Gnocchi Festival

A tradition of taste at the gates of Rome

The Gnocchi Festival is one of the most deeply rooted gastronomic events in Castelnuovo di Porto, a municipality in the Metropolitan City of Rome, Lazio, nestled on the hills overlooking the Tiber Valley about thirty kilometers north of the capital. For over fifteen years, at the end of summer, the village transforms for three days into a large popular gathering dedicated to the iconic dish of homemade Lazio cuisine: gnocchi.

The village gnocchi take center stage

The heart of the festival is the village gnocchi, prepared according to the traditional recipe and served at long tables set up in the streets of the historic center. Alongside the main dish, the food stalls offer a genuine selection of specialties: arrosticini, sausages, fries, and other local dishes, accompanied by beer and good wine. A simple and hearty menu, designed for conviviality and suitable for the whole family.

Music, dancing, and a market

The Gnocchi Festival is not just about good food. The evenings are enlivened by live music, dancing, and entertainment, while a market of handicrafts and local products accompanies the stroll through the alleys. The atmosphere is typical of village festivals: cheerful, spontaneous, and open to all, with the lottery prize draw closing the final day.

Organizers and community

The event is organized by the La Pleiade Cultural Association of Castelnuovo di Porto, with the involvement of the local community and the support of the Municipality. It is an event built thanks to the work of volunteers, who renew the appointment with good food and popular tradition every year.

One of Italy's most beautiful villages

The festival is also an opportunity to discover Castelnuovo di Porto, included in the network of the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy. The historic center is dominated by the Rocca Colonna, an imposing 16th-century fortress, and preserves alleys, views, and churches that tell centuries of history. Visiting the village during the festival means combining the pleasure of dining with the rediscovery of Lazio's heritage, in a weekend dedicated to tradition.