Fava Bean and Pecorino Festival

A rural celebration in the heart of the Tiber Valley

The Fava Bean and Pecorino Festival is a cornerstone of the spring calendar in Filacciano, a small village perched on a tuff cliff overlooking the middle Tiber Valley in the province of Rome, Lazio. Now in its 42nd edition in 2026, the event celebrates the simplest and most ancient culinary tradition: pairing fresh seasonal fava beans with local pecorino cheese, a ritual that has heralded the arrival of spring for generations.

May 1st in Filacciano

The festival takes place on May 1st, a day synonymous with community and rest, when the village welcomes visitors from surrounding towns and the capital. The heart of the event is the Piazzale della Fontana, where the Pro Loco sets up food stalls, welcoming guests in a warm and informal setting. It is more than just a tasting; it is a chance to rediscover the slow pace of village life, stroll through medieval alleys beneath the 17th-century Palazzo del Drago, and enjoy the viewpoints overlooking the river valley.

The flavors of the festival

The undisputed stars are the fava beans, traditionally eaten raw and served with aged local pecorino. Alongside these two signature products, the food stalls offer genuine, hearty fare:

• Platters of local cured meats and cheeses
• Traditional Lazio pasta dishes
• Grilled meats and seasonal side dishes
• Fine wine from the Castelli and Sabina regions to accompany every course

The stalls open at 12:00 PM, making lunch the centerpiece of the festivities.

Music and conviviality

The afternoon is enlivened by live music: Roberto Billi and his band take the stage, providing a soundtrack of toasts and dancing until evening with a repertoire designed for all ages. The atmosphere remains simple and authentic, true to the spirit of a village festival where food is, above all, an opportunity to connect.

Filacciano and its traditions

With just over four hundred residents, Filacciano is a village that maintains a deep bond with its landscape and rural roots. The Fava Bean and Pecorino Festival, organized by the Ente Valorizzazione Filacciano - Pro Loco, is the perfect showcase for this identity: a small-scale celebration that captures the culinary and human history of an authentic corner of Lazio in a single day.