What’s on in Rome this month?
October is one of the best months to visit Rome. Temperature starts to drop, but a blue sky day can still give you that summer warmth on the hottest hours of the day.
That is why in October we have what we call the “Ottobrate Romane”, which are day trips, or picnics in the Roman countryside (or in the Rome city parks) where the Romans take advantage of the beautiful warm days that October brings.
This October 2026 is full of things to do and see in Rome, including glamorous red carpets, comic festivals and scenographic runs!
Without wasting a lot of time, let’s dive into these super exciting new things to explore in the city!
Things to do in Rome in October 2026
Romics – International festival of comics, animations, cinema and gaming – October 1st to 4th
This is a great exhibition that takes place every year since 2001, dedicated to comics, animation, cinema and gaming.
If you are into one of those things, or if you just love being surrounded by high levels of creativity, this is an event you can’t miss!
It’s four days of shows, exhibits, conferences, previews and Cosplays contests (“cosplay” stands for “costume play”).
The 34th edition of Romics will take place from October 1st to October 4th 2026.
Website: https://www.romics.it/en/
Longines Global Champions Tour Roma 2026 – October 9th-11th
This is the equivalent of the Formula 1 for horseback riding, and it is taking place in none other than the Circus Maximus! This will be the 2026 edition of the most prestigious show jumping circuit in the world.
Tickets and schedules will be available at this link.
Festival del Cinema di Roma – October 14th to 25th
This year the Rome Film Fest edition will take place from October 14th to October 25th 2025. Red carpets, contests and projections, this is such a glam event that takes place in the Auditorium Parco della Musica.
Tickets become available closer to the start date, and they sell out fast, so keep an eye on their website: https://www.romacinemafest.it/en/
Looking for a 3-day itinerary for your first visit to Rome? We combined must-sees and hidden gems of Rome in this article, have a look!
Caracalla Baths by Night – special opening on October 15th
This Summer you have the chance to visit the ancient Baths of Caracalla by night! This ancient Roman bath complex was a gigantic structure able to accomodate up to 1500 people at the same time.
It was an ancient “spa”, where the Romans would experience a sequence of rooms at different temperatures, just like our modern spas today! Caracalla’s baths are the biggest thermal bath ruins in Rome. And the magical atmosphere of the ruins illuminated at night is so special that in the Summer it also becomes the background of concerts and ballets.
On specific dates you’ll be able to access the magic of Caracalla’s baths illuminated at night. The dates are:
- July 23rd
- August 2nd
- September 19th
- September 26th
- October 15th
You can find all the details and tickets at this link: https://portale.museiitaliani.it/b2c/buyTicketless/c763f66b-8295-4800-a92d-b96a26659396
The Rose Garden of Rome – Fall opening
The Rose Garden of Rome reopens its gates for the fall blooming in October for about two weeks, usually mid-October . During these two weeks you’ll be able to admire and smell the beautiful roses in their fall blooming. The rose collection includes some of the most rare and ancient species of botanical roses. All of this with the spectacular background of the Palatine hill ruins!
Free entrance, from 8AM to 5PM. We’ll share the opening dates when they’ll be announced.
Are you looking to make your October Rome trip special? Are you looking for something fun, unique, personal? Our walking tours grew from the legacy of our media content online. We won’t dwell on academic frills, only on insider’s knowledge with the fun storytelling of a local expert. Check our private and semi-private experiences here
Robert Mapplethorpe exhibit at the Ara Pacis – until Oct 4th
Robert Mapplethorpe once said that, had he lived centuries earlier, he would have been a sculptor rather than a photographer. In fact, the feeling you get when looking at his photographs in this exhibition is that you are looking at sculptures rather than pictures.
The muscles, curves, and torsions of the bodies he photographed recall those of Michelangelo’s sculptures, of which Mapplethorpe was a great admirer.
This exhibition at the Ara Pacis is a journey through Mapplethorpe’s creative evolution: from his early collages made from found images (because he could not yet afford photographic equipment) to his use of himself as a model while developing his photographic style. It also explores his relationship with the musician and poet Patti Smith.
The two met as struggling young artists in New York and inspired each other’s careers. Mapplethorpe famously photographed the cover of Smith’s iconic 1975 album Horses, one of the most recognizable album covers in music history.
The exhibition also includes several ancient statues of athletes, referencing the classical sculpture that inspired the work of this iconic photographer.
The exhibition will run until October 4, 2026. More information is available here.
Rome Jewelery Week 2026 – October 8th-11th
The Roma Jewelery Week is a week entirely dedicated to the promotion of the contemporary jewels of artists, artisans, goldsmiths and the art of jewelery-making in Rome. There will be events, guided tours of the jewel makers of the city, often hidden away in the back streets where most tourists don’t venture to.
More details about the event on the official website: https://www.romajewelryweek.com/
Exhibition “Cento Pittori Via Margutta”
This October (dates still to be confirmed) there will be the annual 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 October.
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.
Live a unique experience with us when in Rome!
If you want to make your October Rome trip special and looking for something fun, unique, personal… you’re in the right place!
Our walking tours 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 Trastevere, Centro Storico and the heart of Ancient Rome. You can find them all here!
Discover more about how our Rome tours work, the best Rome tours or browse all our small-group tours to see the experiences currently available.
