Things to Do in Rome in September 2026

As the late summer heat gracefully mellows into a beautiful early autumn, the Eternal City is bursting with a spectacular lineup of art, music, film, and culinary celebrations. Here is your guide to the best events happening in Rome this month.

Art lovers will not want to miss the highly anticipated Wassily Kandinsky exhibition at Palazzo Bonaparte. This comprehensive retrospective offers a rare opportunity to explore the evolution of the pioneer of abstract art. Showcasing masterpieces from his early Munich years through his vibrant Bauhaus period, the ornate and historic backdrop of Palazzo Bonaparte perfectly contrasts the modern genius of Kandinsky's sweeping geometric compositions.

The avant-garde spirit of the city truly comes alive during the Romaeuropa Festival - REF2026. Taking over various iconic venues across Rome, this sprawling multidisciplinary festival remains a cornerstone of contemporary arts in Europe. Attendees can expect a cutting-edge curation of modern dance, experimental theater, electronic music, and digital arts, bringing together international visionaries and local talents for a month of thought-provoking performances.

Beyond these major highlights, September’s calendar is brimming with vibrant social and cultural gatherings. Live music fans can soak up the final outdoor concerts of the season at the Roma Summer Fest 2026, or enjoy the intimate, classical chamber performances of the Festival Musicale delle Nazioni (Notti Romane).

Wine enthusiasts have plenty to raise a glass to this month, thanks to the expansive food and wine tastings at Vinòforum 2026 and the traditional, joyous harvest celebrations of the Vendemmiata Romana 2026.

Whether you are here for the world-class art, the timeless music, or the fantastic autumn wine harvests, Rome in September promises a truly unforgettable stay! To explore the city's rich history up close, be sure to check out Walkative! tours.

Date	Event	Category
September 1–21, 2026	Roma Summer Fest 2026 A major summer concert series at the Auditorium Parco della Musica Ennio Morricone, running until mid-September and featuring a diverse lineup of Italian and international artists. Highlights in September include Fiorella Mannoia, Levante, Judas Priest, Marisa Monte, and the Dissonanze electronic music festival. Explore the full programme of concerts and events and purchase tickets on the festival’s official website.	🎵 Concert	auditorium.com →
September 8–30, 2026	Romaeuropa Festival - REF2026 Major contemporary arts festival with theatre, dance, music, digital arts, and family programming. The 41st edition opens on 8 September and continues across multiple venues in Rome through mid-November. September highlights include Sofia Nappi, Fatoumata Diawara, Philip Glass, Jeff Mills and many other international artists.	🎪 Festival	romaeuropa.net →
September 15–30, 2026	Wassily Kandinsky exhibition at Palazzo Bonaparte After 25 years, Kandinsky returns to Rome with a major retrospective at Palazzo Bonaparte. Featuring more than 70 works from the Centre Pompidou and international collections, the exhibition traces the artist’s journey from his early figurative works to his pioneering experiments in abstraction, Bauhaus years and final period in Paris. It is likely to be one of the more popular museum-style shows for visitors interested in modern art.	🖼️ Exhibition	mostrepalazzobonaparte.it →
September 1–26, 2026	Festival Musicale delle Nazioni (Notti Romane) Tempietto Concerts – Music Festival of the Nations brings Italian and international artists to the Teatro di Marcello for a summer of music in Rome. Events take place daily, with afternoon and evening concerts plus guided tours of the archaeological area in English or Italian. One ticket includes both concerts and the guided tour.	🎵 Concert	tempietto.it →
September 13, 2026	Vendemmiata Romana 2026 The Botanical Garden hosts the 5th edition of Rome’s annual grape harvest celebration. Enjoy workshops, guided tours, tastings, live music, folk dancing, family activities and the symbolic grape harvest at Vigneto Italia. Highlights include a tasting of Somma Sapienza wines made from grapes grown across Italy’s vineyard collection, alongside street food. A great fit for travellers looking for an autumn food-and-culture activity in a scenic setting. €12, including all activities and free for children aged 11 and under.	🛍️ Market	senseventi.com →
September 16–20, 2026	Villa Medici Film Festival 2026 A film festival held at Villa Medici, the French Academy in Rome. The sixth edition of the Villa Medici Film Festival brings nearly 40 screenings to one of Rome’s most iconic venues, exploring the connections between cinema and contemporary art. The programme features an international competition, artist films, filmmaker encounters and open-air screenings in the Piazzale, including previews and restored classics.	🎪 Festival	villamedici.it →
September 7–13, 2026	Vinòforum 2026 Vinòforum returns to Piazza di Siena in Villa Borghese for a week-long celebration of wine and gastronomy. Discover more than 3,200 wine labels, meet Italian and international producers, and enjoy guided tastings, masterclasses, food shows and special dinners by leading chefs and pizzaioli. A must for wine and food lovers in Rome.	📅 Other	vinoforum.it →
September 15–23, 2026	Le Nozze di Figaro - The Marriage of Figaro Don’t miss Mozart’s beloved masterpiece, presented by the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma in Claus Guth’s acclaimed production. Originally created for the 2006 Salzburg Festival, this celebrated staging comes to Italy for the first time, offering a fresh and captivating take on one of opera’s greatest comedies.	🎵 Concert	operaroma.it →