Abbacchio Festival

A festival that tells the story of a village

Roiate is a small municipality in the Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, in the Lazio region, with just over seven hundred inhabitants clinging to the slopes of Monte Scalambra, between the Monti Ruffi and the Aniene valley. Every year, at the beginning of September, this village transforms for three days into the capital of lamb: the Abbacchio Festival, organized by the Pro Loco Roiate, has surpassed forty consecutive editions and is now a fixed appointment for locals and Romans heading to the mountains at the end of summer.

Abbacchio, a signature dish of Lazio

Abbacchio is the young lamb of the Lazio tradition, one of the most iconic products of regional cuisine. In Roiate, it is prepared according to home-style recipes: abbacchio alla cacciatora, seasoned with garlic, rosemary, vinegar, and anchovies, and abbacchio a scottadito, grilled over embers and served piping hot. The main dish is surrounded by a menu of traditional Roiate fare: rustic appetizers, pasta all'arrabbiata and homemade first courses, sausage and beans, local bread and wine, and homemade desserts. The stalls are managed by Pro Loco volunteers, who for generations have made hospitality the hallmark of the event.

Music, folklore, and evenings in the square

The festival is not just about gastronomy. The evenings are enlivened by live concerts, tribute bands, dance orchestras, and folk groups performing in the historic squares, while DJ sets accompany the late-night festivities. Past editions have featured acts like the Orchestra Mirko Casadei Big Band, ethno-folk groups, and local vocal ensembles, alongside performances of the traditional Lazio saltarello dance.

Beyond the stalls: the village opens to visitors

One of the most successful aspects of the event is the daytime program, designed to help visitors discover Roiate. Recent editions have included:

• free guided tours of the historic center, churches, and scenic viewpoints;
• photo exhibitions dedicated to the history of the festival and past editions;
• demonstrations of ricotta production and local dairy products;
• geological and nature walks on the trails around Monte Scalambra;
• rides on the panoramic tourist train for families and children.

Atmosphere

Those familiar with food festivals in the Lazio hinterland will find everything they expect here: illuminated narrow alleys, fountains, ancient doorways, long tables shared with strangers, and the scent of the grill mingling with the fresh mountain evening air. It is an authentic village festival, free from tourist artifice, where the entire community gets involved and visitors are welcomed as guests.

When to go

The festival is traditionally held on the first or second weekend of September, from Friday to Sunday. Food stalls open for lunch, generally around 12:30 PM, and for dinner from 7:00 PM onwards. It is advisable to arrive early on Saturday evenings when attendance is highest, and to check the updated program on the Pro Loco Roiate social media channels, which publish the poster in the weeks leading up to the event.