Starting at the Pincio Terrace and winding through Via del Babuino, Piazza di Spagna, Via dei Condotti, Via del Corso, and Piazza del Popolo, the event drew an enthusiastic crowd of nearly 30,000 people, including spectators and participants.
This year’s edition showcased the energy and talent of numerous Italian groups alongside renowned American high school marching bands, creating unforgettable moments of music, color, and entertainment. The parade also featured captivating majorettes, dynamic cheerleaders, and the unmistakable charm of street performers, all brought to life by the engaging hosting of Stefano Raucci, Francesca Ceci, and Stefano Molinari, who captivated the audience with their charisma and professionalism.
The Rome Parade 2025 was inaugurated with the ribbon cutting by Svetlana Celli, President of the Capitoline Assembly, and opened by the group of ancient Romans AB VRBE CONDITA, followed by Renaissance-costumed performers. The parade then featured the Hamilton High School Charger Marching Band, the street performers of the Festive Spark Street Crew, the Corpo Bandistico Pontelliese, the folk group Spaccanapoli from Scafati, the 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. The procession continued with the Banda Musicale di Cave, accompanied by the Majorettes Golden Stars Sabine & di Casperia, the Jolly Rickshaws, the stilt walkers The Holly High Steppers, the Associazione Filarmonica Vejanese, the Candy Lane Performers, another performance by the Varsity Spirit All American, the Fanfara dei Bersaglieri A.N.B. “Cotterli” di Aprilia, the Led Robots – Galactic Gliders, the Associazione Bandistica “G. Verdi” di Castel Chiodato, the Black Brass Band, the Heritage High School “Incomparable Marching Storm”, the Brazilian dancers of the Carnival of Joy, the City of Rome Pipe Band, the Superheroes-themed Cosplayers, the Pifferi e Tamburi di Baio Dora APS, the Banda Musicale “Città di Fiano Romano”, accompanied by the Majorettes di Orbassano, the stilt walkers The Noel Skywalkers, the Parkview Marching Band, and, closing the parade, the folk group La Frustica from Faleria. The giant balloons, including the Rome Parade Balloon, the Senator Balloon, Maria the Majorette, Trevor the Triangle, the Centurion, and the Gladiator, brought vibrant color and excitement to the most spectacular moments of the parade.
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 extraordinary participation, which saw a growing presence of Italian groups alongside our beloved American high school marching bands. Rome always welcomes us with unparalleled warmth, and we cannot wait to return next year to share once again the enthusiasm, culture, and joy with an even greater number of participants. It is a tremendous honor to offer this New Year’s gift to the city of Rome, making the first day of the year so festive and positive.”
The event has once again proven to be an unmissable appointment in Rome’s cultural calendar, uniting people of all ages with a message of joy and hope for the new year. An experience that has demonstrated the power of music and performance to create a universal atmosphere of shared celebration and happiness.
To relive the magic of the parade, an exclusive highlights special will be broadcast in the States by American Public Television and in Italy by the Netweek circuit on January 2nd, airing on Lazio TV at 10:00 a.m. and Gold TV at 12:00 p.m.
For further details about the event, visit the official website www.romeparade.com.