Aniene Festival
Ninety days of free music, culture, and community along the banks of the Aniene
About Aniene Festival
An open-air lounge on the banks of the Aniene
Today, the Aniene Festival is one of the longest-running and most beloved events of the Roman summer. It takes place in Parco Nomentano, in the Montesacro district of Rome, the capital of the Lazio Region, within a green bend overlooking the Aniene river. The organizers themselves describe it as "a place, a lounge in the park": not just a simple concert series, but a space for social interaction that gives back to the city a piece of green space that is often forgotten for three months.
The well-established formula features a daily program with free admission, open every evening from 6:00 PM to 2:00 AM, from late May to the second half of August. Ninety consecutive days covering the entire summer, including the month of August, when much of Rome's cultural scene comes to a halt.
A multidisciplinary program
The schedule is built around weekly thematic series, each entrusted to different curators, giving every day of the week a recognizable identity. Over the years, the festival has featured events dedicated to singer-songwriters, electronic music, jazz and swing, world music, literature, and theater. Among the most popular formats are:
- Swing Factor — live concerts and free swing dance lessons;
- Female Friday Live — a series dedicated to contemporary female creativity, spanning singer-songwriting, experimentation, and electronic music;
- Giro di pista — world music evenings and traditional dances from around the globe;
- Concerti in pista and Golden Record — live performances and DJ sets for younger audiences;
- Vini & Vinili — wine tastings accompanied by vinyl listening sessions.
Alongside the music, there are book presentations, talks, contemporary circus shows, screenings, and sports activities. The festival has a distinctly popular vocation: culture is designed as an accessible good, without tickets and without barriers.
Beyond the stage: markets, food, and families
Throughout the event, Parco Nomentano hosts a large food & drink area with street food and options for various dietary needs, as well as a craft and vintage market curated by independent Roman businesses. There are also ping-pong tables, spaces for children, and areas to simply sit and chat: it is this informal atmosphere, rather than any single headliner, that explains the loyalty of the neighborhood audience.
A community festival
Born in the late 2010s, the Aniene Festival has grown alongside the Municipio III Roma Montesacro, which supports its realization. Its history is linked to that of the many local festivals that have brought life back to the parks of the Capital in recent years, with a model that combines associative management, attention to social issues, and quality programming. Each edition dedicates space to solidarity campaigns, debates, and fundraising, in line with the slogan that accompanies the event, #culturasenzapaura.
Why visit
Those visiting Rome in summer will find here an authentic alternative to the tourist circuits of the historic center: a local Roman crowd, neighborhood prices, and the chance to listen to high-quality live music without paying a single euro for entry. For those living in the city, the Aniene Festival is simply the place to spend July and August evenings when it is too hot to stay at home.
Aniene Festival — edition 2026
Aniene Festival 2026: the ninth edition
The 2026 edition of the Aniene Festival opens on Saturday, May 23, and continues until August 20, for about ninety consecutive days of free programming at Parco Nomentano in Rome. The park remains open every day from 6:00 PM to 2:00 AM, with a lineup that weaves together live music, DJ sets, theater, contemporary circus, book presentations, talks, sports activities, workshops, and moments dedicated to families.
The opening weekend, May 23 and 24, is dedicated to the « Contro l'Assedio » (Against the Siege) initiative, which combines popular sports, music, and meetings to support fundraising for sports and social projects in Palestinian territories.
Among this year's novelties, Monday debuts Circo!, a series curated by Circo MaXimo featuring contemporary circus shows for children and all ages. The regular weekly appointments also return, along with the large food & drink area and the craft and vintage market curated by Green Market Festival.
Programme Aniene Festival 2026
Weekly series
- Monday — Circo! : 2026 novelty, contemporary circus shows curated by Circo MaXimo, for children and all ages.
- Thursday — Swing Factor : live concerts and free swing dance lessons.
- Friday — Female Friday Live : format curated by Female Cut, dedicated to contemporary female artistic production, including singer-songwriting, experimentation, and electronic music.
- Sunday — Giro di pista : world music and traditional dances from around the world.
- Golden Record : meetings between music, books, podcasts, and current events, curated by Christian Raimo and Giorgia Vaccari.
- Concerti in pista : live music spanning different genres, from singer-songwriting to electronic experimentation.
- Vini & Vinili : tasting evenings with vinyl listening sessions, curated by Vigneto Roma.
Featured events
- May 23-24 — « Contro l'Assedio », opening weekend with meetings, sports, and concerts in support of Palestine, with the participation of Anna Foglietta and representatives of the Palestinian Olympic Committee, among others.
- July 16 — Swing Factor with Sara Longo & The SwingMakers and Giuseppe Ricciardo and the Two Fellows.
- July 29 — Rino Gaetano Band, official tribute to the work and legacy of one of the most beloved singer-songwriters in Italian music.
- July 31 — Female Friday Live with Morena Chiara and Bambina.
- « Mondiali senza di noi » — three special collective viewing evenings dedicated to the semifinals and final of the World Cup, curated by Christian Raimo and Giorgia Vaccari.
- Announced guests for the season include Vasco Brondi, Niccolò Ammaniti, Stefania Auci, Teho Teardo, Kety Fusco, Wrongonyou, Flo, Francesco Forni, Ilaria Graziano, and Giorgio Cuscito & The Swing Valley Band.
Updates
The calendar is published month by month on the official website (a "July 2026 program" PDF is available) and may be subject to changes: it is recommended to check official channels before each evening.
Highlights Aniene Festival 2026
- Ninety consecutive days of programming, from May 23 to August 20, 2026.
- Completely free admission, every evening from 6:00 PM to 2:00 AM.
- « Contro l'Assedio » opening weekend with solidarity fundraising.
- Debut of the Monday Circo! series, dedicated to contemporary circus.
- Female Friday Live, Swing Factor with free dance lessons, and Giro di pista.
- Rino Gaetano Band tribute on July 29 and the three « Mondiali senza di noi » evenings.
- Food & drink area, street food, and craft and vintage market.
- Spaces for children, ping-pong tables, and relaxation areas along the Aniene river.
Prices Aniene Festival 2026
Practical information — Aniene Festival
Location
Parco Nomentano, Montesacro district, Rome (Municipio III), along the banks of the Aniene river.
How to get there
- Metro: Line B1, Conca d'Oro or Jonio stop, followed by a short walk or bus ride.
- Bus: Numerous lines along Via Nomentana and Via Val d'Aosta.
- Car: Accessible from Via Nomentana and the Tangenziale Est; parking is available on nearby streets, which are often crowded on weekends.
Hours and admission
Open every evening from 6:00 PM to 2:00 AM for the entire duration of the festival. Free admission; only food, drinks, and market purchases are paid.
Tips
The program may be subject to changes: it is advisable to check the schedule on the official website or social media channels before heading out. On July and August evenings, it is recommended to arrive early to find a spot near the stage.
Festival-goer photos
No photos yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Noticed an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Every proposal is verified by our team before publication.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community.
Where does it take place — Aniene Festival
Parco Nomentano (Montesacro)
Parco Nomentano, Lungotevere dell'Aniene, 00141 Roma