the history of ancient Rome through the Fasti Capitolini. The Fasti Capitolini, extraordinary calendars engraved in marble, narrate the history of Rome from its origins to the dawn of the imperial age thanks to multimedia.

Through January 21, 2024

Buy tickets here.


Rediscovered fragments Capitoline

Capitoline Museums

The Rediscovered Fragment

The hand of the colossus of Constantine from the Capitoline Museums and the bronze finger from the Louvre.

Through April 28, 2026

Buy tickets here.


Jacovittissime Maxi

MAXXI

Jacovittissimevolmente -The irresistible art of humour

One hundred years after his birth, an exhibition on Jacovitti’s fantastic world and his playful, awkward and irreverent inventiveness.

Buy tickets here.

Through February 18, 2024


FIDIA EXHIBIT CAPITOLINE

Capitoline Museums, Villa Caffarelli

FIDIA

An exhibition of the works of Phidias, hailed as the greatest Greek sculptor of the classical age.

The exhibition includes around over 100  works from the 5th century BC. Many have never left Greece until now.

An extraordinary journey through the artist's life and work including archaeological finds, paintings, manuscripts, drawings, plus a multimedia installation.

Buy tickets here


EMOTION BRAMANTE

DART Chiostro del Bramante

EMOTION.

Through July 31, 2024.

Contemporary Art Tells The Story of Emotions

For more information and tickets, click here.


ESCHER EXHIBIT

Palazzo Bonaparte

The Maurits Cornelius Escher exhibit with 300 works on display in what is the "largest and most complete exhibition ever dedicated" to the Dutch graphic artist.

Through April 1, 2024.

For more information and tickets, click here.


Trame Di Luce 2024

Incanto di Luci

This incredible experience has taken over the Orto Botanico in Trastevere, where you can explore a 1.5km illuminated trail and the enchanted gardens.

runs through January 7th 2024

Book your entry tickets


The perfect 3-day itinerary in Rome

Trying to figure out how to organize your visit to Rome? I've got the perfect 3-day itinerary for first-time visitors (or those who have not been here in a while.) It works for a 2.5 day visit as well.

In my 3-day itinerary, you'll see all the major must-see Rome attractions like the Vatican, Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Spanish Steps, Castel Sant'Angelo, and much more.

And if you have more time, or want suggestions for extra/other things to do, you'll find that there too.

Visit my page with the best 3-day itinerary in Rome for first-timers.



Visit Rome's Parks and gardens

While January can be a cold month, it can still be a beautiful time to visit a park or garden in Rome, and they are all open in winter.

Rome events in January - Free things to do

If you're looking for some fun Rome events in January that are free, the below are confirmed for 2024:

capitline museums she wolf

The first Sunday of the month, Rome's Civic Museums are free for everyone.

On Sunday January 7, 2024 you can visit the Capitoline Museums, Ara Pacis, Villa Torlonia, Trajan's Market and many others for free.

For more details and booking, click the link below to visit the official site.

Advance booking is required.


sistine chapel

As of January 2022, the Vatican Museums have brought back the Free Sunday!

In 2024, the Vatican Museums will be free and open on Sunday January 28.

Expect large crowds on this day, even in January.

St. Peter's Basilica and St. Peter's Square are free and open daily.

You cannot buy tickets in advance for the Free Sunday, but you can book a tour of the museums through the Vatican.

If you don't want to book this tour, just come early.

By early I mean by 8am.

But otherwise I recommend you book your visit ahead of time and pay to go another day.



colosseum

In January 2024, the Colosseum and other state-run sites/museums will be open and free to enter on the first Sunday of the month, January 7.


Vatican events in January


vatican square in january

On January 1, you can head to St. Peter's Square for the Angelus.

At noon, Pope Francis appears in one of the windows, and address the crowds.

It's free, and lasts about 15 minutes. Expect large crowds.


inside saint peter's basilica

There will be papal masses held on January 1 (Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God), January 6 (Epiphany). 

If you want to try to get tickets to attend any of these masses, visit my page about Seeing the Pope in Rome.


befana procession

On the Befana, January 6, which is the Epiphany (Day of the Kings), you can watch a mini-procession called "Viva la Befana" along the street leading up to St. Peter's Square, Via della Conciliazione.

Starting at about 10am (but you should get there earlier for a decent viewing position), there will be a little procession, with people dressed in period costume, that will sort of re-enact the visit of the 3 Wise Men.

Great thing to do with kids!


blessing of the animals

January 17, 2024 is the celebration of Sant'Antonio Abate in St. Peter's Square. I have been and it's absolutely wonderful!

It's the "Blessing of the Animals" and many farmers bring their farm animals, but also locals bring their pets.

You will also see a big parade of officials on horseback, in all their regalia.

Outside the square, a cardinal gives a prayer and blesses the animals.

