A quick guide to Halloween 2024 for kids and adults in Rome.

Rome embraces the ghoulish festival of Halloween - still a slightly foreign concept in Italy - with themed events and spooky shopfronts becoming increasingly popular.

This year Halloween falls on Thursday 31 October, followed on 1 November by All Saints’ Day, or Ognissanti, a public holiday in Italy, resulting in a long weekend.

Where to get Halloween costumes in Rome

If you are looking for the perfect Halloween costume, masks, make-up and accessories, head to Studio 13 in Piazza Cavour 13 or Profondo Rosso on Via dei Gracchi 260 - both in the Prati district - but don't leave it until the last minute as you may have to queue down the street just to get in.

For cheaper Halloween fare check out the city's "casalinghi" housewares stores while if you are seeking a more bespoke look, pay a visit to Rome's vintage boutiques, many of which can be found in the Monti district or on Via del Governo Vecchio, or the flea market near the Circus Maximus.

Halloween fancy dress parties in Rome

There are always fancy dress parties in the city's night clubs and live music venues including Hard Rock Cafe on Via Veneto as well as pubs such as the Abbey Theatre near Piazza Navona, Finnegan’s, Fiddler's Elbow and The Shamrock in Monti, and Scholars Lounge near Piazza Venezia.

The Città dell’Altra Economia in the Testaccio district will host a Halloween Street Food Fest on Thursday night from 19.00 until late, with free entry until 23.00 after which admission is €10.

Halloween for kids in Rome

Rome has special Halloween events for children at the Bioparco zoo, with discounted tickets for children under 10 in Halloween costumes, as well as Halloween activities for kids aged over three at Explora children's museum, from 31 October until 3 November.

There is also plenty of Halloween fun at Luneur Park in EUR, or theme parks such as Rainbow Magicland and Cinecittà World to the south of Rome.

As an ancient city, Rome also offers some authentically scary experiences such as a spine-chilling visit to the Capuchin crypt on Via Veneto.

Halloween at the cinema

Halloween pumpkins

For those looking for the perfect pumpkin, check out the Fattoria della Zucca, an American-style pumpkin field in Sacrofano north of Rome.

Lastly, check out our Halloween recipe which features - surprise surpise - pumpkin.

We will update this guide as more events are announced in the days before Halloween.