From October 16 to 18, 2026, Rocca di Papa, in the Castelli Romani, hosts the 46th edition of the Chestnut Festival. The festival centers on Piazza della Repubblica and the Belvedere, with a route running through the streets and squares of the town center, and admission is free.
The star of the festival is the local chestnut, the “Rocchicianella”, roasted over embers according to tradition. The streets and squares of the historic center will host stalls with local products, craft markets, live music and parades in historical costume with flag-wavers. The 2026 edition focuses in particular on promoting quality agricultural products and local artisans.
Friday, October 16. The opening ceremony is at 5:00 PM in Piazza della Repubblica; from 5:30 PM the stalls open and the chestnut roasting begins, with a roaming performance by the Banda Musicale di Cave. At the Belvedere, Andrea Faranda (sax, 6:00 PM) and Gabriele Graziani (8:00 PM) play; at 9:00 PM Piazza della Repubblica hosts “DiscoRemix – Notti Magiche Remix”.
Saturday, October 17. From 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM the “Festa Esplosiva” for children takes place in Piazza Giuseppe Di Vittorio, with balloons, face painting and puppets. The Belvedere hosts Gerardo Bellanti (1:00 PM), I Ragazzi di Pirò (6:00 PM) and Assy Serafini (8:00 PM). At 5:30 PM the Library hosts the presentation of the book “Le Carbonaie – Filomena” by Isabella Santori, while the Figli di Nessuno, a Fabrizio Moro tribute band, play in Piazza della Repubblica; at 9:00 PM, also in the square, the “Tali e Quali Show”.
Sunday, October 18. At 1:00 PM there is jazz at the Belvedere with Eda Jazz Lounge; at 3:00 PM the Historical Parade in costume, “Rocca di Papa: un viaggio tra leggende, rivolte e meraviglie”, sets off from the Belvedere and reaches Piazza della Repubblica accompanied by flag-wavers. It is followed by Roman folk music with the Trio Monti (5:00 PM, Piazza della Repubblica), the parade and African dances of Inoussa Percussion (5:30 PM, Piazza Valeriano Gatta), comedian Alessandro Serra (8:00 PM, Piazza della Repubblica) and the DJ set by Paolo Noise and Wender of Lo Zoo di 105 (9:30 PM). At 11:00 PM a fireworks display from the Medieval Fortress closes the festival.
Source: Castelli Notizie, Il Mamilio, Canale Dieci