A Natale si può!

A Christmas festival born from the neighborhood

«A Natale si può!» is the Christmas festival of the Sacra Famiglia al Portuense Parish, which every December opens its doors at Via Filippo Tajani 10 to the local residents. This is not a large city-wide event; rather, it is a day of community, built by parish volunteers and neighborhood families, which has quickly become a staple in the Christmas calendar of Municipality XI in Rome, within the Lazio Region.

The title itself reflects the spirit of the initiative: at Christmas, you can do something for others, you can be together, you can open a door. The entire day is designed so that no one is left out, from children to the elderly living alone in the district.

What to expect during the day

The program spans the entire Sunday, from morning until evening, alternating between games, music, and conviviality:

• Games and entertainment for children in the parish spaces;
• Live music and entertainment throughout the day;
• Charity market, featuring handmade crafts, sweets, and Christmas gift ideas prepared by volunteers;
• Raffle with prize draws;
• Community lunch, the central and most popular moment of the festival;
• Snack with Santa Claus dedicated to children, with photos and small gifts.

The market, in particular, is the charitable heart of the initiative: proceeds are donated to the parish's charitable works, which support families in difficulty in the Portuense district throughout the year.

Portuense, a neighborhood that comes together

The Portuense district is one of the large residential areas of Rome outside the walls, which grew along the ancient road connecting the city to the port of Fiumicino. It is a lively, working-class area where parishes, associations, and senior centers have played an important role in fostering community for decades. Festivals like this are, for many residents, the main opportunity to meet outside of working hours and the routine of apartment living.

During the same period, Municipality XI offers a busy calendar of Christmas appointments—free concerts in local churches, school sports tournaments, and initiatives in cultural centers—of which «A Natale si può!» represents the most familiar and convivial component.

Who it is for

The festival is primarily aimed at families with children, but the community lunch format makes it naturally open to everyone: the elderly, young volunteers, and new residents of the district. Entry to the spaces and activities is free; guests contribute voluntarily by purchasing raffle tickets, items from the market, or by participating in the lunch.

A growing event

Though recently established, the initiative has already solidified its format and is listed among the official Christmas events of Municipality XI on the Rome Capital website. Dates and program details are communicated year by year by the parish, usually in the weeks immediately preceding Advent, through church notices and municipal channels.