May is one of the best months to experience Rome: the days are getting longer, the temperatures are finally pleasant, and events are beginning to fill every corner of the city, from the historic center to the most creative suburbs.
Whether you already live in the capital or are planning a long weekend in Rome in May 2026, this guide will help you navigate festivals, concerts, immersive exhibitions, neighborhood events, and fun ideas —even for those traveling with kids.
The goal: to fill your calendar with original, fun activities that have that “wow” factor, making you say, “I’ve never seen Rome like this before.”
A Candlelight Concert
If you love live music but are looking for a more intimate atmosphere than the typical arena, Candlelight concerts are a great idea for your May evenings in Rome. These are candlelit performances, often held in charming theaters or churches, with programs ranging from tributes to Ludovico Einaudi to the best songs by Coldplay and Imagine Dragons in classical arrangements.
The Jury Experience: an immersive role-playing game
For those who love mysteries, true crime, and immersive experiences, The Jury Experience is one of the most original formats in the city. In this interactive show, set in a courtroom, the audience becomes the jury called upon to decide the defendant’s fate: you’ll have to listen to the testimonies, scrutinize the evidence, and reach a verdict together with the other participants.
One-time date: Saturday, May 16.
Rome Vegan Festival 2026: plant-based street food and music at the Città dell’Altra Economia
Among the food events in May, the Roma Vegan Festival 2026 stands out, filling the spaces of the Città dell’Altra Economia in Testaccio with plant-based street food stands , craft beers, music, and talks dedicated to sustainability and animal rights.
The event will take place over the May Day long weekend, with free admission or a nominal fee, and the chance to sample plant-based cuisine from around the world. It’s one of the best ideas if you’re looking for things to do in Rome in May over the weekend with friends who love food, music, and a relaxed atmosphere.
Taste of Rome 2026
From May 6 to 10, 2026, Taste of Roma returns—the event that tells Rome’s story through its flavors, celebrating its first 10 years. For this edition, the festival opens a new chapter by choosing the Gazometro as its venue. The program brings together over 20 restaurants, including long-time staples of the event, established chefs, and new establishments, featuring chef masterclasses, talks, themed tastings, and DJ sets.
Among the big names in attendance are Heinz Beck of La Pergola (3 Michelin stars) and several other Michelin-starred chefs from Rome.
The Butterfly House: an exotic experience
Another delightful idea for families (but also for couples and groups of friends who love photography) is the Butterfly House, which returns to Rome for its 2026 edition in a large tropical greenhouse. Inside, you can walk among hundreds of free-flying butterflies, observe the life cycle of these insects up close, and participate in guided tours and educational workshops.
Admission is daily from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM, throughout the month of May and until June 14. The location, in the Appia Antica area, allows you to combine your visit with a walk in the park or lunch at one of the many small restaurants in the area.
Rome’s Bioparco: A Day Outdoors Among Animals and Nature
Rome’s Bioparco remains one of the great classics when it comes to activities with children, but it’s also enjoyable for groups of adults looking for a laid-back day among animals and nature in Villa Borghese. With the arrival of warmer weather, the park is in full swing: many species are more visible, there are picnic areas, and there’s no shortage of special educational initiatives. It’s the perfect opportunity to welcome special new arrivals.
Tickets can be purchased both online and on-site. The Bioparco is open daily with approximate spring hours from 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM (until 7:00 PM on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays).
European Night of Museums 2026: museums open and shows for 1 euro
If you’re looking for special events in Rome in May, mark the 2026 Night of Museums on your calendar. On Saturday, May 23, municipal museums and many cultural venues will participate in the initiative with special evening openings, often from 8:00 PM to 2:00 AM, featuring a symbolic €1 admission fee and a rich program of concerts, performances, guided tours, and special activities.
We can expect participation from museums such as the Capitoline Museums, the Ara Pacis, Trajan’s Markets, and other iconic sites in the city. If you love art and want to experience museums in a different atmosphere than usual, this is the perfect plan.
Open House Rome 2026: open architecture and free city tours
Open House Roma is the perfect event for those who love to explore the city in depth and discover places normally closed to the public. The 2026 edition takes place from May 16 to 24, with over 200 sites open, including historic palaces, contemporary architecture, architecture firms, and guided urban tours—all of which can be visited for free by reservation.
