Rome Entertainment

Rome may lack the depth of nightlife which exists in other Italian cities, but it has its own distinct style, which is laid-back and quite romantic. The outdoor plazas play a large role in the average Romans evening, especially during the sultry summer months, when its preferable to be outside. Theres also a healthy dose of cultural theatre, opera and ballet if thats what youre after. Several entertainment magazines are printed in the city to keep you up-to-date on whats happening. Check out Wanted in Rome, Time Out Roma and Trovaroma for the latest information.

Nightlife

Romes nightlife is a bit of an insiders scene, where it helps to know the hotspot of the month. Many clubs and bars will appear for a couple of months and then simply fade away as the trend moves elsewhere. Its not obvious at first where the action is, but if you head to Trastevere and the area around Piazza Navona, you will find a bustling bar scene.

During the summer, the Estate Romana festival dominates the city. Open-air concerts, discos and bars spring up all over the city as Romans come out of their stuffy apartments to cool off. The via di Monte Testaccio is the best area to enjoy these free outdoor parties.

Much of Romes nightlife doesnt involve clubbing or bar-hopping. The Piazza della Rotonda, across from the Pantheon, is a great place to go after dark. Locals and tourists alike come to this dramatically lit square to relax and mingle. The Piazza del Popolo and via Veneto are two other popular outdoor areas to enjoy the warm summer nights. The cafs around here are charming and full of activity at night. If youre lucky, youll catch an impromptu guitar jam or classical tenor singing Italian ballads, proving that the romanticism is still alive and well in Rome.

Theatre and music

Romes premier cultural venue is the Teatro dellOpera, where you can see the excellent Rome Opera Ballet. Many visiting performance groups play here as well. For classical music, you can catch the RAI Symphony Orchestra at the RAI Auditorium. For a special experience, try and see an opera at the ancient Baths of Caracalla. Only 2,000 spectators are allowed into each show, which is set against the backdrop of the lovely open-air ruins. Rome is also one of the standard stops for world music tours. Major music stars often play at Stadio Flaminio or Foro Italico.

Festivals

Rome maintains its cultural heritage by hosting a number of impressive events, celebrations and international festivals each year. Naturally, religion is the major emphasis on this citys celebrations, but there are also some great music festivals.

• Easter is the biggest event of the year in Rome, preceded by the rites of Holy Week, which are presided over by the Pope himself. Sacred music concerts echo from every church and the Good Friday procession of the Stations and the Cross is quite moving (April).
• The Cosmophonies Music Festival brings a series of grand concerts to the ancient amphitheatre in Ostia Antica. At the same time is the Festa di Noantri, with its concerts of traditional Roman music, religious processions and street fairs (July).
• RomaEuropa is the citys largest performing arts festival. Troups from around the world come to Rome to perform over several weeks (September and October).
• Christmas offers a rare chance to see the Vatican at its most solemn and grandiose. The ancient religious rites begin on Christmas Eve, when the Pope holds both a midnight Mass and late-morning Mass at St Peters Basilica (December).