10 Festivals in Rome and the Surrounding Area You Can’t Miss (2026–2027)

If a weekend in early September has a scent, in Ariccia it’s that of IGP porchetta slowly roasting at the stands in the historic center. Admission is free, and the program—year after year—features a mix of tastings, live music, and segments dedicated to the history of this Baroque town in the Castelli Romani. What stands out most is the atmosphere: here, porchetta isn’t just any dish—it’s an identity passed down through generations, and you can really feel it. Perfect for those who want to pair good food with a stroll under the arcades of Palazzo Chigi.

Here , the surprise arrives right on schedule every late September: for a few hours, the town’s fountains pour wine instead of water. It’s the highlight of a festival that’s been going on for a century now, featuring parades of the Carri di Bacco, Renaissance dances, and costumed processions that bring the alleys and squares to life. In addition to Castelli wine, you’ll find must-flavored doughnuts, “coppiette,” and porchetta in the taverns downtown. A free and spectacular event, perfect if you’re looking for something more theatrical than a simple wine tasting.

An hour and a half from Rome, in the woods of the Simbruini Mountains, this small village of fewer than 400 residents transforms for two weekends in October into a sprawling feast featuring local black truffles: bruschetta, fried eggs, and Tiana-style sausages. Admission is free, the atmosphere is intimate, and there’s one detail that makes it all even more special: for years, the proceeds have supported pediatric cancer research at the Bambino Gesù Hospital. It’s a small event with a huge heart—perfect if you’re looking for a more authentic and less crowded festival.

In the Viterbo region of Tuscia, for two weekends in mid-November, the village of Vignanello comes alive with historical parades, flag-wavers, and culinary tours through olive mills and wine cellars carved into the tuff. Admission to the historic center is free, and guided tours take visitors inside Ruspoli Castle and through the evocative underground passages known as “connutti.” Here, you can taste the new olive oil and young wine at the very moment they’re at their freshest, amid roasted chestnuts and medieval shops: one of the most evocative food and wine events in Tuscia. A day trip that combines gastronomy and history in a truly unique way.

January, the mountains, biting cold: yet this village in the Simbruini Mountains, just a few kilometers from the plateau where the Western film*They Call Him Trinity* was filmed, fills up every year for one of Lazio’s most iconic festivals. Thepork chop roasted over charcoalevokes the fire that destroyed the ancient village in 1859, and the community has been celebrating it for nearly seventy years with folk music and traditional dances. Admission is free, and the menu is simple but authentic. If you love the off-season mountain atmosphere, this is probablythe most authentic event on the list.

In March, in Ciociaria, the star of the show is a product that almost no one in Rome knows: falia, a flatbread scented with olive oil, served stuffed with broccoletti from the Amaseno Valley. The free event combines food stands with guided walks through the historic center, featuring special openings of the Archaeological Museum and the town’s churches. Priverno lies along the Via Francigena, so it’s worth arriving a little early for this festival to explore the village. A culinary discovery off the beaten path.

In April, Rome’s northern coastline transforms into an open-air showcase featuring about 400 booths, art installations made from artichokes, and a closing fireworks display. It’s one of the region’s most popular food festivals, with evening concerts and even artichoke beer among its culinary curiosities. Admission is free, and in recent years, special train services from Rome have been added on the busiest days—it’s worth checking to see if this will happen again this year. An easy trip, whether you’re looking for a quick getaway or a full day out.

In early June, the real star of one of Lazio’s most beautiful village festivals is an object: the Giant Frying Pan, a massive pan four meters in diameter that, in Fiumicino, can fry twenty quintals of locally caught fish over the course of three days of festivities. Created in the 1970s to honor the town’s seafaring tradition, today it features live music, a market, and even a stand dedicated to those with celiac disease. Admission to the market is free, while a small fee is required for the food area. A spring festival for a unique evening on the Roman coast.

Every first Sunday in June, ever since 1925, the village overlooking the lake turns red: the “Fragolare” parade in traditional costume, carrying baskets brimming with wild strawberries, while the streets fill with jams, liqueurs, and desserts made from Nemi’s signature fruit. Admission is free, and the day is perfect for a scenic stroll along the lake, among the most picturesque villages of the Castelli Romani. A brief village festival, yet one that symbolically kicks off the summer.

We’ll wrap up with the very origin of one of Rome’s most beloved dishes: here, at the foot of the Monti della Laga,amatriciana was born. The event, which celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2026, brings the last weekend of August to life with tastings, artisan markets, and evenings of live music, often featuring surprise guests from the entertainment world. A free event that, in addition to offering culinary delights, tells the story of the resilience of a community that continues to bounce back after the 2016 earthquake.