Latina Comics & Games

A pop festival in the heart of Latina

Latina Comics & Games is a festival dedicated to comics, gaming, and pop culture that enlivens the historic center of Latina, the capital of its namesake province in the Lazio region, every October. For three days, the city's pedestrian zone becomes a large open-air themed village: Piazza del Popolo, Corso della Repubblica, via Diaz, and the Circolo Cittadino host stands, stages, gaming areas, and exhibitions, while thousands of costumed visitors wander through the rationalist streets of this city founded in the 1930s.

From its 2025 debut to a landmark event

The inaugural edition, held from October 17 to 19, 2025, exceeded all expectations with over 30,000 attendees in three days, instantly establishing the festival as one of the most popular cultural events in southern Lazio. Organized by the APS Altri Caratteri association with the patronage of the Municipality of Latina and the Lazio Region, the event has already expanded for its second edition, reaching via Eugenio di Savoia and an additional stretch of the Corso.

What to expect at the festival

• Comics Area — Presentations of comics and graphic novels, meet-and-greets with authors, illustrators, and publishers, in collaboration with local entities such as Tunué, Spike Comics, and the Latina Comic School.
• Artist Alley — A space reserved for independent designers, comic artists, and creatives, expanded to provide greater visibility to local talent.
• VR Arena — The virtual reality arena set up in Piazza del Popolo, featuring immersive experiences and gaming stations.
• Board and Role-Playing Games — Open tables dedicated to role-playing games, card games, and classic board games, complete with demonstrations and tournaments.
• Cosplay — Contests, special guests from the costume world, and the grand parade that marches through the city center on Sunday afternoon.
• Re-enactments and Fantasy Combat — Armored duels and live-action activities that bring the spirit of adventure to the streets.
• Exhibitions and Workshops — Themed displays and activities for children and families, which are among the most popular parts of the program.

An educational experience

Latina Comics & Games is more than just entertainment: the opening day on Friday is traditionally dedicated to schools through the Latina Comics & School project. This initiative brings hundreds of students together for discussions on bullying, responsible social media use, financial literacy, and the language of comics as a tool for addressing complex issues. This is a core aspect that the organizers emphasize, defining the festival as a "cultural and community project" rather than just a fair.

Latina, a city perfectly suited for the event

Founded in 1932 in the heart of the reclaimed Agro Pontino, Latina features a compact, pedestrian-friendly center that is perfect for a distributed event. From the monumental Piazza del Popolo, home to the Town Hall and the civic tower, all festival venues are just a short walk away. The urban village format allows visitors to alternate between gaming areas and breaks at the cafes and restaurants along the Corso, or even combine the festival visit with a day at the beach in Latina Lido or an excursion to the nearby Circeo National Park.

Why it's worth visiting

The festival combines the popular appeal of large comic conventions with a human-scale atmosphere, offering free admission and a friendly vibe that involves the entire city. Families, manga fans, gamers, and curious passersby all mingle in the same spaces. It is the perfect opportunity to discover the local creative scene and enjoy a unique autumn weekend in Lazio.