HalloVino

Halloween and wine in the heart of Ciociaria

HalloVino is a themed festival in the town of Pico (Frosinone province, Lazio) that fuses the spirit of Halloween with the food and wine traditions of the Ciociaria region. It is neither an open-air nightclub nor a simple food festival: it is an immersive urban trail winding through the entire historic center, where every square, alley, and cellar becomes a stop on a two-kilometer nocturnal itinerary. The event is organized by the MANGIA&BEVI Association with the patronage of the Municipality of Pico.

Nine locations, one hair-raising trail

The core of the event consists of nine locations set up throughout the village: Piazza San Rocco, Piazza Diaz, the Clock Tower, Piazza Biblioteca, the Castle Gardens, Largo Petrarea, and Largo Carbonaro, along with private cellars opened for the occasion. Each spot has its own identity, ranging from a 'ghost cemetery' to painted horror backdrops, themed art exhibitions, and playful installations like the famous 'human coffin.' The public moves freely from one point to another, following the music and lights through what the organizers describe as a true sensory labyrinth.

Live music and DJ sets

• Live bands performing in the squares with rock, pop, and atmospheric repertoires
• DJ sets keeping the energy high until late at night
• Street performers, fire-eaters, and roaming artists
• A fortune teller and horror-themed scenery along the alleys

The alternation between acoustic stages in the gardens and high-energy spots in the squares allows visitors to experience multiple soundscapes in a single evening without ever straying far from the village center.

Wine and dining

Wine is the second soul of the event: local wineries open their doors to offer tastings along the trail, in an area—the Aurunci Mountains and the Liri Valley—where family-run viticulture is still deeply rooted. To accompany the wine, there is a wide gastronomic selection with dozens of stalls: arrosticini and skewers, smoked cheeses, gnocchi, sandwiches and burgers, fried snacks, and seasonal desserts, alongside international options like paella and empanadas. This formula has made HalloVino a benchmark for evening food and wine events in Lower Lazio.

Miss Strega and the fun side

One of the most anticipated moments is the election of Miss Strega (Miss Witch), held in Piazza San Rocco, which invites the best costumes of the night onto the stage. For the little ones, there is a dedicated kids' area, while in the afternoon, traditional trick-or-treating brings the village streets to life: it is how Pico has adapted the Anglo-Saxon tradition to the village scale, where everyone knows each other and doors truly open.

A village made for a party

Pico is a small town in Ciociaria perched at the foot of the Aurunci Mountains, known for its castle and the medieval layout of its historic center, filled with stairways, arches, and cellars carved into the rock. This architecture is the secret to the event's success: the narrow spaces, the darkness of the alleys, and the stone vaults naturally create the atmosphere that would otherwise need to be built from scratch. It is no coincidence that HalloVino has grown over a decade to become one of the most popular Halloween events in the entire province of Frosinone.

Limited access

For safety reasons, access to the event area is limited and allowed only with the purchase of an entry ticket, available on-site; admission is free for minors. A free shuttle service and a parking area for campers are available.