The Romans did not have a main event. They had many religious festivals, where sacrifices were offered to the gods and other traditional rituals were performed. They lasted one to several days. There were several each month and they were too numerous to list them here. The Romans also held games (ludi) which were also religious festivals or were held in conjunction with religious festivals, apart from two of them. One of them was in honour of Julius Caesar and the other in honour of Augustus. Chariot races and horseback contests (which the Romans loved) were often the main feature. There were theatre, dance and music performances, and feasts.

The Romans also held regular Gladiatorial games which lasted one to several days. They did not have a religious character.

The Saturnalia was a festival in honour of Saturn. It was held on December 17 and later expanded to December 23. Sacrifices were offered at the Temple of Saturn, followed by a public banquet and gift-giving. During these days there was continual partying and a carnival atmosphere which breached Roman social norms. Gambling was allowed. Masters served their slaves dinner.

Ludi held annually:

4-10 April, Ludi Megalenses or Megalesia, in honour of the goddess Magna Mater (Great Mother) or Cybele,

12-19 April, Ludi Ceriales. They were held in conjunction with the Cerealia, a festival in honour of Ceres, the goddess of grains.

28April-3 May, Ludi Florales, in honour of Flora, the goddess of flowers and spring. They were held in conjunction with the Floralia on 1 May which "atmosphere of primitive license and pastoral orgy." It was one of the Ludi circenses, games held at the Circus.

6-13 July, Ludi Apollinares, in honour of Apollo,

20-30 July, Ludi Victoriae Caesaris They were first held in 46 BC by Julius Caesar for the dedication of his temple of Venus, in fulfillment of a vow he made in 48 BC at the Battle of Pharsalus. It was made annual by Augustus.

28 August, Games at the Circus Maximus (circenses) for Sol and Luna

5-19 September, Ludi Romani or Ludi Magni, was the oldest and most famous of the ludi. According to the tradition it was established in the 6th century BC, probably in honour of Jupiter, or perhaps Pater Liber. It was one of the Ludi circenses, games held at the Circus.

3-12 October, Ludi Augustales, established 14 AD after the death of Augustus and based on the Augustalia, a festival in honour of Augustus.

1 November: Ludi circenses at the Circus Maximus which was primarily a venue for chariot races, but other athletic events, races, and beast hunts were also held.

4-17 November, Ludi Plebeii, (Plebeian games) established 216 BC. It was one of the Ludi circenses, games held at the Circus.

The ludi compitalicii (crossroads games). They were held by the neighbourhoods or community associations of Rome (vici) in conjunction with the Compitalia, (a festival celebrated honour of the Lares Compitales, household guardian gods of the crossroads) and the new year festival held on movable dates between the Saturnalia and January 5. Freedmen played a leading role and slaves could participate.

Ludi held periodically:

Ludi Capitolini, held every four years in honour of Jupiter's help in retaking the Capitoline Hill after the siege of the Gauls. It was held irregularly, and re-established by Domitian in 86 AD.

Ludi Pontificales or Ludi Actiaci, held every four years. It was established by Augustus in 30 BC. it was held every fourth year to commemorate Augustus's victory at Actium.

Ludi Decennales, a celebration of the 10-year anniversary of an emperor's reign it was established by Augustus.

Ludi Saeculares, held infrequently. They were held soon after the expulsion of the kings, on a schedule determined by the Sibylline books and the influence of the Etruscan Great Year (a 110-year cycle). They were held in 17 BC under Augustus, when the choral Carmen Saeculare of Horace were performed and to mark important occasions such as the 800th and 900th anniversary of the founding of Rome

Ludi Taurii. They featured horse races in honour of the gods of the underworld. They were a two-day event. Varro mentions them as occurring in the late Republic. It was recorded that during the reign of Antoninus Pius they were held every five years from 140 to 160 AD. Some scholars think that they were held every five years regularly.

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