16 Best Performing Arts in Rome, Italy

A small concert hall with an internationally recognized series of Baroque classics, the Oratorio del Gonfalone's mid-16th century frescoed walls are painted in high Mannerist style—a beautiful accompaniment to the music.

World-class headliners as well as its beautiful location in Villa Ada, a former monarch's residence, make Roma Incontra il Mondo one of Europe's most impressive world-music festivals. The summer concert series is held in the middle of the park and begins at 10 pm, followed by dancing until 2 am.

For six weeks in early fall, the RomaEuropa festival ignites stages and theaters as a collective, multi-venue avant-garde performing and visual arts program, showcasing international artists, installations, film, and performance.

Designed by Milanese architect Achille Sfondrini, Rome's opera house dates back to 1880 and is still world famous for its extraordinary acoustics. Not even these famed halls could have saved Maria Callas's 1958 performance of Norma, where she infamously walked out on the President of Italy due to health reasons. Today, the theater seats 1,600 in glamorous tiered boxes under a frescoed ceiling. It's an excellent venue to see opera in its original language or a contemporary ballet performance.

A summer-long, city-sponsored cultural series, many of these events are free and take place outdoors along the Tiber River and in piazzas all around the city. Look for cinema events, art programs, theater, book fairs, and guided tours of some of Rome's monuments by night.

In the fall, cinephiles head to Rome for its annual film festival, two packed weeks of cinema celebration and celebrity spotting. The festival showcases Hollywood hits, Italian indie and experimental films, retrospectives and shorts, and conversations with global cinema icons.

This series of unforgettable concerts takes place throughout the year in otherwise inaccessible sites, like the 1st-century Teatro di Marcello. Music runs the gamut from classical to contemporary.

Every summer from June until September, the gorgeous open-air Cinema d'Isola di Tiberina hosts its own film festival on Tiber Island. The 450-seat Arena Groupama unfolds its silver screen against the backdrop of the ancient Ponte Fabricio, while the 50-seat CineLab is set against Ponte Garibaldi facing Trastevere. There's a mix of international films in their original languages, documentaries, and new Italian films as well as talks with cinematic greats. Screenings usually start at 9:30 pm; admission is €6 for the Arena Groupama, €5 for CineLab.

An in-person, cash-only ticket vendor, Orbis stocks a wide array of tickets for music, cultural, and performance events.

From June through August, various locations throughout Rome, including the massive Ippodromo, host rock's top acts from all over the world.

Teatro India occupies a former soap factory and showcases the best in contemporary theater from local and visiting artists. Most shows are in Italian, but they have occasional English-language performances.

Ticketone is the go-to spot for all cultural event listings—from archaeological sites and museums to stand-alone events—in Rome. Online reservations require tenacity.

One of Italy's largest ticket vendors (both online and at ticket offices), VivaTicket covers major musical performances and cultural events in Rome and throughout Italy.