How To Celebrate Halloween Weekend In Rome
Goa © Instagram/resident_advisor, Donnie Darko © Instagram/whatyouwere, Pumpkins © Instagram/greaterthanlife_, Outdoor Festival © Instagram/sarabenevento76
Halloween is a holiday that is increasingly gaining traction in Rome. Whereas in the past Halloween was only celebrated at Irish pubs and expat homes, it’s now common to see stores outfitted with witches and pumpkins, groups of children trick-or-treating in the historic center and a range of festivities being held around the city. Check out our favorite ways to celebrate this spooky holiday in Rome.
Friday October 28th
Rome's Comedy Club
Store, Theatre, Theater
The
Rome Comedy Club, founded by an Italo-American expat, is the city’s only English-speaking stand-up group. Its monthly open mic nights bring together Rome’s funniest characters (expats and Italians) and you can be sure the club will have some particularly ghoulish entertainment in store for Halloween evening. Reserve your table
here.
RA in Residence at Goa
Nightclub, Cocktails, Wine, Beer
Kick off the weekend with a dance party at
Goa, a gothic techno and house nightclub in the Ostiense neighborhood. The club will host DJs Rhadoo from Romania and Domenico Rosa from Italy as part of its RA in Residence evenings. If you’re into electronic music and an underground vibe, it’s an evening you won’t want to miss.
Atmosphere:
Nightlife, LoudSaturday October 29th
Roman DJs at Vicious
Nightclub, Wine, Beer, Cocktails
This underground club located close to Termini Station is one of the hippest venues in the city. Exceedingly dark, covered in mirrors and featuring a smokey atmosphere,
Vicious attracts a trendy low-key crowd that arrive well past midnight and dance until the morning. Young Roman talents Inherent and Owl will provide the soundtrack to Saturday night’s fest.
Atmosphere:
Nightlife, LoudDonnie Darko & DJ Set
The hip and secretive event planning collective Doppia Palma is hosting a special evening, in a yet-to-be-announced location, in collaboration with the Cinematic Folks film community. There will be a screening of cult classic Donnie Darko followed by food and drinks provided by the Testaccio Food Market and then a DJ set of new wave and electronic music. Sign up for the event on Facebook for more details.
Sunday October 30th
The Cure and The Twilight Sad
Few things say dark and moody autumn evenings quite like The Cure. Catch the beloved English rock band playing live in Rome at the Palalottomatica auditorium in the EUR neighborhood, with Scottish post-punk indie rock band The Twilight Sad opening the show.
Palalottomatica: Piazzale Pier Luigi Nervi 1, Rome, Italy, +39 06 540901
Monti Vintage Market Halloween Edition
Market, Italian
After enjoying a leisurely lunch in Monti, head over to the vintage and artisanal
Mercato Monti where you’ll find everything from trinkets and second-hand purses to furniture and works of art. This weekend, the market is Halloween themed so you can be sure to find costume inspiration, spooky knick-knacks and other festive designs to get you in the spirit of the holiday. The market will be open Saturday-Monday.
Monday, October 31st
Extravaganza Paranormal Edition
Teatro Quirinetta, a historic café-theater from the 1920s, hosts a select number of events and performances each year, including an invigorating Halloween party. This year, the theme is based on paranormal and supernatural activity, paying nod to the psychological horror film The Ring. More info here.
Spanish Night
Celebrate Halloween during the closing night of the Outdoor Festival with ‘Spanish Night‘, a collaboration with the ASALTO International Urban Art Festival held each September in Zaragoza. The evening will include a DJ set by Francesco Tristano, an experimental pianist and composer from Luxembourg who composes classical and electronic music.
