An unforgettable start to the year in the Eternal City, thanks to the Rome Parade, which enchanted the audience with an extraordinary procession of artists, musicians, and performers along a 4-kilometer route through some of Rome’s most iconic locations. Starting from the Pincio Terrace, the parade made its way through Via del Babuino, Piazza di Spagna, Via dei Condotti, Via del Corso, and Piazza del Popolo, attracting nearly 30,000 enthusiastic participants and spectators.
This year’s edition showcased the energy and talent of numerous Italian groups alongside prestigious American high school marching bands, delivering unique moments of music, color, and entertainment. Adding to the festivities were captivating majorettes, dynamic cheerleaders, and unmistakable street performers, all guided by the charismatic hosting of Stefano Raucci, Francesca Ceci, and Stefano Molinari, who engaged the audience with professionalism and charm.
The Rome Parade 2025 kicked off with a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by Svetlana Celli, President of the Capitoline Assembly, and was opened by the ancient Roman group AB VRBE CONDITA, followed by Renaissance-era reenactors. The procession featured the Hamilton High School Charger Marching Band, street performers from the Festive Spark Street Crew, the Corpo Bandistico Pontelliese, the Spaccanapoli folk group from Scafati, Disney-themed Cosplayers, the Varsity Spirit All American group, the Bedizzole Marching Band, the Sbandieratori e Musici di Marino – Lo Scudo di Lepanto, and the Detroit Catholic Central High School Marching Band. Other highlights included the Banda Musicale di Cave with the Majorettes Golden Stars Sabine of Casperia, Jolly Rickshaws with Cotton Candies supporters, the Holly High Steppers stilt walkers, the Associazione Filarmonica Vejanese, the Candy Lane Performers, a second performance by Varsity Spirit All American, the Bersaglieri A.N.B. “Cotterli” Fanfare of Aprilia, Led Robots – Galactic Gliders, the “G. Verdi” Band of Castel Chiodato, the Black Brass Band, the Heritage High School “Incomparable Marching Storm,” Brazilian dancers from the Carnival of Joy, the City of Rome Pipe Band, Superhero-themed Cosplayers, Pifferi e Tamburi di Baio Dora APS, the Banda Musicale “Città di Fiano Romano” with Orbassano Majorettes, the Noel Skywalkers stilt walkers, the Parkview Marching Band, and the folk group La Frustica of Faleria. Giant balloons, including the Rome Parade Balloon, Senator Balloon, Maria the Majorette, Trevor the Triangle, the Centurion, and the Gladiator, added vibrant color and excitement to the parade’s most spectacular moments.
Lizzie Bone, representative of Destination Events, the organization behind the Rome Parade for over 15 years, expressed her delight, stating:
“We are thrilled with this year’s success and the incredible participation, which included a growing number of Italian groups alongside our beloved American high school marching bands. Rome always welcomes us with unmatched warmth, and we can’t wait to return next year to share the enthusiasm, culture, and fun with even more participants. It is a great honor to offer this New Year’s gift to the city of Rome, making the first day of the year so festive and uplifting.”
The event has firmly established itself as a must-see in Rome’s cultural landscape, uniting people of all ages in a message of joy and hope for the new year. Once again, it has demonstrated the power of music and performance to create an atmosphere of universal joy and togetherness.
The parade was part of the ROMA CAPODARTE 2025: Cities in the World initiative, promoted by Roma Capitale, the Department of Culture, and coordinated by the Department of Cultural Activities.
