A 6 Zampe nel Parco

A dog-friendly festival born in the greenery of Tor Tre Teste

A 6 Zampe nel Parco is one of the longest-running and most beloved events in the eastern quadrant of Rome, in Municipio V. It takes place at the Giardino dei Demar, the mini-park on Via Davide Campari 263, just a stone's throw from the large Parco del Fosso di Tor Tre Teste. Founded in 2001 by the Amici del Parco association, the Giardino dei Demar, and the A.I.D.A. & A. association, the event reached its twenty-fourth edition in 2026, confirming itself as an early summer tradition for local families.

The format has remained the same over the years: a dog show, an afternoon outdoors, many volunteers, and a clear charitable purpose. This is not an official kennel club exhibition, but a popular festival where personality counts for much more than pedigree, and shelter-rescued mixed breeds walk alongside purebred dogs.

How the day unfolds

The event is traditionally held on June 2nd, Republic Day, when the neighborhood is out and about and the parks are full. Registration opens in the late afternoon, followed by the public parade. There are two historic categories:

• Purebred dogs, from pointers to dachshunds, Chihuahuas to Border Collies;
• Mixed breeds (the "fantasia" dogs), often the largest and most cheered category.

Alongside the parade, a free photo contest has been added over the years, dedicated to snapshots that capture daily life with one's pet. The awards ceremony closes the evening with plaques and recognition for the top finishers in each category, but no one goes home empty-handed: the event's philosophy is participation, not competition.

The heart of solidarity: the La Grande Oasi shelter

All proceeds from registration fees are donated to A.I.D.A. & A. Odv (Italian Association for the Defense of Animals and the Environment), which manages the La Grande Oasi shelter in Mazzano Romano, in the province of Rome. Here, abandoned or mistreated dogs, cats, and other animals find refuge. During the event, volunteers set up charity stalls, collect food, blankets, and medical supplies, and introduce the shelter's residents looking for adoption, including long-distance adoption options.

Over the years, additional services offered by local businesses have been added, such as free grooming and brushing sessions for the dogs present. About a dozen local shops support the initiative every year with prizes and materials.

An event that is also a call to action

Over time, A 6 Zampe nel Parco has also taken on a civic value: the organizers and the local newspaper Abitare A use the occasion to reiterate the request, made by residents for over twenty years, to create equipped dog areas in the large parks of the district. This is the typical trait of this Roman event: a lighthearted festival that carries with it a concrete demand for the quality of life in the neighborhood.

Why attend

Those looking for a massive, spectacular festival will find something else in Lazio. People come here for an authentic afternoon in the Roman suburbs, where children run in the mini-park, dogs sniff each other, and associations share their daily work in shelters. Entry to the park is free and participation is open to everyone: just show up with your dog, on a leash, and with the usual waste collection bags.