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Rome events in March 2024 - Holidays, exhibits, concerts, and other things to do
Rome events in March include International Women's Day, the Feast Day of Santa Francesca Romana, Father's Day (Festa di San Giuseppe), and more!
One of my favorite March happenings in Rome is on March 9, the feast day of Santa Francesca Romana - the one day a year you can visit this stunning convent dedicated to her.March always feels to me like the real beginning of the busy tourist season.
There is always so much going on!
Check it out here:
Rome events in March 2024 - What's happening
March is a great time to visit Rome for a lot of reasons, whether you're hoping to come in a slightly quieter season, are on a school holiday, or are looking forward to seeing Rome right before spring comes into full bloom.
March weather in Rome is still fairly 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.
It also occasionally includes the Easter festivities.
Keep reading for more info about the best Rome events in March 2024:
- Holidays in Rome in March
- Current exhibits at Rome's museums
- Sports/sporting events in Rome in March
- Vatican events in March
- Free things to do in Rome in March
- Nighttime things to do in Rome in March
- Concerts and operas in Rome in March
- Tours to take in Rome in March
- Day trips to take in Rome in March
- Things to do with kids in Rome in March
Holidays and special dates in Rome in March
Special dates in March in Rome include International Women's Day, the Feast Day of Saint Frances of Rome, Father's Day, and more.
March 2 - day of the catacombs
On Saturday March 2 the spring edition of the Day of the Catacombs is running, when the seven Roman catacombs open to the public will be open for free visits.
There will also be special tours and activities to take part in.
While entrance is free, booking is necessary - find out more details on our dedicated catacombs page!
💀 Discover the secrets of Rome's catacombs and most famous crypt 💀
Venture into ancient catacombs where early Christians found refuge, walk along the historic Appian Way, and brace yourself for the eerie Capuchin crypt—a unique reminder of life's fragility, adorned with monks' bones.
With comfortable minibus transport, this is a memorable dive into Rome’s mysterious past.
March 8 - International Women's Day
International Women's Day is a major international holiday around the world (for some reason that escapes me, it's barely heard of in the U.S.).
In early March, expect to see bouquets of mimosa flowers for sale around Rome. You can buy them for yourself or for the women in your life to commemorate International Women's Day.Although it's not a bank holiday, it's still widely recognized.
The tradition is to give some mimosa flowers to the women in your life.
In early March, you will see a lot of these flowers for sale in Rome.
On this day, all of Rome's CIVIC museums are free for women.
This includes the Capitoline Museums, Trajan's Market, the Ara Pacis, Palazzo Braschi, and many more.
March 9 - Feast Day of Saint Frances of Rome
Saint Frances (1378-1440) founded an order called the Olivetan Oblates of Mary, and eventually the Tor de' Specchi monastery, right near Capitoline Hill.
One of the most special things to do in March is the one-day opening of the convent of Tor de' Specchi, where you can see these stunning frescoes by Antoniazzo Romano.The monastery is only open on March 9 each year, the anniversary of the death of the saint.
It's free to visit but you will find a line and some crowds.
If you are on Rome on this day, I highly recommend visiting this site.
The frescoes are stunningly beautiful.
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March 15 - The Ides of March
On this day in 44 BCE, Julius Caesar was assassinated in the heart of Rome, by his friends and colleagues in the Roman Senate, who were concerned about his growing power.
This act marked a major shift in ancient Rome, leading to a civil war which the first emperor Augustus won.
The ruins at Largo Argentina mark the spot where on the Ides of March, March 15, 44 BCE, Julius Caesar was assassinated. One of the more unusual Rome events in March is the re-enactment of this episode on this spot.Because it was such a significant event, to this day Romans remember the Ides of March.
There is a re-enactment of the assassination in the ruins at Largo Argentina on March 15 - this is where it actually happened, not in the Roman Forum!
March 17 - Saint Patrick's Day
In recent years, in honor of Saint Patrick's Day, March 17, Tourism Ireland lit up the Colosseum in green.
One of the most unusual Rome events in March is watching the Colosseum turn green on Saint Patrick's Day.This was part of their #globalgreening initiative.
They didn't do it in 2024, so this may not happen again, but I thought I'd leave this photo here, since it's pretty cool to see the Colosseum in green!
March 19 - Father's Day
March 19th is Father's Day in Italy.
In Italian it's called La Festa di San Giuseppe.
Giuseppe is Italian for Joseph and of course, Father's Day here is named for the one of the most famous fathers, at least in Catholic history.
If you have a sweet tooth, one of the best Rome events in March for you will be La Festa di San Giuseppe, Father's Day. You will find these scrumptious bignès at pastry shops and cafés all around Rome in March.Why is this important if you're visiting Rome in March?
Because you will want to load up on some bignè di San Giuseppe, which are pastry bombs filled with cream.
A must!
As March 19 is a Christian holiday, St. Joseph's Day, the Vatican Museums will be closed on this day.
No matter what season you visit Rome, here are 4 essential things we recommend never leaving home without:
Disclosure: If you make a purchase through a link on this page, I may receive a small commission - at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my site!
Last weekend of March - Daylight saving Time begins
The last Sunday of March is the beginning of Daylight Saving Time in Europe (this date differs from the U.S. and some other parts of the world).
