Equi Festival

Equi Festival, the horse celebration in the heart of Sabina

In the summer of 2026, the Equi Festival debuts in Belmonte in Sabina, a small village in the province of Rieti: five days entirely dedicated to the equestrian world, live music, and local food and wine. The event takes place from July 15 to 19 at the Bivio di Belmonte and marks its first edition, the result of over a year of work by the Cavalieri della Tavola Rotonda APS association, conceived by Domenico Santoni with the patronage of the Municipality.

Horses, shows, and the Franciscan Sanctuaries Trail

The heart of the festival is the ancient bond between humans and horses. Every evening, from 8:00 PM to 9:30 PM, the area hosts equestrian shows featuring carousels, traditional games, and the evocative canto in sella (singing in the saddle), where an artist performs live while riding. The most anticipated moment, however, is the Franciscan Sanctuaries Horse Trail, a multi-day journey along the Franciscan paths of the Rieti valley that touches some of the most evocative spiritual sites in the area: La Foresta, Greccio, Poggio Bustone, and Fonte Colombo. Over seventy riders with their horses have already joined the first edition for an experience that combines slow tourism, Franciscan spirituality, and equestrian passion.

Musical evenings

Alongside the horses, music is the great star of the evenings. It kicks off on Wednesday, July 15, with the Grand Gala of Orchestras and the Claudia Scasciafratte orchestra, for an opening night dedicated to dancing and traditional ballroom music. Thursday, July 16, features Marianna Lanteri with the show "4Ever Young — The Dance Party Show of Italy," blending music, dance, and stage design. The grand finale on Sunday, July 19, is entrusted to Luca Sebastiani, in an evening that also includes the awards ceremony and the lottery drawing.

Gastronomy, families, and traditions

Every evening, from 5:30 PM until late at night, the Bivio area comes alive with food stalls serving traditional cuisine, exhibition areas, rides, and activities designed for children. It is an event designed for families and nature lovers, where the fine food of Sabina accompanies the storytelling of popular traditions linked to horses and the rural world.

Belmonte in Sabina and slow tourism in the Rieti area

Located among the hills of Sabina, in Lazio, the Municipality of Belmonte in Sabina is part of that Rieti territory deeply marked by the journey of Saint Francis. With the Equi Festival, the village positions itself as an ideal starting point to discover the Franciscan sanctuaries on horseback and to experience a few days dedicated to the traditions, music, and genuine flavors of the Lazio hinterland.