Autumn in the Lazio region brings a host of food festivals to suit every palate.
A “sagra” is a traditional food festival
As the summer crowds thin, the Lazio region’s medieval towns burst into life with authentic sagre food festivals that celebrate local harvests as well as re-enactments and historical celebrations. These events offer ready-made, authentic experiences that can be paired with Rome city stays, overnights or Lazio countryside tours.
Chestnuts and Medieval pageantry in Soriano and Caprarola
From the first weekend of October through mid-month, Soriano nel Cimino’s “Sagra delle Castagne” (4–20 October 2025; dates vary slightly each year) is one of Italy’s oldest chestnut festivals. Expect historical re-enactments, flag-throwers, parades and open-air roasting pits perfuming the town’s cobbled streets. Nearby Caprarola celebrates its own chestnut sagra on the second and third weekends of October, often combined with hazelnut, honey and wine tastings. Both towns are around 90 minutes’ drive from Rome and both coach parking and guided group tours can be arranged through the local Pro Loco associations.
New olive oil and the Tuscia wine route
November brings the olive harvest, and Canino’s “Festa dell’Olio Novello” (7–9 November 2025) celebrating the newly-pressed oil, offers mill tours, bruschetta tastings, and DOP olive oil workshops. Packages can combine the festival with visits to Tarquinia’s Etruscan tombs or the Tuscia wine route. Canino is about 120 km northwest of Rome and local farms often welcome groups for tastings with advance booking.
Truffles and Slow Food in Rieti and Casperia
The prized black truffle takes centre stage at the “Sagra del Tartufo” in Rieti (last weekend of October) and Casperia (first weekend of November). These atmospheric hill towns offer truffle markets, cooking demonstrations, and pasta dishes topped with fresh shavings of the prized black tuber. Logistics tip: combine with nearby abbeys or hikes in the Sabina hills for active-gourmet itineraries.
Foos festivals are perfect for day trips or one-night extensions
Many festivals are weekend-based and most of these towns are within 90 to 120 minutes of Rome and as such are ideal for day trips or one-night extensions. Coach access and parking are generally available outside the historic centres, with shuttle buses often provided. For FITs car hire or private transfers are the best solution, and in Lazio the autumn weather is mild, although the evenings are cooler.
