Autumn and Flavors Festival

An autumn festival by the sea

The Autumn and Flavors Festival is a food and wine event that, in the heart of November, brings the Marina di Nettuno Tourist Port to life in the town of Nettuno (Metropolitan City of Rome, Lazio). Established in 2025 on the initiative of the Pro Loco Forte Sangallo with the patronage of the municipal administration, the festival is designed as a true village of taste set up along the docks, where the scent of roasted chestnuts mingles with the breeze of the Tyrrhenian Sea.

The underlying idea is simple yet effective: to extend the tourist season of a seaside town, bringing visitors back to the waterfront even long after the summer season has ended. Thus, a November weekend becomes the perfect opportunity to rediscover the agricultural and maritime identity of this stretch of the Lazio coast.

The flavors of the Lazio autumn

The heart of the event lies in the food stalls, where seasonal local specialties take center stage. Among the most popular offerings of the first edition:

• Roasted chestnuts and mulled wine, offered to visitors at the entrance on the opening day;
• Porcini mushroom fettuccine and pumpkin pasta, iconic dishes of autumn cuisine;
• Arrosticini and grilled sandwiches, for an informal meal by the port;
• An agri-food market with stalls from local producers, featuring seasonal vegetables, preserves, olive oil, and honey.

Alongside the tastings, there are cooking shows and masterclasses curated by students and teachers from the Apicio Colonna Gatti hospitality institute, dedicated, for example, to traditional snacks and rustic soups. There is no shortage of educational moments: in the first edition, a "gastrology" meeting explored the history of bread and ancient grains, showing how food culture is an integral part of the local heritage.

Music, dance, and families

The festival is not just about food. Each day features dance performances, cheerleading exhibitions by local sports clubs, evening karaoke, and live concerts by local bands, keeping the port lively until late. For children, the Gonfiabilandia inflatable play area is set up for the duration of the event, allowing families to relax between stalls.

A distinctive feature of the event is the involvement of the local community: schools, volunteer associations, and non-profit organizations participate with information booths and charity initiatives, such as the UNITALSI fundraiser to support pilgrimages.

Nettuno, between Forte Sangallo and the Medieval Village

Visitors coming for the festival can easily extend their visit to the historic center. A few steps from the port are the Forte Sangallo, a 16th-century fortress that gives its name to the organizing Pro Loco, and the charming Medieval Village with its alleys overlooking the sea. Nettuno is also known for the Sanctuary of Santa Maria Goretti and the American Monumental Cemetery, a testament to the 1944 Allied landings at Anzio-Nettuno.

Why it's worth visiting

The Autumn and Flavors Festival is a young event, but already very popular: the first edition recorded excellent attendance despite the bad weather. It is a perfect destination for those looking for a day trip from Rome or the Castelli Romani, offering the tried-and-tested formula of a village festival in the unusual setting of a tourist port. Free admission, a family-friendly atmosphere, and affordable prices complete the picture.