June 2nd Parade - Republic Day
The grand military parade along the Fori Imperiali and the flyover by the Frecce Tricolori
About June 2nd Parade
Italy's most important civic celebration
On June 2nd, all of Italy celebrates Republic Day, commemorating the 1946 institutional referendum in which Italians chose a Republic over a monarchy. The heart of the celebrations is in Rome, the capital city in the Lazio region, where every year since 1948, a grand military parade takes place along the Via dei Fori Imperiali, framed by the Colosseum and the Imperial Forums—a backdrop unique in the world.
The morning ceremony
The day begins at the Altare della Patria, where the President of the Republic, in the presence of the highest institutional figures, pays homage to the Unknown Soldier by laying a laurel wreath. The Head of State then proceeds to Via di San Gregorio to review the troops before the military parade kicks off along the Via dei Fori Imperiali axis.
Parading units and the Frecce Tricolori
The Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force), the Carabinieri, the State Police, the Guardia di Finanza, the National Fire Corps, the Civil Protection, and representatives of civil society march in the parade. The most anticipated moment is the flyover by the Frecce Tricolori, the National Aerobatic Patrol, which paints the green, white, and red of the Italian flag across the sky over the monumental axis stretching from the Colosseum to Piazza Venezia.
Free museums and evening at the Quirinale
For the occasion, state museums and archaeological sites in Rome and the Lazio region open to the public for free, from the Colosseum Archaeological Park to the National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art. In the evening, celebrations shift to Piazza del Quirinale, which hosts a show featuring readings, speeches, and musical and theatrical performances dedicated to republican values, broadcast live on national television.
A defining national appointment
More than just an event, the June 2nd Parade is the nation's primary civic ritual: it combines institutional solemnity, historical memory, and popular participation. Every year, thousands of Romans and visitors watch the parade from the grandstands set up along the Forums or gather to admire the Frecce Tricolori, in a day that weaves Rome's historical heritage with the identity of the Italian Republic.
June 2nd Parade — edition 2026
2026 Edition - 80th Anniversary of the Republic
On Tuesday, June 2, 2026, Rome celebrated the 80th anniversary of the Italian Republic. The day began at 9:15 AM with the President of the Republic's tribute to the Unknown Soldier at the Altare della Patria; at 10:00 AM, the military parade began along the Via dei Fori Imperiali, culminating in the traditional Frecce Tricolori flyover. In the afternoon, state museums and archaeological sites opened to the public for free. In the evening, at 9:00 PM, Piazza del Quirinale hosted the show "The Faces of the Republic," featuring readings and musical and theatrical performances broadcast live on television.
Programme June 2nd Parade 2026
- 9:15 AM - Altare della Patria: tribute to the Unknown Soldier and laying of the laurel wreath by the President of the Republic
- 9:45 AM - Via di San Gregorio: presentation of the troops aligned for the review
- 10:00 AM - Via dei Fori Imperiali: military parade with Armed Forces, Carabinieri, State Police, Guardia di Finanza, Fire Corps, and Civil Protection
- Flyover by the Frecce Tricolori along the Colosseum - Piazza Venezia axis
- Afternoon - Free admission to state museums and archaeological sites (Colosseum Archaeological Park, National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art)
- 9:00 PM - Piazza del Quirinale: "The Faces of the Republic" show
Highlights June 2nd Parade 2026
- 80th anniversary of the Italian Republic
- Military parade along the Via dei Fori Imperiali
- Frecce Tricolori flyover
- Free state museums in Rome and Lazio
- Evening show "The Faces of the Republic" at the Quirinale
Prices June 2nd Parade 2026
Practical information — June 2nd Parade
Getting there
The Fori Imperiali area is served by Metro Line B, Colosseo station. On June 2nd, numerous road closures and bus route diversions are expected in the historic center: we recommend reaching the area on foot or by public transport.
How to attend
You can watch the parade from the grandstands set up along the Via dei Fori Imperiali by requesting free accreditation (subject to availability) on the Ministry of Defense's event platform. The ceremony and the Frecce Tricolori flyover are broadcast live on TV.
Costs
The event is free and open to the public. State museums in Rome and the Lazio region offer free entry all day.
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Where does it take place — June 2nd Parade
Via dei Fori Imperiali
Via dei Fori Imperiali, 00186 Roma