Tourists strive to the Eternal City not only for the sake of sights and historical ruins. Travelers choose special dates and book flights to see the holidays in Rome, to participate in colorful festivals, carnivals and theatrical performances, many of which reproduce long historical traditions and customs.
Let's take a look at the calendar
Among the important dates in the list of Roman holidays, there are many traditional ones for other European countries:
- Rome's favorite winter holiday is undoubtedly Christmas. It is traditionally celebrated with the family at a generously set table, exchanging gifts. But it is customary to celebrate the New Year on the streets and squares, amicably counting the beats of the clock and saluting with champagne. At the end of the year, the Romans often throw old rubbish right out of the windows, making way for new luck and happiness.
- Palm Sunday is the last before Easter. Religious Italians celebrate these two holidays in churches.
- Labor Day, as elsewhere in the Old World, comes on May 1, Mother's Day on the second Sunday in May, and All Saints Day on November 1.
Black cats and good witches
Among the extensive list of holidays in Rome, two are especially popular with lovers of magic, sorcery and otherworldly phenomena.
On January 6, the city takes a break from the labors of the righteous due to the feast of the Epiphany, the symbol of which is considered the good witch Befana. According to local beliefs, she goes down to the houses through the chimney and leaves gifts for obedient children in special socks by the fireplace. Fidgets and mischievous people get only "coals" from black sugar. The main features of the holiday are figurines of witches everywhere and a festival-carnival atmosphere on the streets that have not yet cooled down from the New Year's festivities. Children are delighted to ride on a traditional carousel installed in many streets of the capital, while adults taste sandwiches with traditional pork porketta.
In November, it is the turn of the Day of Black Cats, for which the Italians have invented a special holiday to protect them from superstitious citizens. On November 17, fundraising events for animal shelters, charity fairs and sales take place across Italy.
Roman carnival
It is inferior to the Venetian one in entertainment and colorfulness, but its participants also have enough positive emotions and a festive mood. Carnival in Rome begins shortly before the onset of Lent and its main features are people in medieval masks and costumes, bright carts, the smell of crispy brushwood, which is fried right on the streets, and theatrical performances right on the streets and squares.
Anytime
You can get to a holiday in Rome at any time of the year, and the degree of fun does not depend on the air temperature or the amount of clouds in the sky. The Wine Festival in October and St. John's Day in June, April Fool's Day and All Lovers' Day - February 14 are equally loved and expected by both the Romans and the guests of the Eternal City.
