What’s on in Rome this month?

November is the rainiest month in Rome, and it’s when the winter weather starts to kick in, leaving behind the warm afternoons of October.

But this doesn’t mean that it’s not a good time to visit Rome. The offer of events and exhibitions is still rich. Here is our selection of things to do in Rome in November 2023, both outdoors, indoors and also by night!

Things to do in Rome in November 2023

Special opening in Santa Maria dell’Orazione e Morte and its crypt – November 1st

This incredible place has been closed for about 7 years due to restoration. And now it is time to start visiting this gem again!

What better occasion to do so that November, the month dedicated to the dead? This church was run by a confraternity who took care of the dead bodies found in the streets, and gave them an honorable burial. Today you can visit the crypt, which is only a small part of this cemetery. A crypt decorated with real bones of real people!

On November 1st from 6:30PM to 8PM there will be a guided visit of the church and crypt, run by the nuns of the confraternity, including a music performance of the incredible organ of the church.

Free entrance, limited spaces. Address: via Giulia 262

Procession of the Sacconi Rossi brotherhood at the Tiber Island – November 2nd

On November 2nd, the Day of the Dead, on the Tiber Island you’ll be able to join the procession of the Sacconi Rossi brotherhood. What is it?

The Sacconi Rossi were a confraternity characterized by their dinstinctive red hoods. This confraternity was born in 1700s and established their headquarter on the Tiber Island, where they are still today. And where their crypt is!

The Sacconi Rossi used to bury their confraternity members in the crypt below their headquarter. Additionally, on occasion of the Day of the Dead on November 2nd, they also used to collect the dead bodies they found in the Tiber river and leave them along the banks of the river until their family members would recognize them.

This procession still happens today (without the collection of the bodies, of course!) on November 2nd and it starts at 5:30PM in the church of San Giovanni Calibita (right next to the pharmacy) which is open only on this day during the year.

The members of the confraternity wear their red hoods and you can follow them walking down the banks of the Tiber river with candles while praying for the dead.

Exhibition “Cento Pittori Via Margutta”

From October 28th to November 1st there will be the 120th exhibition of the 100 painters of via Margutta. This beautiful street is few steps away from Spanish Steps and this exhibit is one of the most traditional things to do in Rome this November. Via Margutta is also known as the “street of the artists” and its picturesque landscape houses many small shops of marble artisans, painters, collectors, tapestries and so on.

During these four days, painters will showcase their works in the beautiful street of via Margutta. Entry is free.

Escher exhibition in Palazzo Bonaparte

From October 31st 2023 until April 1st 2024, Palazzo Bonaparte hosts the biggest exhibition ever made on Escher, with more than 300 of his artworks! 🤩

Escher was a Dutch graphic designer who moved to Rome 100 years ago. He lived in Rome for about 12 years. And it’s in his Roman house in the Monteverde neighborhood that he made one of his most famous artworks, the Hand with Reflecting Sphere (see pic above)

The exhibition will take place in Palazzo Bonaparte, which used to be the residence of Napoleon’s mother in Rome.

Website: https://www.mostrepalazzobonaparte.it/mostra-escher.php

Fabulous Calvino exhibition

Who is Italo Calvino?

He is one of most famous Italian writers, and this year he would have turned 100 years old. He has been one of the most translated Italian artists of his time.

Calvino was a journalist, he wrote novels and short-stories, many of them being whimsical and imaginative fables. The baron that decided to live on a tree, the viscount that is cut in two halves by a cannon ball and becomes half good and half bad, and other fairytales.

“Fairytales are real” he said, “they are, all together, an explanation of life which was born in ancient times“.

This year Calvino would have turned 100 years old. For this occasion a fabulous exhibition was inaugurated at the Scuderie del Quirinale. You can learn about Calvino and his works and get lost in the whimsical journeys across reality and fantasy.

And maybe start reading one of his books. We recommend trying the Ancestor’s Trilogy (Baron of the Trees, Nonexistent Knight and the Clover Viscount)

You can visit this exhibition until February 2nd, 2024. More info and tickets: https://scuderiequirinale.it/en/exhibition/favoloso-calvino/

“Helmut Newton Legacy” exhibition

If you’ve never heard of this photographer, you better find out who he was right now, because you’re missing out on one of the biggest innovators in fashion photography. And some of the coolest pictures ever!

Helmut Newton changed the rules of the fashion photography by adding storytelling, naked portraits, optical illusions and crime scenes. And he experimented so while shooting for Vogue, Yves Saint Laurent, Bulgari, with David Bowie, Rolling Stones, Cindy Crawford, Monica Bellucci.

Such an important piece of history in photography that  you will find below the Ara Pacis until March 2024.

More info and tickets: https://mostrahelmutnewton.it/en/

Museums in Music – November 25th

On November 25th many museums in Rome will be open until late at night (from 8pm until 2am) and host music performances, concerts and live shows among the exhibitions and artworks.

Among the museums which will participate there are the Musei Capitolini, Centrale Montemartini, Mercati di Traiano, Museo di Roma in Piazza Navona, Museo Napoleonico and more.

Museum of Dreamers

Museum of dreamers is an immersive exhibition dedicated to the dreamlike world. It consists in 21 installations of great visual impact and it will run until January 28th at the PratiBus district.

For info and tickets: https://museumofdreamers.com/#pll_switcher

Notte Bianca at Villa Medici – November 23rd

On Thursday, November 28th from 6pm until midnight, in Villa Medici (Academy of France), there will be the Notte Bianca. Literally the “white night”, this will be a special evening opening where the scholars of the academy will showcase their work.

Free entrance, booking is required here: https://www.ticketlandia.com/m/event/notte-bianca-villa-medici-it

Roma Arte in Nuvola – November 24-26

Roma Arte in Nuvola is the international fair of modern and contemporary art. This fair will include many different art disciplines such as painting, installations, sculpture, performances, video art, digital art and street art. 

There will be over 150 galleries from all over the world participating in this event!

The event will take place in “La Nuvola” convention center in the EUR district from 10:30AM until 8:30PM from November 24th to 26th.

More info and tickets here: https://romaarteinnuvola.eu/

Live a unique experience with us!

If you want to make your November Rome trip special and looking for something fun, unique, personal… you’re in the right place!

Our in person experiences grew from the legacy of our media content online, meaning that we focus on discovering the authentic side of Rome. We won’t dwell on academic frills, only on insider’s knowledge with the fun storytelling of a local expert. Our experiences include the hidden gems of Rome, underground sites and a super local street food tour. You can find them all here!