We move the clocks forward and LOSE one hour.
In 2024, we set our clocks ahead on the night of Saturday March 30 for the time change at 2:00 AM on March 31.
Don't forget to turn your clock AHEAD by one hour on the last weekend in March!Be aware of this if you have any Sunday morning plans like a tour or flight.
Rome Marathon
The Rome Marathon, usually held around either the last Sunday in March or first Sunday in April, will be held on Sunday March 17, 2024.
This really won't affect you much unless you run the marathon, or are staying or planning any cultural visits near the route.
For more info, visit the official website of the Rome Marathon.
Current exhibits and events at Rome's museums in March
The cooler winter months are a great time to take in the arts indoors.
Keep in mind that some museums stay open later on the weekends.
Here are some of the best events in March at various museums around the city:
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
Capitoline Museums, Villa Caffarelli
FIDIA
Through May 5, 2024
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.
MAXXI
Jannis Kounellis - Notte
Through April 30, 2024
A tribute to an artist who radically changed the relationship between works and the beholder.
The project focuses on Jannis Kounellis’ research and its profound connection with theatre and performative actions.
DART Chiostro del Bramante
EMOTION.
Through July 31, 2024.
Contemporary Art Tells The Story of Emotions
For more information and tickets, click here.
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.
Villa Torlonia
In the name of Cambellotti.
Virgilio Retrosi artist and craftsman
In the Villa Torlonia museum this exhibition is dedicated to Virgilio Retrosi (Rome 1892-1975).
A collections from the Museum of Rome with the 14 plates dedicated to the historic districts of Rome.
Runs through June 2, 2024
Discover more details and how to book your tickets, book here.
There are a lot of smaller exhibitions in March.
To see a complete list of them, visit this page of the Rome Tourist Board where you can filter to see all the events happening in Rome in March, or drill down further by category such as dance, music, etc.
Sport/sporting Rome events in March
The Roma-Ostia Half Marathon will take place on Sunday, March 3, 2024
The race goes from Roma EUR – Palalottomatica to the Piazzale Cristoforo Colombo roundabout in Ostia.
The annual Rome Marathon, will take place on Sunday, March 17, 2024.
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.
Vatican Events in March
When the Pope is in town, you can attend the Wednesday Papal Audience, or watch the pope give the Angelus in St. Peter's Square on Sunday.
Both are free.
For the Papal Audience, you need tickets. For the Angelus, you don't.
March 19, 2024 is Father's Day, and a Catholic Holiday (Festa di San Giuseppe), so the Vatican Museums are closed this day.
This does not affect the opening hours of St. Peter's Basilica, or Vatican Square, which are both open and free.
Visit Rome's Parks and gardens
While March can still be a chilly month, it can still be a beautiful time to visit a park or garden in Rome, especially towards the end of March when flowers start blooming.
Rome events in March - Free things to do
If you're looking for some fun free things to do in March, the below are confirmed for 2024:
Rome's civic museums, including the Capitoline museums, Trajan's Market, Ara Pacis and others are offering free admission to women on March 8, 2024 in honor of International Women's Day.
The first Sunday of the month, Rome's Civic Museums are free for everyone.
On Sunday, March 3, 2024, you can visit the Capitoline Museums, Ara Pacis, Villa Torlonia, Trajan's Market and many others for free.
In 2024 the Vatican Museums are free and open the last Sunday of the month, except for March.
This year Easter falls on Sunday, March 31 and so the Museum will NOT be open on this day.
Normally you can expect large crowds on this day.
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.
In March 2024, the Colosseum will be free to enter on Sunday, March 3.
You can expect the Colosseum to be pretty much a mob scene.
I'd highly recommend visiting one of the other sites that is also free on this day, like the Roman Forum/Palatine Hill, or Ostia Antica.
Nighttime things to do in Rome in March
In Rome in March the evenings can be colder than you might think.
Most of March is still winter!
And while it's still too early in the season for Colosseum night visits, you can still enjoy the city after the sun goes down.
There is one nighttime visit that begins in March, and that is the Vatican Museums.
As of 2024, from early March, the Vatican Museums stay open until 8 PM on Friday and Saturday nights, and this can be a really wonderful way to enjoy a much quieter and more relaxed way to visit these museums.
For more nighttime tours and Rome events in March, visit Viator.
Ready to plan your trip?
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With one handy pass, it's all included.
Rome events in March - Concerts, operas, shows
Disclosure : If you make a purchase through a link on this page, I may receive a small commission - at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my site!
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.
Visit the extraordinary Capuchin Crypt, then head into the recently restored church to listen to sacred music in a gorgeous setting.
Thursday afternoons.
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.
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€.
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.
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.
Wednesday evenings. From 25€.
Visit our dedicated page about concerts in Rome for more options.
Tours to take in Rome in March
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 more tours to take in March, start here:
Day trips to take in Rome in March
March 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 March
Whether you are visiting Rome in March 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 March, and most central.
For a complete list of Rome events in March, visit the website of the Rome Tourist Board.
Romewise's Top Travel Resources
Ready to book your trip to Rome? Take a look at these helpful links to companies we use and trust:
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- Browse a huge range of tours in Rome and beyond
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- Protect yourself with comprehensive travel insurance
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