what to do on January 6 in Rome
After Christmas and New Year’s Eve, the last of the holidays to be experienced in Rome remains: the Epiphany. Rome returns to life without restrictions on January 6, with folk processions, festive squares and traditions of the past.
While all the children prepare to line up their stockings hoping to find them full of sweets on the morning of January 6, a calendar full of appointments awaits young and old from the center to the suburbs. Are you wondering how to experience Epiphany day in the capital? Here are the events not to be missed:
The Befana in Piazza Navona
The Befana has returned to Piazza Navona. After two years of hiatus, Rome’s most iconic festival is back to life which, during the Christmas holidays, will accompany children, families and tourists in the highlight of the Roman Christmas. One of the most famous monumental squares in the capital is filled with lights and sounds, Christmas decorations, nativity scenes, sweets and games for children, traveling shows, the magical puppet theater and the ancient horse carousel. And, on Epiphany day, the old lady will make a spectacular entrance, gliding from the sky on her broomstick and landing next to the obelisk to deliver sweets and candies to the children. The band of the National Fire Brigade will surround and Giuseppe Di Tommaso, Rai journalist, will lead the live event, helping the children to find the Befana among the roofs of Piazza Navona. She that she, clumsy and clumsy, she will be stuck and will have to be helped down to distribute a quintal of sweets. Appointment for everyone, and especially for children, on January 6 at 10 in the square. [TUTTE LE INFORMAZIONI]
“Viva la Befana”, historical folklore procession with the Magi
Extras with historical re-enactment groups, horses, musical bands will parade in via della Conciliazione, up to piazza San Pietro, on 6 January. Thus, the “Viva la Befana” event returns, which has as its main objective that of keeping the Epiphany tradition alive by enhancing its religious and folkloric aspects. After the Angelus, the Magi, in procession, will go to the Pope to offer the traditional gifts. Participation, completely free, is open to all. [TUTTE LE INFORMAZIONI]
The Epiphany of Villa Pamphili
Friday 6 January, after two years of hiatus, the free review “La Befana di Villa Pamphili” organized by VIVI – Villa Pamphili resumes. A special morning dedicated to children, now in its third edition at the Villa Doria Pamphili park, Via Vitellia 102 (Monteverde). The event, sponsored by Roma Capitale – XII Municipio, is free and open to all children to celebrate the Epiphany in company en plein air. [TUTTE LE INFORMAZIONI]
“The toy race” on the Pincio Terrace
The 45th edition of “The toy race” is back on 6 January, a non-competitive 5 km run, walk or pace event. Open to all on the Terrace of the Pincio (Villa Borghese). To participate, just bring a used toy in good condition. The toys collected will be received by the Red Cross to children of abandoned childhood institutes and to some pediatric wards of Roman hospitals. [TUTTE LE INFORMAZIONI]
Treasure Hunt of the Epiphany
On January 6, the Befana invites all children to a real treasure hunt at the Museum of Vintage Carriages in Rome. Between riddles and amusing stories, children will be able to search together for sweets hidden among carriages and sledges from all eras. If they manage to find all the treats and fill the stocking, the Befana herself will appear. And the parents? In the meantime they will be able to dedicate themselves to a wonderful guided tour of carriages and sledges from every era in 150 specimens. [TUTTE LE INFORMAZIONI]
The Befana of the policeman
The Policeman’s Befana is back with the eleventh edition, an event for families scheduled at the Oasi Park playground in via Tarquinio Collatino 56/58 (Tuscolana area) on 6 January. From 3 pm guaranteed fun for the little ones. It will be the famous comedian Angelo Molone, aka Aldo Jackson, who will present the eleventh edition of the event organized by the Consap state police union at the playground in the Don Bosco area. [TUTTE LE INFORMAZIONI]
“A 4-legged Sock”, the Epiphany at Zoomarine
Here comes “A 4-legged Sock”. At Zoomarine the Befana gives sweets to children and collects food and accessories to donate to the animals in shelters. A solidarity event to raise responsibility for the importance of reuse and recycling for environmental sustainability, with lots of games, attractions and surprises. With stockings full of sweets for the good ones and coal for the naughtier ones, this year the Epiphany at the Zoomarine park will be decidedly special as it is also dedicated to dogs, cats, rabbits, parrots, which populate the daily life of many families. [TUTTE LE INFORMAZIONI]
A rainbow bonfire to welcome the Befana
