Labico in Frasca

A festival born from the memory of the 'fraschette'

In Labico, a small town in the Metropolitan City of Rome at the foot of the Prenestini Mountains, the word frasca holds a specific meaning: it was the leafy branch hung on a doorway to signal that new wine and simple, authentic food were being served inside. From this popular custom, common throughout the rural Lazio region, the Labico in Frasca festival was born in 2017, bringing these traditional taverns back to the alleys of the old town every August.

How the festival works

For several consecutive evenings, the village transforms into an open-air gastronomic trail. The 'fraschette' are set up by merchants, restaurateurs, and local families, each with its own sign, kitchen, and dedicated corner of the square. Recent editions have featured eight or nine 'fraschette' with names that have become part of the festival's lore: Dal Carbonaro, Garibaldi, Torrioni di Lungano, Branca, Manna Ciò, Tor Pippo in piazzetta, Aromi, and Dal Colle al Cantinone.

• Official opening in Piazza della Libertà with a ribbon-cutting ceremony alongside the municipal administration
• Service in the 'fraschette' from early evening until midnight
• Folk groups and traditional music animating the alleys and squares
• The barrel game and the final awards ceremony

The 'fraschette' competition

The competitive heart of the festival is the challenge between the 'fraschette': each prepares a signature dish that is tasted and evaluated by a special jury. In the first edition in 2017, the judging was entrusted to chef Antonello Colonna, the name who put Labico on the map of Italian fine dining. In subsequent years, other local professionals have taken the helm, such as Michele Fiacchi of Locanda del Tasciotto and, in 2025, chef Michele Forte of Ristorante Oasi in Velletri. The prize is honorary, recognizing quality and faithfulness to tradition.

What to eat

The cuisine is that of the homes and taverns of the Castelli Romani and Prenestini areas: pasta with hearty slow-cooked sauces, grilled meats, seasonal vegetables, fried delicacies, and simple desserts, all paired with local wines. Each 'fraschetta' offers a small but carefully curated menu, served at outdoor tables where you sit next to strangers—this, even more than the food, is the true spirit of the event.

The village as a stage

Labico has a few thousand inhabitants, and its compact, uphill historic center is naturally suited for a widespread festival. During the evenings of Labico in Frasca, the lights strung between the houses, the hand-painted signs, and the music drifting from one square to another create an atmosphere that attracts visitors from neighboring towns like Valmontone, Palestrina, Colleferro, and Genazzano every year.

When to go

The event is traditionally held in the second half of August, often coinciding with the celebrations for San Rocco that mark the Labico summer. The exact dates are announced by the municipal administration a few weeks in advance, along with the musical program.