FontanArte
Art, music, and flavors between Fontana Liri Superiore and Inferiore
About FontanArte
A festival spread across the two faces of Fontana Liri
FontanArte is the most anticipated cultural event of the summer in Fontana Liri, a town in the province of Frosinone, in the heart of the Ciociaria region and the Lazio Region. The festival was born from a simple yet effective idea: using art as a tool to tell the story of the territory, its views, and its industrial and rural history. The event takes place in two iconic locations: Piazza Marconi in Fontana Liri Superiore, the ancient hilltop village overlooking the valley, and Piazza Nicola Parravano in Fontana Liri Inferiore, the modern center that developed along the Liri River.
Art born in the square
The core identity of FontanArte is the painting competition, where artists gather in the morning in the village to create their works on-site within a few hours, drawing inspiration from the town's most characteristic vistas: stone houses, narrow alleys, views of the valley, and the greenery surrounding the town. The canvases are then displayed to the public and judged by a jury. This formula transforms the squares into an open-air studio, allowing visitors to watch the painters' work take shape without filters.
Live music for every taste
Alongside visual arts, the festival gives ample space to live music. The program alternates between amateur singing competitions, tributes, and cover bands dedicated to the great names of Italian music, emerging local groups, and, on the final evenings, nationally renowned guests. The squares fill with families, young people, and curious visitors from the nearby towns of the Liri Valley, in one of those summer evenings when the entire town gathers outdoors until late at night.
Culture, books, and meetings
FontanArte is not limited to performances. Each edition hosts book presentations, meetings with local authors, and moments of cultural insight, often held in the late afternoon before the evening music takes over. This is the more intimate side of the event, confirming its cultural vocation beyond the village festival atmosphere.
Food stalls and Ciociarian flavors
No Lazio festival is complete without good food. The food stalls open in the late afternoon, offering traditional Ciociarian dishes and local specialties, from homemade pasta to grilled meats, accompanied by local wines. The formula is that of a classic village festival: popular prices, generous portions, and shared tables under the lights of the square.
A space designed for children
The final evenings dedicate an area entirely to children, with inflatables, face painting, entertainment, and group games starting in the early afternoon. This choice makes FontanArte a truly family-friendly event, where parents can enjoy the concert knowing their children have their own dedicated space.
Fontana Liri, between industrial memory and nature
It is worth arriving a few hours early to discover the town. Fontana Liri is known for its historic gunpowder factory, one of the most important industrial sites in southern Lazio, and for being the birthplace of Marcello Mastroianni, who spent his childhood here. The upper village retains its medieval layout with the remains of the castle and offers a wide view of the valley, while the Liri River and its springs offer pleasant walks even on the hottest days.
Why visit
- Free entry to all festival events
- Concerts with nationally renowned guests in a town-scale square
- The painting competition, a rare opportunity to see artists at work
- Authentic Ciociarian cuisine at affordable prices
- A village off the beaten path of mass tourism, an hour and a half from Rome
FontanArte — edition 2026
Tenth edition: an anniversary in grand style
For its tenth anniversary, FontanArte expands the program and raises the bar, bringing one of the most anticipated guests of the Lazio summer to Fontana Liri. The FontanArte Cultural Association signs a lineup that brings together the two souls of the event: on one hand, the artistic and cultural enhancement of the territory, and on the other, the popular festival open to everyone, with the collaboration of the Municipality and the support of the Lazio Region.
The festival develops across two hubs. The first is Fontana Liri Superiore, with Corso Trieste and Piazza Marconi, where the singing competition and the day dedicated to painting are concentrated. The second is Fontana Liri Inferiore, where Piazza Nicola Parravano hosts the grand finale with the main stage, food stalls, and the children's area.
All events are free entry, including registration and participation in the singing competition.
Programme FontanArte 2026
Tuesday, July 21 and Wednesday, July 22, 2026 — Corso Trieste, Fontana Liri Superiore
« Castrocaro Fontanese »: singing competition for amateur voices. Performances are evaluated by a technical jury that awards the final prizes. Registration and participation are free.
Friday, July 31, 2026 — Piazza Marconi, Fontana Liri Superiore
- Morning: painting competition « Tra scorci e natura ». Artists from the entire district create works live, inspired by the most characteristic landscapes of Fontana Liri.
- Afternoon: opening of food stalls; official presentation of the tenth edition of FontanArte; cultural meeting with the book presentation by writer Alessia Signore.
- Evening: musical show « Passo Carràbile », a tribute to Raffaella Carrà.
Saturday, August 1, 2026 — Piazza Nicola Parravano, Fontana Liri Inferiore
- 6:30 PM: opening of food stalls and the children's area, with inflatables, face painting, music, entertainment, and group games.
- 8:00 PM: live musical entertainment with « Lisebatys & Le Roi ».
- In the evening: live concert by Le Vibrazioni, one of the most beloved and successful pop-rock bands on the Italian music scene.
Highlights FontanArte 2026
- Le Vibrazioni in concert on August 1st in Piazza Nicola Parravano — the grand finale of the tenth edition
- « Tra scorci e natura », the painting competition on July 31st in Piazza Marconi
- « Passo Carràbile », the tribute to Raffaella Carrà closing the evening of July 31st
- « Castrocaro Fontanese », the amateur singing competition on July 21st and 22nd in Corso Trieste
- Children's area with inflatables and entertainment from 6:30 PM on August 1st
- Food stalls with Ciociarian cuisine specialties
Prices FontanArte 2026
Practical information — FontanArte
How to get there
By car: A1 Rome-Naples motorway, exit at Ceprano or Frosinone, then follow provincial roads towards Arce and Fontana Liri (about 20-25 minutes from the toll booth). From Rome, it is about 100 km, a one-and-a-half-hour drive.
By train: The reference station is Roccasecca, on the Rome-Cassino-Naples line, connected to Fontana Liri by local buses; alternatively, use the Frosinone station.
By plane: Rome Ciampino and Rome Fiumicino airports, then rental car.
Parking
In Fontana Liri Superiore, parking spaces are limited due to the layout of the village: it is best to leave the car along the access roads and walk up. In Fontana Liri Inferiore, around Piazza Nicola Parravano, availability is greater.
Entry and costs
Participation in the festival events is free, including the concerts in the square. Only food and drinks at the stalls are paid.
Tips
The evenings in late July and August are warm, but the hilly position of the upper village brings some coolness after sunset: a light sweater might be useful. Comfortable shoes are recommended for the stone alleys of Fontana Liri Superiore.
Where to stay
Accommodation in town is limited to a few B&Bs and farmhouses; for a wider choice, it is better to look at Isola del Liri, Sora, Arce, or Frosinone, all within a short distance.
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Where does it take place — FontanArte
Piazza Marconi (Fontana Liri Superiore) e Piazza Nicola Parravano (Fontana Liri Inferiore)