From October through December, Rome offers plenty of opportunities to laugh live: neighborhood festivals, stand-up comedy, and monologues on big stages, right up to an evening that pairs jokes with a tasting of six wines. Here are 9 events to mark on your calendar so you can choose your next show and give fall a laugh-filled finale.
Pigneto Comedy Fest
From October 1 to 4, Pigneto transforms into a city-wide stage: four days, nine venues, and over 15 events, including stand-up comedy, exhibitions, sound installations, talks, and live podcasts. The lineup features names such as Edoardo Ferrario, Francesco De Carlo, and Saverio Raimondo.
Giuseppe Ninno with *Citofonare Casa Imbarazzi*
After reminiscing about school and adolescence, Giuseppe Ninno turns his attention to home life: on October 8, he brings *Citofonare Casa Imbarazzi* to the Teatro Brancaccio, a comedy about Italian families in the 1990s, featuring domestic rituals, motherly advice, and family groups that have taken the place of class chats.
A wine tasting takes a comedic turn: on November 20 and December 18 at the Teatro Centrale, *An Idiot’s Guide to Wine* turns the tasting into a stand-up show. A comedian guides the audience through six wines from different parts of the world, mixing jokes, fun facts, and pairing tips: no sommelier expertise required, just a desire to have fun and discover what’s in your glass. Tickets starting at €36; admission for ages 18 and up.
Paolo Cevoli with *Figli di Troia*
What do Aeneas, Little Red Riding Hood, and Paolo Cevoli’s father—who emigrated to Australia—have in common? In the monologue *Figli di Troia* (Children of Troy), at the Teatro Olimpico on October 10, myth and family memories intertwine. The flight from Troy ends with a picnic at the mouth of the Tiber, complete with focaccia and porchetta sandwiches.
Enrico Brignano with *Bello di mamma!*
From November 10 to 22, the Auditorium Conciliazione will host *Bello di mamma!*, Enrico Brignano’s one-man show. Nostalgia for the small comforts of childhood serves as the starting point for taking an ironic look at the contradictions of the present. He’ll be accompanied on stage by a ten-piece orchestra and two backup singers.
Giorgia Fumo with *Out of Office*
PowerPoint, Excel spreadsheets, endless calls, and arguments over the air conditioning: in *Out of Office*, Giorgia Fumo turns office life into stand-up comedy. The show takes place at the Teatro Olimpico on November 16 and 17, offering an ironic look at the habits and absurdities of modern-day work.
Maurizio Lastrico with *Sul Lastrico*
On December 3, Maurizio Lastrico returns to the Teatro Olimpico with *Sul Lastrico*. His style blends theater, stand-up, and physical comedy, featuring the eleven-syllable verses that made him famous and everyday stories where joys and misfortunes become material for laughter.
Ghemon with *La prima volta l’ultima volta l’unica volta*
After getting to know him primarily as a musician, on December 12 at the Sala Petrassi of the Auditorium Parco della Musica, you can see Ghemon in his role as a stand-up comedian. *The First Time, the Last Time, the Only Time* is his second comedy show, and it explores the fears and contradictions of everyday life through a personal narrative. The show starts at 8:00 p.m.
Maccio Capatonda with a Theater Performance
On December 21 and 22, the Teatro Olimpico becomes the set for *Spettacolo Teatrale*, Maccio Capatonda’s live debut. A theater company on the brink of bankruptcy, his on-screen alter ego, and a series of parodies blur the lines between stage and fiction. Even the instructions for the audience are a gag: anyone who tries to leave by walking across the stage risks getting stuck in the set for the next performance.
Whether you choose stand-up, a monologue, or an evening of laughter and drinks, Rome already has the next reason to go out. All that’s left is to pick a venue and mark the date on your calendar.
