New Year’s Eve Rome 2024 | 9 Incredible Ways to Celebrate New year’s Eve in Rome

Festivities and Celebrations

• Fireworks and Parties: The night is marked by vibrant fireworks displays, particularly in city centers where people gather for concerts and festivities. Popular locations include Piazza del Popolo and Circo Massimo, where large crowds come together to welcome the New Year with music, dancing, and celebrations.
• La Festa di San Silvestro: This celebration honors Saint Sylvester, who died on December 31, 335 C.E. The evening combines the religious significance of the feast day with the revelry of New Year's Eve, making it a unique cultural event in Italy.

Traditional foods

• Cotechino e Lenticchie: A traditional dish served on New Year's Eve is cotechino (a type of pork sausage) accompanied by lenticchie (lentils). Eating lentils is believed to bring prosperity in the coming year, as their shape resembles coins. This dish symbolizes wealth and abundance, making it a staple at many Italian tables during the celebration.
• Grapes and Dried Fruit: It is customary to have grapes on the table during the New Year’s meal. According to tradition, consuming grapes ensures wise spending in the upcoming year. Additionally, dried fruits are often enjoyed as part of the festivities.

Superstitions and customs

• Red underwear: A quirky tradition involves wearing red underwear on New Year's Eve, believed to bring good luck and love in the coming year. Many Italians purchase new red lingerie specifically for this occasion
• Throwing out old items: In some regions of Italy, it is customary to throw old belongings out of windows as a way to symbolize letting go of the past and welcoming new beginnings
• Smashing plates: Another fun tradition involves smashing plates or pottery to ward off bad luck and negative energy from the previous year, symbolizing a fresh start for the New Year.

1. Fireworks display at Circus Maximus

You must attend the festival at Circus Maximus for New Year’s Eve in Rome. The midnight fireworks show is a mind-blowing treat. For a clear, picturesque view of fireworks head to the terrace of the Gianicolo or climb atop the Pincian Hill.

Tip: Arrive early to secure a good spot.

2. Attend a New Year's Concert

One of the best ways to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Rome is to attend a live music concert. Dress up to attend the most famous operas offered across multiple venues like Church of St Paul Within the Halls, All Saints Church and others.

What to expect: Cultural experience, Opera

Tip: Dress in your best for this grand experience.

5. Attend the New Year Parade

The New Year Parade at Piazza del Popolo is an extravagant celebration and features Italian musical folk groups that take part in a family-oriented parade in central Rome. This event takes place on New Year’s Day.

What to expect: Parade, huge crowds, live performances, dance
Tip: Join locals in celebrating with traditional foods and drinks, like spumante or prosecco.

6. Celebrate like the locals at Trastevere

For a low-key New Year’s Eve in Rome stay at Trastevere. The locals create a wonderful atmosphere and you can enjoy a traditional dinner made with Silvestro lentils, carrots, and pieces of cotechino (a large spiced sausage). Trastevere is known for traditional and innovative trattorias, craft beer pubs, and artisan shops.

What to expect: Street party, local stalls, cultural experience

8. Celebrate at La Festa di Roma

This all-day extravaganza at Circus Maximus is free for all and has a host of activities and events to ring in the new year. You'll experience concerts, fireworks, music and so much entertainment as you party with the locals.

What to expect: An extravagant affair with music, dance performances, fireworks and lots more