Environment Festival "Seeds of Hope"

A green festival in the heart of the Castelli Romani

The Environment Festival in Monte Compatri was launched in 2025 under the title One Earth and has already established itself as one of the most popular events in the Castelli Romani summer calendar. Promoted by the Municipality of Monte Compatri, in the Metropolitan City of Rome Capital (Lazio), together with the Castelli Romani Regional Park and the Pro Loco, the event takes over Piazzale Busnago and the stretch of road known locally as the Promenade for three days: a natural viewpoint overlooking the Roman countryside that, for the occasion, fills with gazebos, workshops, and stages.

The theme: "Seeds of Hope"

Each edition features a central theme. The 2026 edition is titled "Seeds of Hope" and focuses on waste and recycling, framing them not as problems, but as opportunities for collective change and growth. The title also highlights the space that has become the symbol of the festival: the free seed exchange stand, where anyone can bring and receive seeds of local varieties to help preserve the agricultural biodiversity of the Castelli Romani.

Booths, workshops, and outreach

The daytime heart of the festival is the exhibition area hosted by various associations. Around the tables, visitors can engage with practical issues relevant to the local area: proper waste management, energy saving, sustainable mobility, protection of green areas, forest fire prevention, and combating illegal dumping. Participating entities include the Castelli Romani Park, the Beta 91 O.D.V. Civil Protection, APPHA APS, Tekneko, Ricicla, ENPA, Plastic Free, La Collina degli Asinelli, and the Consorzio Sistema Castelli Romani.

• Workshops for children and families: creative recycling, material reuse, and waste reduction
• Beeswax workshop and meetings with local beekeepers
• Seed balls: small balls of seeds to be tossed to green up neglected areas
• Book presentations and round tables with administrators, experts, and volunteers

Live music and street food

As the sun sets, the festival changes pace. From 7:30 PM until midnight, food stands run by the Pro Loco and local businesses—offering everything from porchetta and arrosticini to fried snacks and desserts—accompany the evening concerts on the square's stage. The lineup favors local bands and tribute acts beloved by the Castelli audience, with evenings ranging from interactive live karaoke to rock, blues, and progressive music. Entry to the area is free; you only pay for what you consume at the stands.

Why it's worth the trip

Monte Compatri is located just over twenty kilometers from Rome, on the slopes of the Alban Hills. The Environment Festival is a perfect opportunity to discover its medieval historic center, the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, and the trails of the Castelli Romani Regional Park. The format—environmental outreach by day, conviviality and music by night—perfectly captures the spirit of how the Castelli area celebrates its local festivals: a free, intergenerational event built from the ground up, with local associations as the true protagonists.