Chestnut Festival

A festival dedicated to the Lepini Mountains chestnut

The Chestnut Festival is the quintessential autumn event in Rocca Massima, the highest municipality in the province of Latina, overlooking the Pontine Plain from the Lepini Mountains. Every October, the small historic center transforms for two weekends into a bustling village market dedicated to the local chestnut—a sweet, large-sized variety that grows in the surrounding groves and has long been a vital economic resource for the area.

Who organizes the festival

The event is promoted by the La Castagna di Rocca Massima Association in partnership with the local municipal administration. Established to promote local production and regional traditions, the association has spent years managing the setup of stands, coordinating producers, and curating the entertainment schedule. In 2025, the festival reached its nineteenth edition and remains one of the most popular events in the autumn calendar of southern Lazio.

What to eat

The heart of the festival is, of course, gastronomic. Around the fires lit in the main square, roasted chestnuts are prepared and served hot, paired with local wine from the Castelli and Lepini areas. The food stands and communal dining areas offer dishes that showcase the rustic cuisine of the Pontine hinterland:

• chestnuts roasted over an open flame;
• chestnut-based soups and broths;
• cakes, tarts, and chestnut jams;
• honey, local products, and preserves from regional producers;
• polenta, the star of one of the closing days.

The village and the market

Throughout the festival, the streets of the historic center host stalls featuring handicrafts, agricultural products, sweets, and souvenirs. It is the perfect opportunity to explore a village that, thanks to its altitude, offers one of the most expansive views in Lazio: on clear days, the gaze stretches from the Pontine Plain all the way to the sea and the islands. Many editions also feature guided tours of the chestnut groves, providing an up-close look at how chestnuts are harvested and selected.

Entertainment and shows

Alongside the food, the festival offers a program of folk entertainment: parades by the Rioni di Cori flag-wavers, mounted patrols, dance school performances, live music, and gatherings of tractors, Vespas, and quads, as well as activities and games designed for families and children. The lighting of the roasting fires, following the historical procession, traditionally marks the official opening of the festivities.

When to go

The event is usually held over two weekends in October, when the chestnut harvest is in full swing and the Lepini woods are painted in autumn colors. It is an ideal day trip from Latina, Velletri, Rome, or the Castelli Romani, which can be combined with a walk along the trails starting from the village.