For the weekend of October 3 and 4, 2026, Rome offers a solid lineup of events, ranging from pop culture and singer-songwriter music to rediscovering ancient historic roads. There is no need to beat around the bush: if you are in town during these days, there are three specific events that deserve your attention, each with its own logistical considerations.
The comic book festival at Fiera di Roma
From Thursday, October 1 to Sunday, October 4, 2026, the exhibition spaces of Fiera di Roma host the new edition of Romics. This is the major biannual event dedicated to comics, video games, and cosplayers. If you are traveling with teenagers or are simply a fan of the genre, this is a detour that will take up a good half day.
The fairgrounds are located along the route toward Fiumicino Airport. To avoid getting stuck in traffic on Via Portuense, the only sensible choice is the regional train. You can check the official fair program to plan your visit to the pavilions and check the updated opening hours. A practical tip: buy your tickets online in advance to avoid miles of queues at the ticket offices, a common mistake that risks wasting your first few hours at the fair. Inside, the food stalls are very crowded and quite expensive, so bringing a bottle of water and some snacks in your backpack is an excellent way to save time and money.
Singer-songwriter music at Teatro Olimpico
On the evenings of Saturday, October 3 and Sunday, October 4, 2026, the Teatro Olimpico hosts a concert by Vinicio Capossela. The artist brings his complex, ironic, and story-rich songs to the Roman stage. The theater is located in Piazza Gentile da Fabriano, in the Flaminio district, a pleasant residential neighborhood for a walk before the show.
For the exact start times of the concerts, we recommend checking the official event channels directly. You can check the availability of remaining seats by looking at the autumn concert dates. The area around the theater is full of small trattorias and pizzerias where you can grab a bite before the show starts. Avoid driving: finding parking around Piazza Gentile da Fabriano on a Saturday night is a task that can take hours. It is much better to use public transport. If you arrive early, you can stop for a gelato at one of the historic gelaterias in the Flaminio district or take a short walk to the nearby MAXXI museum, even if just to see its illuminated exterior architecture.
Appia Day
Sunday, October 4, 2026 is the day dedicated to Appia Day, an annual event celebrating the first of the great Roman roads. For the occasion, the Via Appia Antica is closed to private vehicle traffic, allowing cyclists and walkers to reclaim the space.
There are free guided tours, special openings of monuments that are usually closed, and archaeological hikes. You can find details on the initiatives for the day. The most interesting part of the route begins around Porta San Sebastiano. If you decide to go, I recommend renting a bicycle at one of the rental points along the road. Walking on the ancient Roman basalt paving stones is tough on the ankles: wear sturdy sneakers or light hiking shoes, not city shoes with smooth soles. Remember that water points along the road are rare, so fill your water bottle before you set off.
How to get there and schedules
Here is a quick guide to organizing your travel to these three weekend events:
- Romics: open from Thursday to Sunday, please refer to the official website for updated opening hours. It is easily reached by public transport; for details on train connections, check the Trenitalia website. Tickets for the fair must be purchased on the official website.
- Vinicio Capossela: the concerts take place on October 3 and 4. The Teatro Olimpico can be reached by public transport; to plan your route, check the ATAC website.
- Appia Day: events are concentrated on Sunday, October 4. You can reach the starting point at Porta San Sebastiano using public transport; for active lines, check the ATAC website.
One last tip from a local: do not try to do everything. Choose one event for Saturday and one for Sunday. Rome takes time to digest, and rushing from one end of the city to the other will only leave you tired and frustrated.