Will you find yourself in the Eternal City December 31st? NYE 2018 in Rome is bound to be one to remember, with special lighting ceremonies, fireworks, parties and events all night long!
Traditionally in Rome, New Year’s Eve is a holiday spent with friends and family and features a big dinner (called cenone) that keeps guests occupied until midnight. Ringing in the new year, families will pop bottles of sparkling wine – like prosecco, spumante, or franciacorta – light sparklers, wish each other a buon anno and then dish out a small plate of lentils and cotechino (a kind of pork sausage). The tradition to eat lentils at midnight is a custom adopted all over Italy and is thought to originate from the ancient Romans who would eat lentils on the first day of the new year to bring riches and good fortune in the year ahead.
If you’re planning on celebrating NYC 2018 in Rome this year then you’re bound to find something to do for every kind of celebration. If you’re still looking for a place to stay and are looking to stay in for a laid back NYE celebration, have a look at what’s still available at ROMAC. Alternatively, have a look at any of the numerous events taking place around the city. Events hosted by the City of Rome can be found in full detail on the city of Rome’s Official NYE event website (Italian only), but we’ll go through a few of the highlights below.
Live Concerts, Performances and Fireworks
Location Circo Massimo
Starting at 9:30pm, head to Circo Massimo – the ancient chariot racing grounds – where you’ll find a massive outdoor stage with all sorts of live concerts, theatrical performances, and fireworks show going on until 2am.
Lighting up the Palatine Hill
Location Circo Massimo
As the clock strikes midnight, ring in the new year in Rome with a special lighting ceremony and fireworks show! The lighting ceremony will turn the lights back on the Palatine Hill which faces Circo Massimo, a site that’s been in the dark for the last 13 years. The new lighting will be a permanent installation and allow visitors to enjoy the stunning ruins also at night.
Movie Marathon
Location Teatro India and Cinema Reale
For the real night owls, movie marathons from 3am to 6am in the Teatro India, a large theatre near river in the Testaccio neighborhood of Rome, and Cinema Reale, in Trastevere, projecting Italian films and international films, respectively, for audiences to enjoy into the wee hours of the morning.
NYE 2018 in Rome with Children?
If you’re traveling with small children, bring them to the Giardino degli Aranci in the Aventine Hill where there will be balloon artists, clowns, and face paint from 10am to 4pm on January 1st.
Looking for a place to stay for NYE 2018 in Rome?
There are still a few apartments available with ROMAC, but they’re filling up fast! Take a look what’s available on our website at ROMAC, and use the filters to search by neighborhood, price, size, and amenities to find the perfect vacation rental for your needs!
Have you celebrated NYE in Rome before? Share your experiences in the comments below!
