Bernocchi Summer Festival

A festival born from the Roman suburbs

The Bernocchi Summer Festival is one of the most successful examples of grassroots cultural regeneration in the Municipality of Rome. It takes place in Casal Bernocchi, a neighborhood in the Malafede area nestled between Via Cristoforo Colombo and the Malafede ditch, in the southwestern sector of the capital, in the province of Rome (Lazio region). The initial idea, as described by the organizers, is both simple and ambitious: to prove that culture shouldn't be a luxury reserved for the historic center, but can emerge and flourish in a suburban neighborhood through the direct participation of its residents.

Who organizes it

The event is promoted by the El Chiringuito Libre collective in collaboration with the ODV Casal Bernocchi association and under the patronage of Roma Capitale. Key figures include artist and painter Marco Capolongo and singer-musician Manolo Pecchioli, while the musical direction is entrusted to DJ MasterMole, the festival's resident DJ. Proceeds from the evenings are donated to local charitable causes; this philanthropic dimension has been an integral part of the project since its first edition in 2024.

The music: from Roman rap to reggae

The musical program is the heart of the festival, consistently prioritizing voices from the Roman scene alongside emerging local groups. Past editions have featured historic names of Roman hip hop such as Cor Veleno, Flaminio Maphia, producer Ice One, and the Pakkia Crew, alongside the reggae collective Villa Ada Posse, cover bands, tribute acts, and independent projects like Comeilmiele, Toproads, and Ed More. The evenings are hosted by THT Smile and concluded with DJ sets, including the now-iconic MercoleSpritz, the Wednesday electronic night curated by El Chiringuito Libre.

Street food, beer, and markets

• Food and beverage area with street food specialties and a selection of craft beers;
• Local artisan market, featuring exhibitors and creatives from Rome's southern quadrant;
• Merchandise stalls and local community associations;
• Refreshment points generally open from late afternoon, starting around 6:00 PM.

Kids and family space

The festival is designed for an intergenerational audience and reserves a large area for families. Activities offered over the years include: an inflatable human foosball court where kids become the players, face painting, creative workshops, mini basketball and volleyball tournaments, street performers, and magic shows. This is one of the most appreciated aspects by residents, as it makes the event accessible even to families with small children.

Why it's worth visiting

Visitors to Rome rarely venture as far as Casal Bernocchi, yet the Bernocchi Summer Festival offers something no longer found in the center: an authentic, free neighborhood festival where the audience consists largely of locals and where Roman music is heard in the context where it was born. The evenings have a relaxed, familiar atmosphere, with sunsets over the sports field, street food tables, and concerts continuing late into the night. It is also an excellent opportunity to experience how the capital's suburbs live today, just a few kilometers from the Ostia coastline and the archaeological site of Ostia Antica.