Maggio Sermonetano

A village that becomes a festival

Every year throughout May, Sermoneta—one of the best-preserved medieval villages in the Lazio region, perched on the Lepini Mountains in the province of Latina—transforms into a grand open-air stage. The Maggio Sermonetano is a multidisciplinary festival that, since 1996, has brought live music, art, performances, meetings, and workshops to the alleys, squares, and monuments of the historic center: from the Loggia dei Mercanti to the Belvedere, from the Church of San Michele Arcangelo to the Giardino degli Aranci, and the Workshop of Arts and Crafts.

Thirty years of history

Originally conceived as a spring festival for the village, the event has grown into a cornerstone of the Lazio cultural scene. In 2025, it celebrated its 30th anniversary with an opening performance by Placido Domingo Jr., while the 2026 edition—the thirty-first—chose the theme "the mind and the breath," an invitation to slow down and find awareness through yoga, ensemble music, and ancient artisanal techniques.

What to experience at Maggio Sermonetano

The program is spread across the weekends of May and blends different artistic languages, offering high-quality entertainment for all ages:

• Concerts at the Belvedere and in the village churches: classical music, singer-songwriter performances, folk music from Southern Italy, and world music;
• Folk band parades on Sundays, featuring groups such as Fanfaroma, Cecafumo, and the Fabrizio Caroso band of Sermoneta, accompanied by youth ensembles from local schools;
• Craft and creative workshops: clay modeling, ceramic decoration, cheesemaking, lutherie, ensemble music, and traditional dances;
• Exhibitions and installations of visual arts and photography in the monumental spaces of the historic center;
• Street performances, theater, and readings for both adults and children.

Craftsmanship and lutherie, the heart of the festival

A distinctive feature of the festival is its focus on artistic trades: exhibitions dedicated to lutherie, featuring masters like Mario Andreoli and Pietro Melia, showcase the construction of traditional instruments, while the Workshop of Arts and Crafts hosts workshops open to the public. It is a way to rediscover the slow pace of handmade work, perfectly in tune with the spirit of the event.

A free and widespread festival

All events at the Maggio Sermonetano are free of charge. The festival is promoted by the Maggio Sermonetano Association under the artistic direction of Massimo Gentile, with the support of the Municipality of Sermoneta, the Workshop of Arts and Crafts, the Fabrizio Caroso band, and the DMO from the Lepini Mountains to the Sea. For those visiting the province of Latina in spring, it is the ideal opportunity to discover one of the most evocative villages in Lazio, including the Castello Caetani, the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, and the panoramic views over the Pontine Plain.