Thanksgiving festivities take place in Rome on 27 November

Thanksgiving is not a holiday widely celebrated in Rome, but there are some places where you can get your fill of traditional food and festivities on Thursday 27 November.

America’s Catholic Church in Rome, S. Susanna, always hosts a special Mass at 10.00 on Thanksgiving Day. However due to a temporary closure, this year the Mass will be celebrated at the church of S. Camillo de Lellis, on the corner of Via Piemonte and Via Sallustiana, one block away from the American embassy. The presider and preacher will be Bernard Cardinal Law and the Thanksgiving Proclamation will be read by the US ambassador to the Holy See, Kenneth F. Hackett. 

The American International Club is hosting its annual Thanksgiving dinner for members and guests at Ristorante L'Archeologia, Via Appia Antica 139 this year. Reservations must be received by 24 November, for full details see website.

For an elegant sit-down feast, reserve a table at Vivi Bistrot at 20.00 in the picturesque surroundings of Villa Pamphili. On the menu: pumpkin soup, stuffed turkey, green beans, potato puree and warm salad, followed by a choice of brownies or pumpkin pie. 

If you fancy an extra-special Thanksgiving treat, try the Hotel Hassler's exclusive Salone Eva restaurant at the top of the Spanish Steps.

For the family ambiance stop by Mama’s at Via Bellagio, from 19.30 to 21.30, where you can indulge in the traditional favourites, including country-baked ham, corn chowder and apple pie. For details see Facebook event page.

The Fondazione Museo Roma, which is currently home to the Norman Rockwell exhibition, is providing a traditional Thanksgiving meal on Thursday 27 November. On the menu is roast turkey stuffed with chestnuts, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie. In addition to the Thanksgiving meal the museum offers live jaz, swing and bossanova music. See more details. 

Likewise, American-style bar and grill The Perfect Bun at Largo del Teatro Valle 4 embraces the Thanksgiving holiday spirit each year, as does the Hard Rock Cafe on Via Veneto 62 and the Abbey Theatre on Via del Governo Vecchio 51/53, near Piazza Navona, Scholars Lounge on Via del Plebiscito 101 near Piazza Venezia, and the Highlander on Vicolo di S. Biagio 9, in the historic centre.

For those who would prefer to cook at home, the Castroni chain of shops stock many of the ingredients required for a Thanksgiving dinner. For a fun trip out of town, the Cinecittà World theme park in Castel Romano south of Rome is holding a four-day Thanksgiving special with discounts, brunches, majorettes, parades and live music from 27-30 November.

Please note that the US embassy in Rome is closed to the public on Thanksgiving Day.