It's quite festive. When I went once, a man brought his turtle and lo and behold, the cardinal blessed it!

Nighttime things to do in Rome in January

In Rome in January the evenings can be pretty chilly and of course it gets dark early.

But that doesn't mean you cannot enjoy the city after the sun goes down! 

For nighttime tours and Rome events in January, visit Viator.


Ready to plan your trip?

Book your train

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Find your perfect place to stay in Rome.

Use Booking.com to choose between hotels, guesthouses, and self-catering apartments in neighborhoods throughout the Eternal City.

Buy your TurboPass

Purchase the convenient Turbopass and visit all of Rome's top attractions including the Colosseum, Pantheon, and Vatican.

With one handy pass, it's all included.


Rome events in January - Concerts, operas, shows


rome opera

Enjoy the opera in Rome in January, right in Rome's beautiful Teatro dell'Opera (Opera House.)


rome auditorium

At the Rome Auditorium, you can attend wonderful concerts and other events.


opera pass

Get your Rome Opera Pass to choose from a number of shows inside a scenic and suggestive setting in central Rome (locations vary).

These wonderful opera singers put on a mini-production of various operas, often in full costume.


capuchin crypt


Visit the extraordinary Capuchin Crypt, then head into the recently restored church to listen to sacred music in a gorgeous setting.

Thursday afternoons.


rooftop aperitivo and opera

Don't miss this unique opera + aperitivo on one of Rome's most amazing rooftops, the Borromini Terrace.

Combine beautiful music, with the stunning baroque setting on Piazza Navona, and a special aperitivo, to make for a fabulous evening in Rome.

There's a maximum 30 people (including an art historian guide), to keep this experience exclusive and special.

Friday evenings.


3 tenors - nessun dorma

The Three Tenors - Nessun Dorma

See the "Three Tenors" in a beautiful church setting.

You will be treated to three of Rome's most famous tenors singing some of the best-known and loved songs of Neapolitan opera, accompanied by the Mandolin Orchestra.

Music from La Traviata, Rigoletto, Tosca, and many others. 

Saturday evenings. From 25€.


rooftop and aperitivo piazza navona

Enjoy private access to one of Rome's most exclusive rooftops right on Piazza Navona, while sipping your aperitivo and listening to Italian opera classics from Verdi, Rossini, and Puccini.

Sunday evenings.

New Years DAY Concerts


Three Tenors 2024

The Three Tenors - Flaiano Theater - Via di Santo Stefano del Cacco, 15 Rome

The singers are some of Rome's most talented, and they do credit to the original Three Tenors. 

Tickets and more information here.

January 1 and 2, 2025, 9pm. 

Great for families; wheelchair accessible.

Sparkling wine after the concert is included.


new years concert with opera

Greet the new year in Rome with a beautiful lyrical concert of classic opera and concert music, performed by the renowned I Virtuosi dell'opera di Roma inside the Church of St Paul within the Walls.

Works include pieces by Puccini, Strauss, Rossini, Verdi, Mozart, and many more.

January 1, 2025. 

Great for families; wheelchair accessible.


concert in santa chiara

Opera Concert at the Palazzo Santa Chiara

Enjoy opera in the small, elegant auditorium of 17th century Palazzo Santa Chiara, known for its excellent acoustics.

Head to this hidden gem right behind the Pantheon, grab a cocktail at the intimate bar inside, then sit back and enjoy some beautiful music.

In January 2025, 7:30 PM


arias concert

"The Most Beautiful Opera Arias" Concert

Immerse yourself in Italian opera and enjoy compositions by famous composers such as Puccini, Bellini, and Mascagni.

This intimate concert is held in the Ponte Sant Angelo Methodist Church, a venue with exceptional acoustics just across from Castel Sant'Angelo.

For more concerts and music Rome events in January, click here.

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Tours to take in Rome in January

January can be really busy in the first part of the month.

So booking a tour is a good way to make sure you get tickets to the sites you want to visit, and also get to enjoy them without fighting the crowds too much.

And even if it's not too crowded, a tour is a great way to see the sights and get to know a bit about them as you go.

For tours to take in January, start here:

Day trips to take in Rome in January

January is a wonderful time to take a day trip, especially if you want to try some food/wine ventures outside Rome.

We have lots of options for places to visit which you can easily reach within 1-2 hours of Rome.

For organized day trips, visit Get Your Guide.

Activities with kids in Rome in January

Whether you are visiting Rome in January for the holidays or just for a short getaway, if you are coming with kids, there are plenty of tours and activities in Rome geared to children of all ages. 

If you're looking for some fun activities with kids, start here:

I've listed some of what I think are the most fun and interesting Rome events in January, and most central.

For a complete list of Rome events in January, visit the website of the Rome Tourist Board.

rome auditorium

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