Lamb Festival and Gastronomy Feast

Two weekends of festivities in Colle di Fuori

The Lamb Festival and Gastronomy Feast is the most anticipated summer event in Colle di Fuori, a village in the municipality of Rocca Priora nestled on a hill 410 meters above sea level in the heart of the Castelli Romani, in the province of Rome, Lazio. Every year at the end of August, the village opens its doors for two consecutive weekends, welcoming visitors from Rome, San Cesareo, and across the Alban Hills. The atmosphere is that of a classic village festival: an outdoor food stand, long communal tables under the lights, a stage for live music, and an entire community working in the kitchen.

A tradition spanning over half a century

Few festivals in Lazio can boast such longevity. The event celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2023, reached its 52nd in 2025, and arrives at its 53rd edition in 2026: over half a century of history built by local committees and the families of Colle di Fuori, who have passed down recipes and organizational duties from generation to generation. It is not a tourist-driven event, but a community celebration that has become so popular over time that it has outgrown the village, now appearing on the official event calendars of the Metropolitan City of Rome Capital.

Grilled lamb, the signature dish

The undisputed star is the grilled lamb, cooked on outdoor charcoal grills according to the pastoral traditions of the Castelli Romani, a region where sheep farming has defined the life of hill towns for centuries. The menu is extensive and has recently included:

• fettuccine with lamb ragù, handmade;
• pappardelle with white ragù and mezzemaniche all'amatriciana;
• sheep arrosticini and coratella, for those seeking bolder flavors;
• lamb alla cacciatora, stewed with vinegar and aromatic herbs;
• seasonal side dishes, local cheeses, and homemade desserts;
• Castelli Romani wines, from Frascati to the whites of the Alban Hills.

In recent years, the traditional menu has been complemented by pinsa, supplì, and fried snacks, designed especially for families with children and those looking for a quick bite without missing out on the evening's fun.

Live music and dancing

The culinary experience is always paired with a program of free entertainment. Every night, a different act takes the stage: local bands, ballroom orchestras, accordion players, traditional Roman folk singers, and karaoke or piano bar sessions, which are often also available during Sunday lunch. It is intentionally popular and intergenerational entertainment, where tables clear out mid-evening as people head to the dance floor until late.

Colle di Fuori and the Castelli Romani Park

The village is located within the protected territory of the Castelli Romani Regional Park, an area of chestnut and beech forests surrounding the craters of Lake Albano and Lake Nemi. Rocca Priora, at 768 meters, is the highest town in the Castelli Romani and is known as the "balcony of Lazio" for the panoramic views it offers toward the Roman countryside and the Prenestini Mountains. Visitors to the festival can easily combine a culinary evening with a day of hiking in the woods, a visit to the historic center of Rocca Priora, or a tour of Frascati, Monte Porzio Catone, and Nemi.

A popular and accessible event

Admission to the festival area is free; you only pay for what you consume, with affordable prices typical of village festivals. No reservations are needed: simply purchase tickets at the counters, collect your food at the stalls, and sit at the communal tables. It is an event suitable for all ages, very popular with families and groups of friends, and represents one of the most authentic ways to experience the traditional cuisine of the province of Rome, far from the tourist circuits of the city center.