Latina Nerd Fest

A grassroots festival that grew fast

The Latina Nerd Fest is a celebration of pop and nerd culture held in Latina, the capital of the province of the same name in the Lazio region. Conceived and organized by the social promotion association Nerd Collective APS, led by artistic directors Roberta Lucibello and Simone Mitjans, the festival debuted in 2025 and, by its second edition, was already attracting major event numbers, with approximately twelve thousand attendees over the weekend.

The formula is simple and intentionally inclusive: free admission (with registration, as spots are limited), outdoor spaces surrounded by greenery, and a program that blends entertainment, education, and community. The slogan chosen by the organizers — "the nerd party where you can be whoever you want" — perfectly captures the welcoming spirit of the event, designed for an audience ranging from children to long-time enthusiasts.

Campo CONI, the heart of the party

Since 2026, the festival has found its home at the Campo CONI on Via Sandro Botticelli, a city sports facility that fills up with stands, stages, and themed areas for two days. Choosing a large, central venue has allowed for a significant increase in the number of exhibitors — over seventy covering comics, illustration, gaming, crafts, and independent creativity — and better management of crowd flow during peak hours.

Two stages, two souls

The festival is built around two stages that define its identity:

• Main Stage: hosts shows, concerts, contests, and meetings with national guests;
• Teddy Stage: dedicated to cultural panels, workshops, and educational activities, with a more informative and hands-on approach.

Surrounding the stages are the themed areas: the exhibitor zone with comics, manga, gadgets, and self-produced works; video game stations and tournaments; role-playing game tables with Dungeons & Dragons sessions; an interactive LEGO area; drawing and illustration workshops; and live painting and street art spaces.

Cosplay, K-pop, and Japanese culture

As with any festival of this kind, the cosplay contest is one of the most anticipated moments, filling the Main Stage in the afternoon, followed by the K-pop contest featuring choreography from amateur groups across central Italy. These two events drive much of the youth participation, which represents the most visible part of the audience. There is no shortage of anime make-up workshops, 3D modeling sessions, and creative craft labs.

The Latina Nerd Night

After 9:00 PM, the festival shifts gears: the Latina Nerd Night is the evening and most social part of the event, featuring live music, DJ sets, a food and drink area, and local community meetups. This is when the festival transforms into a true urban party, with programming that continues well past midnight.

A festival that cares about the territory

The Latina Nerd Fest is not just about entertainment. The Nerd Startup Competition, introduced in 2026, connects nerd culture with the world of youth entrepreneurship, while official merchandise — designed by local artists — is used to support animal welfare associations. This structure reflects the association's nature and its deep roots in the social fabric of Latina and the Agro Pontino.

Why it's worth visiting

For those visiting Lazio in late spring, the Latina Nerd Fest is a non-touristy and highly authentic opportunity to see a 20th-century "new town" in its contemporary, youthful dimension. Free admission, high-quality guests, and a relaxed atmosphere make it a recommended stop even for those who aren't die-hard fans, perhaps combined with a day on the Pontine coast or a visit to the nearby Circeo National Park.