Halloween in Rome 2025: Best Things to Do

Halloween might not be the first holiday you associate with Rome. The Eternal City usually evokes images of ancient ruins, Renaissance art, and the Vatican rather than pumpkins, costumes, and spooky celebrations. Yet in recent years, Halloween has become increasingly popular across Italy, and Rome has embraced it with its own special twist. If you’re planning to spend October 2025 in Rome, you’ll find that the city offers a surprising mix of traditional charm and modern festivity.

Let’s dive into how Romans celebrate, what to expect, and where else in Italy you might want to go for a truly unforgettable Halloween experience.

Does Rome do anything for Halloween?

Yes—Rome definitely does something for Halloween, and in 2025 the celebrations are expected to be even bigger. While Halloween is not a traditional Italian holiday, the influence of American culture has made it popular, especially in large cities. Rome has adapted the holiday in its own way, mixing Anglo-American customs with local traditions.

Throughout the city, you’ll see shops decorated with pumpkins, cobwebs, and witches. Bars and clubs host themed parties, restaurants serve special Halloween menus, and museums occasionally open for nighttime tours with a spooky twist. Historic sites like Castel Sant’Angelo or the Catacombs often hold events that tie in perfectly with the mysterious atmosphere of Halloween. Families with children also take part, with costume parades in neighborhoods and organized trick-or-treating events in residential areas or shopping malls.

So, while Halloween in Rome might not be as over-the-top as in the U.S., it has carved out a unique space in the city’s cultural calendar.

How do Romans celebrate Halloween?

Romans celebrate Halloween in several ways, depending on age and lifestyle.

Young adults and students usually head to bars, clubs, or private parties where costumes are a must. Expect to see creative, sometimes elaborate outfits, from traditional witches and vampires to modern pop culture characters. Some venues even offer prizes for the best costume of the night.

Families with children tend to enjoy more wholesome celebrations. Parks and cultural centers often organize pumpkin carving workshops, storytelling sessions with legends of Roman ghosts, and treasure hunts inspired by the city’s history. Some neighborhoods—especially expat-heavy areas—organize trick-or-treating routes, though this is not as widespread as in North America.

For those who prefer cultural activities, Rome’s museums and theaters often prepare Halloween specials. Imagine watching a performance in a dimly lit historic theater or joining a guided night tour of the Colosseum under the full moon. These experiences blend Rome’s rich past with the thrill of Halloween perfectly.

What do people do on Halloween in Italy?

Across Italy, Halloween has become an excuse to dress up, socialize, and embrace spooky fun. Much like in Rome, Italians—especially younger generations—enjoy costume parties, themed dinners, and events at bars or clubs. Children in urban areas sometimes go trick-or-treating, though it’s more common in northern cities and among families influenced by international traditions.

One unique Italian spin on Halloween is its overlap with traditional holidays. November 1st is All Saints’ Day (Ognissanti), and November 2nd is All Souls’ Day (Giorno dei Morti). These days have long been part of Italian culture, with customs involving visiting cemeteries, leaving flowers, and honoring loved ones. As a result, Halloween often serves as a more lighthearted prelude to these solemn observances.

What do Italians think of Halloween?

Opinions vary. Many Italians—especially younger people—embrace Halloween as a fun occasion to party and dress up. For them, it’s a chance to enjoy something playful in the autumn season, similar to how Carnival is celebrated in February.

Older generations sometimes view Halloween with skepticism, seeing it as a foreign holiday imported from the U.S. and commercialized by shops and brands. Others prefer to focus on traditional Italian holidays like All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day.

However, the trend is clear: Halloween is growing every year in popularity, and by 2025, it has firmly established itself as part of the festive season in major Italian cities like Rome, Milan, Florence, and Naples.

What do Italians call Halloween?

Italians typically just call it Halloween—using the English word. Some may describe it as “la notte di Halloween” (Halloween night) or “la festa di Halloween” (the Halloween party), but the word itself doesn’t have a different Italian translation.

Unlike Carnival, which has centuries of tradition and its own Italian vocabulary, Halloween remains a relatively new cultural event. Still, the English word has been widely adopted, especially in advertisements, schools, and entertainment venues.