Antrodoco Autumn Festival

A festival scented with chestnuts

When autumn paints the Apennine woods in shades of copper, Antrodoco — a small village in the province of Rieti, in the heart of Lazio — transforms into the capital of its most precious product: the Marrone Antrodocano. The Autumn Festival is a historic event held every late October to celebrate this sweet, prized chestnut, which holds the De.C.O. (Municipal Denomination of Origin) quality label, protecting its heritage and tradition.

Reaching its 31st edition in 2025, the event is organized by the Pro Loco of Antrodoco and draws thousands of visitors to the historic center, all attracted by the aroma of roasted chestnuts and the warm hospitality of the Rieti region.

The Marrone Antrodocano, the star of the show

The heart of the festival is the Marrone Antrodocano stand, where you can purchase and taste chestnuts freshly harvested from the groves surrounding the village. The chestnut also takes center stage in the kitchen, with themed lunches served under the marquee: strozzapreti pasta with porcini mushrooms, sausage and chestnuts, chestnut mashed potatoes, sausage with pink grapes, and autumn desserts. The distribution of roasted chestnuts, paired with local wine, is an unmissable tradition.

Markets, music, and shows

Throughout the festival, the historic center hosts a local produce market and the "Il Tarlo" antique market, featuring art and handicrafts. Visitors can also enjoy open monuments, guided tours, and a rich entertainment program: from majorette performances to saxophone concerts, drum troupes to live musicians, and the CastaNight Party with DJ sets in Piazza Marconi.

Le Vie del Marrone and the Alta Via del Marrone

The Autumn Festival is about more than just gastronomy. The second weekend, spanning November 1st and 2nd, is dedicated to nature and outdoor sports enthusiasts:

• "Le Vie del Marrone": a mountain bike tour along a route through woods and hills, with refreshment stops featuring tarts and roasted chestnuts;
• "Alta Via del Marrone": a trekking excursion in collaboration with the CAI (Italian Alpine Club) through ancient chestnut groves, with a stop at a mountain hut and a final lunch in the town square.

These initiatives are what bind the festival so closely to the territory: walking or cycling through the chestnut groves of the upper Velino Valley means discovering an authentic Apennine landscape, where harvesting chestnuts is an ancient ritual passed down from generation to generation.

A village to discover

Nestled at the mouth of the Velino Gorges, at the foot of Mount Giano with its famous forest shaped like the word "DUX", Antrodoco preserves medieval churches, fountains, and alleys that provide the perfect backdrop for the festival. Attending the Autumn Festival is the perfect opportunity to combine the pleasure of fine Rieti cuisine with the discovery of one of the most characteristic villages in the province of Rieti.