Cinema Nights at Piazza Vittorio (Cinevillage)

An open-air arena in the heart of the Esquilino

Every summer, as dusk falls over Rome, the Nicola Calipari Gardens in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II transform into one of the capital's most cherished open-air cinemas. Cinema Nights at Piazza Vittorio, managed by Cinevillage with the coordination of Roma Capitale, Zètema Progetto Cultura, and ANEC Lazio, has become a staple of the Roman summer: a giant screen set up in the multicultural Esquilino district, where audiences gather under the stars to rediscover the joy of outdoor cinema.

Twenty-six summers on the big screen

Reaching its 26th edition in 2026, the festival is one of the longest-running and most recognized events in Rome's summer calendar. Originally a neighborhood initiative, it has evolved over the years into a cultural landmark for both Romans and tourists, blending auteur cinema, artist meet-and-greets, and a program focused on the season's latest releases. Its location in the historic center of the capital makes it easily accessible and deeply rooted in the urban fabric.

The program: films and guests

From June 18 to September 20, 2026, every evening at 9:15 PM, the arena presents the best of the cinematic season: Italian, European, and international titles, documentaries, and auteur works. The 26th edition opens on Thursday, June 18, with "Una battaglia dopo l'altra" by Paul Thomas Anderson. Many screenings are accompanied by contemporary cinema figures—directors, actors, and screenwriters—who introduce the films or engage with the audience after the screening.

Special programs and guest festivals

• Porta Magica Festival — curated by the Esquilino Poesia association, featuring literary meetings, presentations, concerts, and spaces dedicated to contemporary poetry; the 2026 edition is dedicated to disability, rare diseases, and inclusion.
• Libri&Spritz — the cultural format created by the C.A.S.A. Community, appearing for the first time at Piazza Vittorio.
• FLAG – LGBTQIA+ Cultures Festival — from September 11 to 13.
• Cinema in Verde — the fourth edition of the international festival dedicated to environmental cinema, from September 17 to 20.

A Roman summer ritual

With its affordable tickets and convivial atmosphere, Cinema Nights at Piazza Vittorio is much more than just a cinema: it is a collective ritual that defines the city's summer. Sitting before the big screen in the Nicola Calipari Gardens, in the heart of the Esquilino, means experiencing Rome from an intimate and popular perspective, caught between the memory of cinema and the life of the neighborhood.