Comix Park Festival

An open-air theme park near Rome

The Comix Park Festival is the premier event dedicated to comics and pop culture in the Tiburtino area, within the Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, in the Lazio region. It takes place in Guidonia Montecelio, in Piazza Caduti di Nassiriya, utilizing the shade of the Viale Roma pine forest to create an exhibition path that feels more like a temporary theme park than a classic fair: sets, costume areas, stages, and stands are nestled among the trees, just a stone's throw from the town center.

The well-established formula has remained the same for years: three days with free admission, typically during the second weekend of May, under the patronage of the Municipality of Guidonia Montecelio and the Lazio Region. This choice has made the event a popular, cross-generational gathering that attracts both local audiences and visitors from Rome and the towns of the Aniene Valley.

What to find at Comix Park

The festival goes beyond just comics: it brings together all the languages of contemporary pop culture, from Japanese manga to television series, genre cinema, and video games. The program is built around a few staples that return every year.

• Cosplay Contest - the heart of the event, with awards for best cosplayer, best cosmaker, best show, and the audience award, plus a parade dedicated to children.
• Lightsaber shows - demonstrations and tournaments hosted by groups inspired by major sci-fi sagas.
• K-Pop contest and random dance - one of the most popular areas for younger audiences.
• Themed areas - settings dedicated to Star Wars, Harry Potter, DC Comics, Ghostbusters, and Indiana Jones, complete with photo sets and costumes.
• Board games, miniatures, and video games - free-play tables, tournaments, and demonstrations.
• Stands and exhibitors - over thirty stations featuring comic shops, collectibles, action figures, gadgets, and themed clothing.
• Artist alley and workshops - meetings with emerging illustrators and writers, as well as workshops on drawing, writing, voice acting, and cinematic makeup.
• Street food area - refreshment points active throughout the event.

Music and live shows

The evening program features cover bands and musical tributes that follow the festival's theme: film and series soundtracks, cartoon and anime theme songs, and homages to major animation productions. There is no shortage of themed quizzes, stage duels, and entertainment moments designed to involve the audience directly. In recent years, performances with LIS (Italian Sign Language) interpretation have been included, reflecting a commitment to accessibility that has become a hallmark of the event.

A festival for all ages

Comix Park was born from a local association, Sorrisi e Cartoni APS from Campolimpido, and has grown edition after edition while maintaining a family-friendly atmosphere. Sunday, in particular, is traditionally dedicated to the little ones, with creative workshops, kids' parades, and meetings with voice-acting professionals. It is an event where parents accompany their children and end up staying, recognizing characters and stories from their own adolescence.

Guidonia Montecelio and the surrounding area

Guidonia Montecelio is one of the most populous municipalities in Lazio after Rome, founded in the 20th century around the airport and the area's aeronautical vocation. However, it features a historic village, Montecelio, which preserves a medieval layout and a panorama that sweeps across the entire Roman countryside. The festival fits into a spring calendar that invites visitors to explore the surroundings: the travertine quarries, nearby Tivoli with Villa d'Este and Villa Adriana, and the Acque Albule thermal baths.

Thanks to its free admission and its location just outside the capital, Comix Park has carved out a precise niche in the Lazio comic scene, complementing the major conventions: less crowded, outdoors, and with a direct connection between authors, cosplayers, and visitors.