Lunghezza Polenta Festival

An autumn tradition in the Lunghezza district

The Lunghezza Polenta Festival is one of the most beloved gastronomic events of the Roman autumn. It takes place in the Lunghezza district, at the eastern edge of the Rome municipality, along the Aniene valley in the Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, in the heart of the Lazio region. Every year in November, the event transforms Via delle Cerquete into a vibrant meeting point for residents and visitors alike, drawing families and authentic food lovers from across the eastern quadrant of the capital.

Polenta with sausages, the absolute star

The festival's signature dish is polenta with sausages, prepared by association volunteers according to two traditional recipes: classic polenta with tomato sauce and sausage, or polenta alla gricia, also served with sausage. What makes this festival unique is the scifa, the traditional wooden bowl in which the steaming polenta is served and which participants keep as a small souvenir from the association. The gastronomic offering is rounded out by assorted sandwiches, french fries, roasted chestnuts, and ciambelline al vino (wine-infused cookies) handmade by local ladies, all accompanied by wine and bread.

Who organizes it

The festival is conceived and managed by the Insieme per Lunghezza Association, a local volunteer group that enlivens the district with numerous initiatives throughout the year. The event was born as a community celebration, aiming to bring the neighborhood spaces to life in an atmosphere of joy, friendship, and togetherness. Proceeds support the association's activities and its local projects.

History and editions

Reaching its twelfth edition in 2025, the Lunghezza Polenta Festival is a well-established appointment: the seventh edition took place in 2019, the tenth in 2023, the eleventh in 2024, and the twelfth on November 8-9, 2025. Over the years, the event has secured a stable place in the calendar of autumn festivals in Lazio, typically held on the second weekend of November, when the cold season invites everyone to rediscover the hearty and generous flavors of traditional Roman and Lazio cuisine.

Atmosphere

The Polenta Festival is, above all, a village feast in the middle of the city: shared tables, neighborly chats, the scent of roasted chestnuts, and the warmth of a community coming together. It is the perfect opportunity to discover an authentic and convivial side of the Roman suburbs, far from the tourist circuits but rich in identity and tradition.