Latera Chestnut Festival

A festival born from the woods

The Latera Chestnut Festival is the autumn event that best captures the identity of this small town in the Province of Viterbo, overlooking the natural amphitheater of the Latera caldera, just a few kilometers from Lake Bolsena. Here, the chestnut tree is not merely a decorative element of the landscape but a historical resource: the woods surrounding the village have nourished generations of families and continue to produce a chestnut with firm flesh and an intense flavor, which gives the event its name.

The festival is traditionally held over the last two weekends of October, when the harvest is in full swing and the village fills with the unmistakable scent of chestnuts roasting on braziers. With the 2025 edition, the event reached its 39th year, a milestone that makes it one of the longest-running gastronomic festivals in the Alta Tuscia area.

The chestnut, the absolute star

The heart of the festival lies in the roasted chestnut stalls set up in the squares and open spaces of the historic center, where the chestnuts are roasted over large fires and served hot, accompanied by a glass of local red wine. The fruit is also celebrated in the kitchen, featured in desserts and dishes offered by the various food stands.

• Roasted chestnuts and wine in the village squares throughout the festival
• Outdoor dinners with food stands and local specialties, by reservation
• Opening of the historic cellars in the town center with tastings of local products
• Craft market featuring local exhibitors

More than just food

Over the years, the event has been enriched with a cultural and sporting program that goes far beyond mere tastings. The Museum of the Earth hosts workshops and book presentations; street artists and musicians enliven the alleys, especially on Sundays; and the evenings feature concerts and comedy shows in the square.

The Maratonina del Marrone is also very popular—a competitive road race held on the Sunday of the second weekend that attracts athletes from all over central Italy. The program is rounded out by guided hikes through the ancient chestnut groves, a perfect opportunity to explore on foot the landscape that makes the festival possible.

The village of Latera

Latera has just over eight hundred inhabitants and retains a medieval urban layout, dominated by the ruins of the Farnese ducal palace. The festival is the best time to visit: the narrow streets, small squares, and cellars opened for the occasion all become part of the festival route, in a setting that feels entirely authentic.

The village is located in one of the most evocative areas of northern Lazio, between Lake Bolsena and the border with Tuscany, in a territory that blends volcanic features, woods, and small villages. Those arriving for the festival can easily combine their visit with trips to Valentano, Gradoli, Capodimonte, or Bolsena itself.

When to go

The event is concentrated in the afternoons and evenings of Saturday and Sunday, with food stalls opening in the early afternoon. Outdoor dinners require reservations, while access to the village and public events is free. It is advisable to bring appropriate clothing: at the end of October, at over five hundred meters above sea level, the evenings can already be quite chilly.