The initiative is promoted by Open City Roma and involves not only the city center but also neighborhoods like Ostiense, Garbatella, Corviale, and even Fregene, home to Italy’s most visionary architecture. For many, it has become a regular fixture in May, perfect for livening up the weekend.
Rome’s Municipal Rose Garden: blooming roses and a view of the Circus Maximus
For those who love romantic strolls or panoramic photos, the Roseto Comunale is a must-see in May. Located on the Aventine Hill, overlooking the Circus Maximus, it is home to over 1,100 varieties of roses from all over the world, with spectacular blooms right between April and May.
On May 17 at 6:00 p.m., the new rose varieties in the garden will be awarded.
The spring 2026 season runs from April 11 to June 14, with free admission and hours from 8:30 AM to 7:30 PM. If you’re looking for something romantic and budget-friendly among the things to do in Rome in May, a stroll here at sunset—perhaps combined with a walk up the Aventine Hill and the view from the Orange Garden—is always a good idea.
“Romasuona” Exhibition: The Great Music of the ’70s in Rome
For music and pop culture enthusiasts, the “Romasuona”exhibition at the Palazzo delle Esposizioni explores Rome’s music scene of the 1970s through photographs, posters, vinyl records, videos, and immersive installations.
Scheduled from May 1 to July 12, with the entire month of May available for a visit, it can be combined with other exhibitions in the same venue. It’s an excellent cultural alternative indoors (or in the cool air!), without sacrificing a touch of “rock.”
Major concerts in Rome: Fabrizio Moro, Elisa, Levante
May 2026 is also packed with concerts in Rome’s arenas and clubs, perfect for those seeking live music events. Among the highlights are Fabrizio Moro at the Palazzo dello Sport on May 2, Elisa at the same venue on May 5, and Levante at the Atlantico on May 6.
The updated calendar of live events in Rome features several other national and international acts spread throughout the month, with a concentration on weekends. Keep an eye on ticket availability, as the best seats tend to sell out quickly, especially for the Rome dates of Italy’s most beloved artists.
IPER – Festival delle Periferie 2026: events and performances in Rome’s neighborhoods
If you want to discover a Rome far removed from the postcards, IPER – Festival delle Periferie is the perfect opportunity. Organized by the Museo delle Periferie (Azienda Speciale Palaexpo), it returns in 2026 for its fifth edition with a packed schedule of initiatives spread across various neighborhoods: performances, guided tours, talks, concerts, and site-specific art projects.
The events take place from May 8 to 31 at various iconic locations in Rome’s suburbs, such as the MAAM, Corviale, the Tor Marancia Condominium Museum, the Ex Snia, and along the Tiber, often with free admission or a voluntary donation. It’s the perfect festival for those looking for meaningful things to do in Rome in May, exploring the stories and identities of neighborhoods beyond the historic center.
BNL Italian Open 2026: Tennis at the Foro Italico
Among the must-see sporting events in Rome in May, the BNL Italian Open tops the list. The 2026 edition takes place at the Foro Italico from April 28 to May 17, featuring a combined ATP and WTA tournament that brings the world’s best male and female tennis players to the city.
Even if you’re not a tennis expert, the Foro Italico Park is a pleasant place to enjoy: in addition to the courts, you’ll find food areas, stands, music, and an international atmosphere that makes the day a complete experience, not just a sporting one.
Spring Attitude Festival 2026: electronic and indie music at La Nuvola
If you’re looking for a festival that combines contemporary, electronic, indie, and alt-pop music, mark your calendar for the Spring Attitude Festival 2026. The fifteenth edition returns on May 29 and 30, 2026, at the La Nuvola Congress Center in the EUR district, for two days of live performances and DJ sets from the afternoon until late at night, with a lineup that mixes established artists with new international and Italian acts.
Tickets are available as a full pass for both days or as individual Day 1 and Day 2 tickets, with free admission for children up to 12 years old.
World Press Photo Exhibition 2026: Photojournalism at the Palazzo delle Esposizioni
We’ll wrap up with one of the most compelling exhibitions of the year: the World Press Photo Exhibition 2026, hosted at the Palazzo delle Esposizioni in Rome from May 7 to June 29. This is the Rome stop of the renowned international photojournalism exhibition, which showcases the winning images from the 2026 World Press Photo contest, selected by an independent jury.
Through powerful photographs, the exhibition tells stories of current events, conflicts, climate crises, and moments of resilience from around the world, and also offers the opportunity to purchase the official catalog.
