Five Fun Events in Rome This August

The month of August in Italy is traditionally considered “vacation time” – businesses shut down for weeks while their owners and staff head off on adventure. With so many locals gone, it can seem like entire cities shut down – even busy, beautiful Rome. Here is a round up of five fun things to do in Rome this August…. even if the locals are on holiday.

July 28 – August 11. Nel Cuore del Colosseo (“In the heart of the Colosseum“). Until August 11th, one of Rome’s most famous and beautiful attractions is allowing visitors to explore areas that are usually kept under lock and key. Take a trip into the underground labyrinths of the Flavian Amphitheater to get a behind-the-scenes look at how the Colosseum’s lavish – and bloody – spectacles were produced. You’ve only eaten the Ancient Roman sausage, folks; now see how it was made.

Piazza del Colosseo

00184 – Roma (RM)

telephone: 060608

August 14. Dana Fuchs in Concert. Dana Fuchs – an American singer, actress and composer best known for her Janis Joplin-esque voice – will be performing at Parco Schuster on Via Ostiense. Close your eyes and you’ll believe this throaty-voiced New Yorker is the doomed songstress herself.

Parco Schuster

Via Ostiense
00100 – Roma (RM)
telephone: 060606

August 11 and 18, Toccata & Fuga. A Roman Holiday Set to Musical Tempo. And now for something completely different: outdoor musical, dance, and vocal performances that take advantage of not one but three ancient stages. From nine p.m. to midnight on the 11th and 18th of August, Toccata & Fuga’s performers rove between The Spanish Steps, Piazza del Popolo, and Piazza Navona to treat audiences to tango performances, a Gershwin piano suite and vocal performances by some of opera’s brightest stars. A firework show makes the evening even sweeter.

The Spanish Steps, Piazza del Popolo, Piazza Navona
Telephone: 060608

August 18. Giochi e leggende al Circo Massimo (Games and Legends of the Circus Maximus) In its heyday, Rome’s Circus Maximus could hold up to 300,000 spectators. Back then, gladiators paid with their lives to enter but this August 18th, it only takes 10 euro to enjoy an educational evening walking tour of the massive historic monument. A far better deal in our opinion. Reservations required.

Chiesa di Santa Maria in Cosmedin
Piazza della Bocca della Verità
00186 – Roma (RM)
telefono: 06 70454544

Until September 1. AstroSummer 2012. For the fifth summer in a row, The Planetarium and Astronomical Museum is setting the night skies on fire with nightly star shows designed to take viewers on a “different” kind of journey through space. Evening shows take place every night except on Mondays, with additional late afternoon shows on the weekends. Reservations required.

The Planetarium and Astronomical Museum

Piazza G. Agnelli 10

00144 – Roma (RM)

Telephone: 060608

In Rome this August? What are your plans?