Rome’s birthday celebrations for Natale di Roma include historical re-enactments including a costumed parade and gladiator fights.

Rome celebrates its 2,773rd birthday in April 2020. Natale di Roma, the birthday celebration is based on the legendary founding of Rome by Romulus in 753 BC.
Events are in the Circus Maximus and include the trench-digging ritual, which recalls the founding of ancient Roman towns when a trench or mundus was dug and offerings were thrown into it for the gods to watch over the inhabitants.
The Circus Maximus also hosts historical re-enactments including gladiator fights.
The main event each year, however, is a costumed parade, featuring more than 2,000 gladiators, senators, vestal virgins and priestesses.
The pageant is organized by the Gruppo Storico Romano, a historical dramatic society which, has brought history to life by re-enacting battles, historic events, and displays of ancient theatre and dance in the city centre.