A rainbow bonfire to greet the arrival of the Epiphany at the Castle of Length. On January 6, the “Triumph of the Befana” is celebrated at the Fantastic Castle of Santa Claus, which closes its doors to then reopen in the spring with many magical novelties. A special, colourful, fun, unique day to meet dear granny who will be welcomed by Santa Claus, ready to give her her sleigh to let her rest after the long journey around the world on the famous and traditional sorghum broom. [TUTTE LE INFORMAZIONI]
Run for the Epiphany 2023
The 29th edition of the “Corri per la Befana” foot race, CDM 111 trophy, 10.100 km, returns on 6 January 2023. The Race is both competitive and non-competitive and will be preceded by the 3 km Befana Happy Run, a recreational motor sport event open to all. On the course of the race, the photographers of Photos in the race will be present to immortalize the best moments of the race. [TUTTE LE INFORMAZIONI]
The Feast of the Epiphany in Ostia
The Festa della Befana arrives in Ostia from 5 to 8 January. The event, organized by the “Traditions of Italy” Association, will take place in Piazza Anco Marzio. “Spectacular Befane” will perform from 12 to 16 together with special chimney sweeps for a lively Epiphany dedicated to entertainment. [TUTTE LE INFORMAZIONI]
Nana, the witch on stage at the Teatro le Maschere
“Nana, La Befana”, written by Carla Marchini in collaboration with her niece Sofia, will be staged at the Teatro Le Maschere from 6 to 8 December. Nana is still only Santa’s helper but she, for a fortuitous occasion, will have the opportunity to become the Befana, helped of course by Santa and a very perplexed Rudolf, thus becoming the darling of the children. [TUTTE LE INFORMAZIONI]
Borghetta Style, Feast of the Epiphany in pajamas
La Befana anticipates by a few hours and is celebrated in pajamas in Largo Venue. In fact, on the evening of 5 January, Borghetta Stile 90’s Party is scheduled: the Befana in a pajama party with Borghetta Stile (Pop – DANCE – 90s – 00s – Hits), the most eccentric and bizarre themed party, which offers the great hits dance from the 90s…and beyond. [TUTTE LE INFORMAZIONI]
Epiphany by bike to Pigneto
On Friday 6 January on the occasion of the Epiphany there will be an event for children and not, which will feature an eco-activist Befana, cycling around Pigneto. The initiative is organized by various entities in the area from Collective Recovery to Asd Pigneto, to Csoa Ex Snia. The event includes a bicycle tour with several stages: Pigneto square, pedestrian area – library, Enrico Toti school, Persiani Nuccitelli square – Pigneto Team camp – La Tana dei Cuccioli, Condottieri square and the Energie arch. [TUTTE LE INFORMAZIONI]
Feast of the Epiphany at Wegil
The WeGil of Rome, the cultural hub of the Lazio Region managed by Laziocrea in Trastevere, presents the Festa della Befana on Friday 6 January. Epiphany takes away all holidays. And the Wegil offers a playful party dedicated to the sweetest of old ladies… the Befana! Between workshops, shows, games for the little ones with cotton candy and popcorn and many surprises. Event organized by Saltinbanco Animation. [TUTTE LE INFORMAZIONI]
Tribute to the Befana, guided tour
The 10 Guides of Rome association, on 6 January, proposes the visit “Homage to the Befana: from the historical procession of via della Conciliazione to the underground of piazza Navona”. Appointment in via della Conciliazione where historical re-enactment groups from all over Italy will parade in folk costumes, in homage to the Epiphany. From the meeting point, the guided tour will lead to the discovery of anecdotes and curiosities up to Piazza Navona where you can enjoy one of the most acclaimed festivals in the city. From the living room of Rome dressed to the nines, the tour will end with the descent to the basement of the square, in the suggestive archaeological area of the Stadium of Domitian. [TUTTE LE INFORMAZIONI]
Epiphany at the Castle of Santa Severa
The Epiphany is celebrated within the walls of the Castle of Santa Severa. On January 6, the Natura in Campo markets are back, with the excellence of the area at zero km. Also on Epiphany day, the show of the Palacinca Circus is scheduled: Captain Palacinca and Il furbo Jock traveling the length and breadth of the world have collected extraordinary exotic beasts and learned untransferable magical skills and circus techniques. Trained rodents, aerial acrobatics, illusionism, enchanted reptiles, Japanese arts, mentalism and much more. [TUTTE LE INFORMAZIONI]
Epiphany by bike in Sabaudia and Circeo
On January 6th in Sabaudia and San Felice Circeo, the Epiphany is spent on a bicycle. A very nice ride is planned in collaboration with Itinarrando, a mixed asphalt, dirt, forest ride with a panorama and lots of nature in the Sabaudia nature reserve. From the enchanted forest in a moment the lake of Paola appears. The tour continues going up the only climb towards San Felice, a medium-demanding climb to enjoy, at the end, a breathtaking view of the gulf. [TUTTE LE INFORMAZIONI]