Europe Festival (Europe Day at the Pincio)
On May 9th, the Pincio Terrace becomes the European heart of Rome
About Europe Festival
A European day in the heart of Rome
May 9th is no ordinary date: it is the anniversary of the 1950 Schuman Declaration, the act that paved the way for European integration. In Rome, this anniversary is celebrated outdoors on the Pincio Terrace, in the Municipality of Rome, one of the city's most beloved viewpoints overlooking Piazza del Popolo and the rooftops of the Lazio capital. For an entire day, the square is filled with stages, gazebos, workshops, and flags, with free admission for all.
Europe's largest flag
The symbolic moment that opens and closes the day is the unfurling of a 20 by 30-meter European Union flag, unrolled across the terrace by students, families, and citizens. It is a collective gesture requiring dozens of hands, which every year becomes the most captured and shared image of the event. It is accompanied by the Army Band, which performs the European anthem and the national anthem.
Talks, testimonials, and guests
Throughout the day, dialogues and meetings on concrete topics take place around the main stage: student mobility and the Erasmus+ program, opportunities offered by European funds to local areas, the prevention of youth violence, bullying and cyberbullying, and sport as a common language. Representatives of European and Italian institutions, Olympic athletes, sports champions, digital creators, and well-known entertainment figures take turns on stage, hosted by a guest of honor.
The European agencies village
A section of the terrace hosts a true information village, where Union institutions and agencies meet the public face-to-face. Typically present are:
- the European Commission Representation in Italy and the European Parliament Liaison Office in Italy;
- the Joint Research Centre (JRC);
- the ESA Earth observation center;
- the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA);
- the European Training Foundation (ETF) and national Erasmus+ agencies.
Children, families, and solidarity catering
The Europe Festival is also designed for the little ones: the kids' area offers read-aloud sessions for children aged 3 to 7 by the Libraries of Rome and Europe Direct Rome, musical workshops, games, drawing activities, and a photo booth. Catering is provided by social enterprise projects, bringing an inclusive dimension to the terrace that is consistent with the spirit of the day.
Why it's worth visiting
Unlike many institutional events, the Europe Day at the Pincio is not a closed ceremony but a public festival: you can come and go freely, listen to a talk and then stroll among the pines of Villa Borghese, mixing with school groups on trips, tourists who happened upon it, and Romans out for their Saturday walk. In Lazio, it is the most visible European event of the year, and the setting—with the sunset over the dome of St. Peter's—does the rest.
Europe Festival — edition 2026
The 2026 program
On Saturday, May 9th, 2026, the Pincio Terrace hosted Europe Day from 11:00 AM to 7:30 PM, organized by the European Commission Representation in Italy with the European Parliament Liaison Office in Italy. The event was hosted by Metis Di Meo.
The Roman celebrations began on Friday, May 8th, at Piazza del Campidoglio, with the unfurling of the large European flag and the blue illumination of the Campidoglio and the Colosseum. On Saturday at the Pincio, activities were complemented by Esperienza Europa – David Sassoli at Piazza Venezia, featuring fun-educational workshops for families and European Parliament simulations.
Programme Europe Festival 2026
Saturday, May 9th, 2026 — Pincio Terrace (11:00 AM - 7:30 PM)
- 11:00-11:30 — Opening with the Army Band (national and European anthems) and unfurling of the 20x30m EU flag
- 11:30-12:00 — Dialogue on Europe: European Commission Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto interviewed by Bruno Vespa, with European Parliament Vice-President Antonella Sberna and Cyprus Ambassador to Italy Yiorgos Christofides
- 12:00-12:45 — Erasmus+ Talk: youth, universities, education, and sports, with government department representatives and national Erasmus+ agencies
- 12:15-14:30 — Social catering by PizzAUT and the La nuova Arca project
- 14:30-15:15 — Youth violence prevention: testimonials on gender-based violence, bullying, and cyberbullying with law enforcement
- 15:30-16:15 — "What are European funds for?": success stories from the territories
- 17:00-17:30 — Sports talk with Olympic athletes from the Armed Forces
- 17:30-18:00 — Sports legends: Andrea Lo Cicero (rugby) and Valerio Vermiglio (volleyball)
- 18:00-18:30 — Digital creators and European communication on new media (RdsNext)
- 18:30-19:00 — Meeting with actress Ludovica Martino (Skam Italia) on identity, friendship, social media, and mental health
Throughout the day
- Information stands: European Commission Representation, European Parliament Office, Joint Research Centre (JRC), ESA Earth observation center, EFSA, European Training Foundation (ETF), and Erasmus+ agencies
- Kids' area: quality readings for ages 3-7 by Rome Libraries – Europe Direct Rome, "Le Note del Tempo" musical workshop, drawing, ILoveEU photo booth, and entertainment by the Sol Bridge musical group
- Joint activities with Tennis and Friends at Piazza del Popolo
- Ice cream shop in the afternoon
Friday, May 8th, 2026
- Piazza del Campidoglio: unfurling of the large European flag
- Evening: blue illumination of the Campidoglio and the Colosseum
Highlights Europe Festival 2026
- The unfurling of the 20x30 meter European Union flag at the start and end of the day
- Raffaele Fitto interviewed by Bruno Vespa on the terrace overlooking Piazza del Popolo
- Sports legends Andrea Lo Cicero and Valerio Vermiglio
- Actress Ludovica Martino from Skam Italia in dialogue with young people
- Solidarity catering by PizzAUT and La nuova Arca
- European agencies village: ESA, JRC, EFSA, ETF
Prices Europe Festival 2026
Practical information — Europe Festival
How to get there
The Pincio Terrace can be reached on foot from Piazza del Popolo by climbing the panoramic ramp, or from Villa Borghese. Metro Line A, Flaminio stop (5-minute walk) or Spagna. Numerous bus lines serve Piazzale Flaminio. Driving is discouraged: the area is a restricted traffic zone and parking is scarce.
Admission and hours
Free admission, no reservation required, for the entire day of May 9th. The event takes place outdoors: in case of rain, some activities may be reduced.
Tips
Bring a hat and water on sunny days: the terrace has little shade. Those arriving with children will find the kids' area on the Villa Borghese side. The unfurling of the flag, at the opening and closing, is the moment not to be missed.
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Where does it take place — Europe Festival
Terrazza del Pincio, Villa Borghese
Piazzale Napoleone I, 00187 Roma