Latium World Folkloric Festival in Paliano

An international folk festival in Lazio

The Latium World Folkloric Festival is the premier event in the Lazio region dedicated to world traditional folk music and dance. Founded by the Latium cultural association and the Municipality of Cori, the festival is recognized by CIOFF (International Council of Organizations of Folklore Festivals and Folk Arts), an official partner of UNESCO, and is supported by the Lazio Region along with the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Tourism.

Every summer, the festival travels like a caravan through the historic towns and cities of Lazio—including Cori, Rome, Segni, Tivoli, Latina, Cisterna, Gaeta, Sabaudia, Rocca Massima, and, of course, Paliano—bringing a unique evening to each location, tailored to the guest groups of that year.

The Paliano stop

Paliano is a town in the Frosinone province of Lazio, overlooking the Sacco Valley and dominated by the massive Colonna fortress. Its compact, uphill historic center provides the natural backdrop for the event: in past editions, groups have paraded in the late afternoon from Piazza XVII Martiri to Piazza Marcantonio Colonna, before performing in the evening on the stage set up in the square.

The Paliano leg is now a staple of the Estate Palianese, the summer program promoted by the municipal administration alongside local associations and committees, which features a mix of music, culture, tradition, and entertainment from June to August.

What to expect

• The folk parade: Groups march through the historic center in traditional costume, accompanied by bands, percussion, and flags, engaging the public along the route.
• The evening show: Each ensemble presents a short program of dances and songs from their home country, often introduced by an explanation of the ritual or social significance of the pieces.
• Cultural exchange: Alongside international groups, local ensembles from Lazio participate, showcasing the folk repertoire of the Ciociaria and Castelli areas, creating a direct dialogue between distant traditions.

Guest groups

The lineup changes every year. Recent editions have hosted groups from Colombia, Benin, Ecuador, Puerto Rico, Mexico, New Zealand, Martinique, Peru, and Spain; for 2026, the Lazio circuit has announced groups from Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, The Gambia, Easter Island, Ukraine, and Italy. These are mostly youth ensembles traveling with their own musicians and authentic traditional wardrobes.

Why it's worth the trip

More than just an exotic spectacle, the Latium Festival is a project of intercultural dialogue: the young performers are welcomed into the local community, eating and sleeping in the host towns, and the evening performance is the public culmination of an encounter that lasts for days. For those visiting Lazio in the summer, it is also a chance to discover a village like Paliano off the beaten path, on an evening when the historic center comes alive until late.

Admission to the festival shows is free.