Formello Tribute Fest

A tribute festival in the shade of the Le Rughe pines

The Formello Tribute Fest is a music festival held in the pine forest of the Casal dei Pini shopping center, in the Le Rughe area, a district of the municipality of Formello, in the province of Rome (Lazio). The concept is simple and recognizable: two consecutive evenings in early June where the repertoires of great artists are performed live by tribute bands, in front of an audience of families, young people, and fans arriving from the Roman countryside north of the capital.

The event is organized by the ViViAmol'Arte association and conceived by artistic directors Max McCane and Valerio Rossi, with the patronage of the Department of Culture of the Municipality of Formello and the support of BCC Provincia Romana. It is not just a concert lineup: the stated goal is to offer young people a healthy gathering opportunity, while simultaneously promoting musical culture and local spaces, which are often underutilized in residential districts.

Tribute bands and local talent on the same stage

The format alternates between two styles. On one hand, tribute bands tackle the most beloved pop and rock catalogs: in 2026, COLD&PLAY performed the hits of Coldplay, and ZUCCHERO & DERIVATI brought the energy and bluesy nuances of Zucchero Fornaciari's repertoire to the stage. On the other hand, opening acts are entrusted to young students from the "Bottega del Suono" music workshop, directed by Marcello Cirillo: a real showcase for those studying music in the area, with short live sets performed before the main act.

This is the hallmark that distinguishes the Formello Tribute Fest from a simple cover night: the stage is shared, and the educational aspect is not just a side note but a deliberate editorial choice of the festival.

Street food and atmosphere under the pines

The gates open in the late afternoon, around 6:30 PM, when the Street Food Zone begins operating: a food & beverage area active for the duration of the two evenings, with options to enjoy outdoors between sets. The pine forest, with its canopy filtering the June sunset light, offers a natural, shaded setting, perfect for those arriving with children and those who want to stay until late at night without the heat of the town square.

Formello, the village and the Veio Park

Formello is located about twenty kilometers from Rome, in the heart of the Veio Regional Park, and preserves a medieval village gathered around Palazzo Chigi. Le Rughe, where the festival is held, is the most populous and modern district of the municipality, established as a residential settlement along the Via Cassia. The coexistence between the historic center and the districts is one of the themes of local cultural life, and events like this are born precisely to bring stable programming outside the center.

Those staying a few hours longer can combine the concert with a walk in the village of Formello, a visit to the Agro Veientano Museum, or an excursion along the trails of the Veio Park towards the Madonna del Sorbo, one of the most popular routes in the area.

Who it is for

• Local families looking for an outdoor evening without traveling to Rome
• Young people and local music students who find a real stage
• Pop and rock fans who love the live tribute format
• Those who want to combine a concert with street food in a green and informal setting

The Formello Tribute Fest remains a local-scale event, with association-based organization and a compact calendar: two nights, two main bands, one dining area. This very scale makes it an accessible appointment, where the audience knows each other and live music returns to being a community affair.