What’s On in Rome in September 2025: Festivals, Concerts and Cultural Highlights

As September unfolds, Rome transforms into a vibrant stage where flavors, sounds, and ideas from around the world converge. Each festival and performance offers a unique way to experience the city: savoring cod delicacies in Garbatella, discovering the future of art and technology, or listening to jazz beneath the timeless arches of the Colosseum. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, immersing yourself in these events is one of the most rewarding ways to connect with the Eternal City. Plan ahead, secure your tickets, and let Rome in September 2025 surprise you at every turn!

Romaeuropa Festival

The 40th edition of Rome’s leading festival of contemporary arts brings together theater, dance, music, cinema, and digital media in a sprawling, citywide celebration of creativity. Featuring over 110 projects and performances by around 700 artists, this edition kicks off with a striking opening by Ballet Nacional de España and Marcos Morau, inviting audiences to explore bold, cross-disciplinary works across 11 unique venues.

Dates: September 4 – November 16, 2025
Where: Venues include Teatro dell’Opera, MAXXI, Mattatoio, Auditorium Parco della Musica, Villa Medici, and more
Price: Varies per event—check the official program for details
Highlights: Eclectic performances blending tradition and experimentation across iconic Roman venues
Official Website: romaeuropa.net

Sagra del Pesce Fritto e Baccalà (Fried Fish & Cod Festival)

Held at Eataly Roma Ostiense, this open-air street food festival serves up fried fish, baccalà, and creative seafood dishes alongside craft beer, wine, and cocktails, all set to a lively nighttime ambiance.

Dates: September 4–7, 2025 (evenings)
Where: Piazzale XII Ottobre 1492, Ostiense, easily reached via Metro B or tram/bus
Price: Free entry; food and drinks via token purchases (~€2 each)
Highlights: Casual, delicious, atmospheric seafood feasting under the stars
Official Info: Eataly festival page

Short Theatre Festival

In its 20th year, this festival champions avant-garde performing arts, featuring a robust program of theater, multimedia installations, workshops, and music. It invites both creators and audiences to reimagine shared cultural spaces.

Dates: September 5–14, 2025
Where: Mattatoio (Testaccio) and other venues like Teatro India and Palazzo dei Congressi
Price: Passes vary by number of shows; consult the official site
Highlights: Bold, experimental works and immersive artistic encounters
Official Website: shorttheatre.org

Vinòforum

Rome’s premier wine and gastronomic expo returns with a “Premium Edition” at Piazza di Siena, Villa Borghese, inviting guests to indulge in tastings, masterclasses, and gourmet experiences from dozens of top wineries and chefs.

Dates: September 8–14, 2025
Where: Piazza di Siena, Villa Borghese
Price: Around €22 for standard entry (glass and tastings included); premium options available
Highlights: 800+ wineries, Wine Top Tastings, and curated culinary experiences in a lush setting
Official Website: lospaziodelgusto.it/Vinòforum

Roma Summer Fest

A cornerstone summer music series held in the Cavea of Auditorium Parco della Musica, Roma Summer Fest brings world-class artists across genres to Rome’s most atmospheric venue.

Dates: Until September 21, 2025
Where: Auditorium Parco della Musica (Viale Pietro de Coubertin 30)
Price: Varies by performance
Highlights: A lineup of international and Italian talent staged in a spectacular outdoor amphitheater
Official Festival Page: auditorium.com – Rome Summer Fest 2025

Ostia Antica Festival

Cultural performances are staged in the evocative setting of the ancient Teatro di Ostia Antica—a powerful setting where history and contemporary art converge.

Dates: June 22 – September 11, 2025
Where: Teatro di Ostia Antica, accessible by train from Roma Termini
Price: Varies per event (e.g., around €28.75 per ticket for some shows)
Highlights: A blend of site-specific performances amid Roman ruins
Official Website: ostiaanticafestival.it

Villa Medici Film Festival

Now in its 5th edition, this festival offers nearly 40 screenings of narrative and experimental films—indoors and en plein air—complemented by artist talks in the elegant surroundings of Villa Medici.

Dates: September 10–14, 2025
Where: Villa Medici (near Spanish Steps)
Price: Festival Pass €25 (full) / €20 (reduced); 3‑films Pass €9 / €6
Highlights: Cinema that bridges contemporary art and historic architecture
Official Website: villamedici.it

Spring Attitude Festival

Rome’s signature electronic music festival, featuring DJ sets, multimedia shows, and pop-up parties across clubs and venues citywide.

Dates: September 12–13, 2025
Where: La Nuvola (EUR district) and other nightlife venues
Price: Full passes from approximately €85
Highlights: Dynamic electronic performances in trendy, immersive environments
Official Website: springattitude.it

Rome Future Week

A large-scale festival of innovation, featuring hundreds of events across technological, cultural, and social disciplines—from AI to sustainability. It connects the creative, academic, and civic sectors across Rome.

Dates: September 15–21, 2025
Where: Over 160 venues, including museums, labs, and cultural centers
Price: Mostly free; select events by registration
Highlights: Hands-on talks, workshops, and exhibitions imagining tomorrow’s world

Roma Baccalà

A community-centered festival celebrating salt cod in creative and traditional forms in Garbatella’s Parco Schuster, complete with cooking demos and neighborhood flair.

Dates: September 18–21, 2025
Where: Parco Schuster, Garbatella (near Basilica San Paolo Fuori le Mura)
Price: Free entry
Highlights: Artisan cod dishes and neighborhood charm in a welcoming setting
Official Website: romabaccala.it

Dissonanze – 25 Years Celebration

This anniversary edition honors a legacy of electronic and multimedia arts with immersive performances, visual installations, and DJ sets in the Auditorium’s striking spaces.

Dates: September 20–21, 2025
Where: Auditorium Parco della Musica – Cavea & domes
Price: Tickets available via TicketOne (details on official page)
Highlights: A vibrant cross-section of digital creativity and sound, celebrating 25 years
Official Info: auditorium.com – Dissonanze festival

Jazz & Image: Colosseum Festival

A fusion of live jazz and cinematic visuals set against the grandeur of the Colosseum, this festival crafts a singular sensory narrative of sound and image.

Dates: July 28 – October 15, 2025
Where: Parco del Celio (close to the Colosseum)
Price: Not yet specified
Highlights: Intimate jazz performance enriched with visual storytelling under historic skies