A Great Hobbit Festival
Two days in Middle-earth at the Fattoria del Vecchio Maggot, in Pontecorvo
About Hobbit Festival
A weekend in the Shire, in Ciociaria
Every summer, in the Ponte Teano district of Pontecorvo (province of Frosinone, Lazio), an ancient mill crossed by a stream and overlooking a waterfall becomes the heart of an event unlike any other in the area. A Great Hobbit Festival is the celebration that Old Maggot, a character born from the organizer's passion for Tolkien, offers his guests: two days of life in the Shire, with banquet tables, beer, music, and stories.
The setting is the Fattoria del Vecchio Maggot, a real countryside location rather than a stage set: meadows, trees, the old mill, and the river. This is why the event has grown edition after edition, attracting visitors from all over Central Italy, many of whom arrive strictly dressed as hobbits, elves, or dwarves.
What to find at the festival
The program alternates between performances and activities where the public takes an active role. The Brandywine Market gathers artisans, merchants, and themed curiosities; the Green Dragon tavern serves food and drinks from the Shire; guided tours lead to the ancient Maggot Mill and Maggot House.
- LARP and tournaments — live combat in the arena and archery tournaments.
- Board games and role-playing games — tables open for the duration of the festival.
- Horseback riding and walks along the river to the waterfall.
- Live music, dances, jugglers, and wizards among the meadows.
- The Great Hobbit Breakfast, the ritual that opens the second day.
Old Maggot's speech
The most anticipated moment is not a show but a speech: that of Old Maggot, who closes the day with reflections on Middle-earth, friendship, and the value of simple things. It is the moment that, more than any other, explains why many participants return every year and speak of the festival as a homecoming.
The new feature: the Hobbit House
The 2026 edition introduces what the organizers call the first real Hobbit House in Lazio, built on the farm and open for visits during the two days: a smial with a round door, furnishings, and carefully curated details, which naturally becomes the most photographed backdrop of the event.
The costume, almost an entrance ticket
Dressing up is not mandatory but highly recommended: cloaks, tunics, hairy feet, as well as elves, dwarves, and less reputable creatures are all welcome. It is the most immediate way to feel part of the Shire rather than just a spectator.
Pontecorvo and the Liri Valley
The Municipality of Pontecorvo is located in the southern part of the province of Frosinone, between the Liri valley and the Aurunci mountains, a short distance from Cassino and its abbey. It is a land of villages, countryside, and typical products — the famous PDO Pontecorvo pepper above all — that lends itself well to an extended weekend: the festival can be an opportunity to discover a Ciociaria less beaten by mass tourism.
Hobbit Festival — edition 2026
2026 Edition: July 17 and 18
The gates of the Shire open on Friday, July 17 from 5:30 PM and Saturday, July 18 from 10:00 AM. The formula remains the one that has made the festival grow: no spectators, only inhabitants of Middle-earth for two days.
The novelty of the year is the first real Hobbit House in Lazio, built on the farm and open to visitors. Alongside it, the ancient mill, the Maggot House, the market, the tavern, and the path along the river to the Brandywine waterfall return.
Friday evening is dedicated to walks, games, and entertainment, with an evening meeting on the Lord of the Rings universe followed by music, food, and dances. Saturday opens with the Great Hobbit Breakfast and continues with a falconry lesson, LARP combat, wizards, and jugglers, until the concluding speech by Old Maggot.
Programme Hobbit Festival 2026
Friday, July 17
- 5:30 PM — Opening of the Shire gates: Brandywine Market, Green Dragon stand with themed food and drinks.
- Visits to the ancient Maggot Mill and Maggot House; board games and role-playing games; the Brandywine Games.
- Horseback riding in the Shire, LARP archery tournament, and arena combat.
- Walks and entertainment from the Hobbit House to the Brandywine waterfalls.
- 8:30 PM — Meeting with Nerd Bori presenters dedicated to the Lord of the Rings, followed by live music, food, and dances.
Saturday, July 18
- 10:00 AM — Opening with the Great Hobbit Breakfast and Green Dragon stand.
- Falconry lesson with Leeroy Fortebecco.
- Dances, games, and magic along the riverbanks; visit to the ancient Maggot Mill.
- LARP combat, wizards, and jugglers among the public throughout the day.
- In closing, Old Maggot's speech with his reflections on Middle-earth.
The program may be subject to change: updates are published on the official website and the festival's social media channels.
Highlights Hobbit Festival 2026
- The first real Hobbit House in Lazio, a new feature of the 2026 edition.
- The Great Hobbit Breakfast on Saturday morning.
- The archery tournament and LARP combat in the arena.
- Falconry lesson with Leeroy Fortebecco.
- Old Maggot's final speech.
- The Brandywine Market and the Green Dragon tavern.
Prices Hobbit Festival 2026
Practical information — Hobbit Festival
Where
Fattoria del Vecchio Maggot, contrada Ponte Teano 31, 03037 Pontecorvo (FR), Lazio.
How to get there
By car: A1 Rome-Naples motorway, Cassino exit, then SS630 and provincial roads towards Pontecorvo (about 20 minutes). By train: Cassino station on the Rome-Naples line via Cassino, then bus or taxi. Nearest airports: Rome Fiumicino and Naples Capodichino.
Tickets
Paid admission with pre-sale on the official website: 15 euros for a two-day pass, 10 euros for a daily ticket; free admission for children up to one meter tall. Limited spots, booking in advance is recommended.
Tips
The terrain is that of a farm: comfortable, closed-toe shoes are the best choice. Middle-earth themed costumes are highly recommended. For accommodation, in addition to tent pitches when provided by the organizers, there are facilities in Pontecorvo, Cassino, and Aquino.
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Where does it take place — Hobbit Festival
La Fattoria del Vecchio Maggot
Contrada Ponte Teano, 31, 03037 Pontecorvo