Cherry Festival
Two days of cherries, allegorical floats, and tradition in the village of the Lepini Mountains
About Cherry Festival
A festival that tells fifty years of rural history
The Maenza Cherry Festival is much more than just a food fair: it is the collective story of a town that, for over half a century, has celebrated the fruit that defined its economy and landscape. In 2026, the event reaches its 51st edition, a milestone that confirms it as one of the most established events in the Lazio Region's calendar of popular festivals. The event is organized by the Municipality of Maenza in collaboration with the Pro Loco and under the patronage of the Lazio Region.
Maenza, a village in the Lepini Mountains
Maenza is located in the province of Latina, perched on the slopes of the Lepini Mountains, not far from the Pontine Plain. Its medieval historic center, dominated by the Baronial Castle, preserves stone alleys, arches, and panoramic views that become the natural stage for the festival. The hills surrounding the village are planted with cherry trees: the June harvest is the moment when the community comes together, and the festival was born precisely as a harvest celebration.
What to eat
The heart of the event remains the distribution of cherries offered by local producers, but the culinary offerings are much broader. The food stalls set up in the historic center offer traditional Lepini dishes, while some specialties are directly linked to the star fruit.
- Fresh cherries from local growers, distributed along the festival route
- Giuncata del pastore (shepherd's fresh cheese) served with cherry jam, a traditional tasting in Piazza Santa Reparata
- Cannaulli di ciliegie, the characteristic handmade fruit compositions created according to local custom
- Typical dishes and local products at the food stalls
The allegorical floats, the most anticipated moment
Sunday afternoon is dedicated to the parade of allegorical floats, the tradition that identifies the Maenza festival more than any other. The floats, built by hand by local groups, stage scenes of rural life and sketches performed in dialect, accompanied by marching bands and folk groups. It is a participatory ritual that involves entire families in the preparation, making the event a true re-enactment of the popular culture of the Lepini, not just a simple food exhibition.
Music, street performers, and workshops
Alongside the historical events, the program has been enriched over the years with cultural offerings and widespread entertainment. Over the two days, there are live concerts, evening DJ sets, juggling and fire shows by street performers, entertainment and play workshops for children, as well as craft workshops dedicated to ancient skills like basket weaving. There are also guided walks in the historic center and pony rides for the little ones.
The Baronial Castle
During the festival, the Baronial Castle of Maenza opens its halls to host art exhibitions, photography displays, and craft showcases. A visit to the manor, which dominates the village from above, is one of the best opportunities to discover the town's historical heritage and enjoy the view over the Amaseno Valley and the Lepini Mountains.
Why it's worth the trip
The Maenza Cherry Festival is the perfect event for those looking for an authentic Lazio experience, away from mass tourism circuits. Admission is free, the atmosphere is that of a village festival shared by the entire community, and its proximity to Rome and Latina makes it a perfect day trip for a June weekend.
Cherry Festival — edition 2026
The 51st edition
The 2026 edition of the Maenza Cherry Festival was held on June 6 and 7, organized by the Municipal Administration in collaboration with the Pro Loco and under the patronage of the Lazio Region. The program combined the historical events of the festival — the distribution of cherries, food stalls, and the parade of allegorical floats — with a broader cultural offering, including guided walks, intergenerational workshops, juggling, and concerts.
Saturday opened with a poetic walk in the historic center and workshops at the Bouffemont Gardens, continuing with the tasting of giuncata with cherry jam in Piazza Santa Reparata and craft demonstrations of basket weaving and cherry "Cannaulli". The evening was dedicated to music and fire juggling.
On Sunday, after pony rides and the opening of the stalls, the afternoon came alive with the marching band and the parade of allegorical floats through the village streets, followed in the evening by live music, flag-wavers, and a comedy show.
Programme Cherry Festival 2026
Saturday, June 6, 2026
- 9:30 AM — My Best Lazio poetic walk in the historic center (by reservation)
- Morning — Sfera Sociale intergenerational workshops at the Bouffemont Gardens
- 12:00 PM — Opening of food stalls; in Piazza Santa Reparata, tasting of giuncata with cherry jam, basket weaving demonstration, and creation of cherry "Cannaulli"
- Afternoon — Play workshops and juggling with street performers, children's entertainment
- 6:00 PM — DJ set with DJ Ameri and activities for children
- Evening — Fire juggling show
- 10:00 PM — Concert by the Marrakech Express Blues Band
Sunday, June 7, 2026
- 9:00 AM — Pony rides for children
- 10:00 AM — Opening of food stalls
- 11:00 AM — Events, art, photography, and craft exhibitions at the Baronial Castle
- 3:00 PM — Cherry Festival and parade of allegorical floats with the "Bizzarri" Band, the Funky Robbers Band, flag-wavers, and Ucianello
- 8:30 PM — Live music, performance by the Carpineto flag-wavers, and a comedy show by Emanuela Aureli
Over the two days: distribution of cherries from local producers, guided tours of the historic center and the Baronial Castle, and street performers throughout the village.
Highlights Cherry Festival 2026
- The allegorical float parade on Sunday afternoon, handmade by local groups with sketches performed in dialect
- The free distribution of cherries offered by producers from the Lepini Mountains
- The tasting of giuncata del pastore with cherry jam in Piazza Santa Reparata
- The concert by the Marrakech Express Blues Band on Saturday evening
- The comedy show by Emanuela Aureli and the Carpineto flag-wavers on Sunday evening
- Art, photography, and craft exhibitions at the Baronial Castle
Prices Cherry Festival 2026
Practical information — Cherry Festival
How to get there
By car: from Rome, take the SS7 Via Appia or the A1 motorway (Frosinone exit), continuing towards Priverno and Maenza. From Latina, you can reach the village in about 40 minutes via the Lepini Mountains road.
By train: the nearest station is Priverno-Fossanova, on the Rome-Naples line via Formia, from which you can continue by bus or taxi to Maenza.
Parking and shuttles
The historic center is closed to traffic during the event. Parking areas are set up in the lower part of the village; in recent editions, a free shuttle service to the center has been provided.
Admission and costs
Admission to the festival is free. You only pay for what you consume at the food stalls. The distribution of cherries from local producers is complimentary.
Tips
The village is hilly and paved: comfortable shoes are recommended. Reservations are required for the poetic walk and some workshops. Information at the Municipality of Maenza, tel. +39 0773 951310.
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