Epiphany Tombola
The village tombola that wraps up the holiday season in Jenne, featuring drawn numbers and the flavors of the Simbruini Mountains
About Epiphany Tombola
A village tombola at the foot of the Simbruini Mountains
In the winter calendar of Jenne, a town of just over three hundred inhabitants perched in the Simbruini Mountains near Rome, the Epiphany Tombola holds a special place. It may not be the largest or most famous festival in the area, but it perfectly captures the essence of winter in a village in the upper Aniene Valley: people gather, play, enjoy something warm to eat, and wait for the Befana together.
The event is organized by the Jenne Pro Loco in collaboration with the Senior Center, and this partnership explains its spirit: it is an intergenerational event where grandparents calling out the numbers and children covering the squares with beans share the same table. The tombola, the quintessential Christmas game in Italy, becomes a pretext for a community celebration.
The game and the square
The afternoon begins early, as the board is set up and the cards start circulating. People play for ambo, terno, quaterna, cinquina, and tombola, with prizes donated by local businesses: nothing flashy, but enough to spark the friendly competition that makes every draw fun. Around the game, the square comes alive with local associations taking the opportunity to introduce themselves.
The food stalls
A large part of the event's appeal lies in the food and wine, curated by local businesses and associations. Returning favorites include:
- Pallotte cacio e ova, the meatless meatballs made with cheese and eggs, typical of the central Apennines;
- Mulled wine, hot and spiced, essential in January at an altitude of 800 meters;
- Baked goods and traditional local sweets;
- Pan-fried pizzas, served at the end of the tombola.
These are hearty, rustic dishes born from a mountain culinary tradition that maintains a distinct identity in Jenne, linked to the shepherding and transhumance that have defined this part of Lazio for centuries.
A village worth the trip
Jenne is located within the Simbruini Mountains Regional Natural Park, the largest in Lazio, not far from Subiaco and the Benedictine monasteries of San Benedetto and Santa Scolastica. Visitors coming for the tombola will find a compact medieval historic center, stone alleys, views of the valley, and a winter silence that is a reason in itself to visit. The Church of Sant'Andrea, in the heart of the village, also serves as an indoor venue when bad weather requires the game to be moved under cover.
A busy winter calendar
The Tombola is not an isolated event: it is part of a series of appointments running from the Christmas period until January 6th, featuring markets, concerts, and the Befana celebration for children. It is how a small community keeps its village alive even outside the hiking season, when visitors are few and the town returns to its residents.
Who is it for?
The event is designed for families and those seeking an authentic experience, far from events built for mass tourism. Admission is free, with a symbolic contribution for the tombola cards and food available for purchase at the stalls. Those arriving from Rome or the Aniene Valley can easily combine it with a walk in the Simbruini Park or a visit to the monasteries of Subiaco.
Epiphany Tombola — edition 2026
2026 Edition
The 2026 Epiphany Tombola took place in Jenne on Saturday, January 3rd, starting at 2:30 PM. The program featured an afternoon in the square with the tombola game accompanied by a wide range of food and wine offerings curated by local businesses.
However, adverse weather conditions forced the organizers to cancel the outdoor markets and stalls. The Pro Loco announced that the tombola would still be held indoors, in the Church of Sant'Andrea, allowing the community to gather as they do every year.
The event was part of a rich winter calendar: on January 1st, the village hosted a concert with soprano Ariadna Vilardaga Gómez and a forty-piece orchestra, followed by the New Year's Eve party; on January 6th, the Befana festival dedicated to children and families was expected.
Programme Epiphany Tombola 2026
Saturday, January 3, 2026
- From 2:30 PM — Opening of the afternoon in the square and start of the tombola organized by the Pro Loco and Senior Center of Jenne
- Planned food stalls: pallotte cacio e ova (La Villetta), mulled wine (Il Lescuso Hostel), baked goods (Nonna Mirella Bakery)
- Presence of ANFFAS stands with Assuntina, Simbruina Arte, the municipal library, Via della Transumanza, and other local associations
- At the end of the event — pan-fried pizzas for all participants
Note: due to bad weather, the outdoor markets and food stalls were not set up; the tombola took place regularly inside the Church of Sant'Andrea.
The rest of the holiday calendar
- January 1, 2026, 6:00 PM — Classical concert with soprano Ariadna Vilardaga Gómez and a 40-piece orchestra
- January 1, 2026, from 11:00 PM — "Chiglio LÀ!" evening with "La Strega de Jenne" DJ set, toast with lentils and sausages
- January 6, 2026 — Befana festival for children and families (event to be confirmed)
Highlights Epiphany Tombola 2026
- The village tombola played together by grandparents and grandchildren, the heart of the event
- Pallotte cacio e ova, a poor dish of the Apennine tradition
- Mulled wine served in the January cold at an altitude of 830 meters
- Pan-fried pizzas distributed at the end of the afternoon
- The participation of local associations, from ANFFAS to the municipal library and Via della Transumanza
Prices Epiphany Tombola 2026
Practical information — Epiphany Tombola
How to get there
By car from Rome: Take the A24 to Vicovaro-Mandela, then the SS5 Tiburtina Valeria and SR411 towards Subiaco, followed by the climb to Jenne (approx. 90 km, 1h30). From Subiaco, it is about 18 km of mountain road; drive with caution in winter: winter tires or snow chains are strongly recommended.
By public transport
Cotral bus lines connect Rome (Ponte Mammolo station) to Subiaco; from Subiaco, local buses continue to Jenne, with reduced frequency on holidays. It is advisable to check schedules in advance.
Hours and prices
The tombola takes place in the early afternoon, starting around 2:30 PM. Admission is free; tombola cards have a symbolic cost, and food at the stalls is available for purchase at popular prices.
Tips
Dress warmly: Jenne is at an altitude of about 830 meters, and temperatures can drop below freezing in January. In case of bad weather, the game may be moved inside the Church of Sant'Andrea: it is best to follow the Pro Loco and Municipality channels for last-minute updates.
Where to stay
Jenne has a hostel and a few small accommodations; a wider range of options can be found in Subiaco, about twenty minutes away by car.
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Where does it take place — Epiphany Tombola
Piazza del borgo e Chiesa di Sant'Andrea