For three days, from Friday through Sunday, Ariccia transforms into the Italian capital of porchetta. The 73rd Sagra della Porchetta IGP brings the town’s squares, alleys, and historic buildings in the Castelli Romani region to life with a program that combines culinary traditions with live concerts, street performances, children’s workshops, and a conference dedicated to the product’s supply chain.
The program for Friday, September 4, begins at 5:00 p.m. with the opening of the booths in Piazza di Corte and a free conference at Palazzo Chigi—Sala Maestra—titled “Ariccia Porchetta: Tradition, Territory, and the Supply Chain,” featuring presentations by food historian Guido Farinelli and local officials. The official opening ceremony with Mayor Gianluca Staccoli is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. In the evening, there will be two concerts: Tri-Age in Piazza Dante Alighieri, featuring great Italian music from the 1970s to the present, and the Orchestraccia in concert in Piazza di Corte.
On Saturday, September 5, the stalls will be open from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Throughout the day, at Locanda Martorelli (Piazza di Corte No. 4), the Archeoclub Aricino Nemorense will lead 30-minute guided tours on the theme of the sacrifice of the suckling pig in the cult of Demeter and Kore—an unexpected journey into the ancient roots of a product that seems purely modern. Reservations are required via WhatsApp at +39 388 3636502 or via email at archeoclubaricia@alice.it. In the evening, enjoy disco dancing with I Charleston in Piazza Dante Alighieri and a live performance by 90 Mania The Original in Piazza di Corte.
Sunday, September 6, is the most anticipated day. At 6:30 p.m., in Piazza di Corte, the event’s signature moment takes place: the distribution of 3,000 porchetta sandwiches. At 9:00 p.m., Francy B&Band takes the stage, and at the same time, Pippo Palmieri and Wender from 105’s “Lo Zoo” will perform. The 73rd edition concludes at midnight with a fireworks display.
What to Know Before You Go
For all three days, Palazzo Chigi will be open to the public for self-guided tours of the Palazzo Nobile and the monumental kitchen at a special rate of 5 euros, with no reservation required (10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.–midnight). The market area stretches along Corso di Ariccia, Via Galloro, and Via Appia to the Ponte Monumentale. For those arriving by car, free parking is available with a shuttle service (former Kartodromo, Via di Vallericcia) and with an elevator (Ponte Monumentale, Via del Pometo), open until 1:00 a.m. An Info Point is open at the Casina del Ministro throughout the event (tel. 334 97 23 599).
The complete and updated program is available on the festival’s official website.
