Natale in Festa (Spigno Christmas Village)
A month of concerts, markets, theatre, and Christmas traditions between Spigno Superiore and Spigno Inferiore
About Natale in Festa
Christmas in the Aurunci village
Every year, between the beginning of December and Epiphany, the Municipality of Spigno Saturnia—a small town in the province of Latina, in southern Lazio, nestled on the slopes of the Aurunci Mountains—transforms its squares into a grand holiday village. Natale in Festa is the unique program that brings together all the Christmas season initiatives: a full month of concerts, theatre, markets, bingo, and events for children, developed in partnership with the Pro Loco, the parish, and local associations, with the support of the Lazio Region.
A program spread throughout the town
The festival takes place in several locations: Piazza San Giovanni in Spigno Superiore, the Municipal Park, the San Giovanni Parish, the Virgilio Zangrilli school, and the Canzana Multipurpose Center, which becomes the heart of family activities. It begins with the lighting of the Christmas tree decorated by the children and Christmas readings in the library, continuing with Advent concerts, the arrival of the Light of Bethlehem, and school choir performances.
The Spigno Christmas Village and markets
Around the year-end holidays, the Spigno Christmas Village takes shape: Christmas markets, local craft stalls, and tastings of typical products, starting with the zeppolone, a local De.co. specialty made with wild chicory, bread, oil, and olives. It is the moment when Aurunci gastronomic tradition meets the Christmas atmosphere, amidst folk music and re-enactments of rural life from the past.
The Làvela and folk music
Among the most iconic rituals is the lighting of the Làvela, the large traditional bonfire that illuminates Piazza San Giovanni during the final days of December, accompanied by markets and folk music performances. The most anticipated musical moment is the concert by Ambrogio Sparagna, a master of Italian folk music and founder of the Italian Popular Orchestra, who has brought his musical tale of Christmas, «L'Avvenuta Profezia», to Spigno Saturnia, featuring bagpipes, shawms, and traditional songs.
Children and families at the heart
Much of the program is designed for the little ones: Santa's fireplace in the library, Christmas theatre shows, the holiday film club, bingo nights—including the charity event with AIPD—and the grand finale of the Pajama Party with the Befana at the Canzana Multipurpose Center, which concludes the festival on January 5th. A community Christmas where every generation finds something to enjoy.
Why visit
- A month of events spread throughout an authentic village in southern Lazio
- The folk music concert by Ambrogio Sparagna
- The De.co. zeppolone and the flavours of Aurunci cuisine
- The evocative lighting of the Làvela in Piazza San Giovanni
- Markets, crafts, and many free activities for families
Natale in Festa — edition 2026
The 2025-2026 program of Natale in Festa involved the entire community of Spigno Saturnia for nearly a month, from December 7, 2025, to January 5, 2026. It started with the tree decoration at the Municipal Park and Santa's Fireplace in the library, continuing with the Immaculate Conception gospel concert, the Light of Bethlehem, theatrical performances at the Virgilio Zangrilli school, and school choir exhibitions.
The highlight weekend, between December 27 and 29, concentrated the lighting of the Làvela in Piazza San Giovanni, markets with folk music re-enactments, and the «L'Avvenuta Profezia» concert by Ambrogio Sparagna. The grand finale took place at the Canzana Multipurpose Center with the AIPD charity bingo and the Pajama Party with the Befana.
Programme Natale in Festa 2026
2025-2026 Program
- Sunday, December 7 — 10:00 AM «Santa's Fireplace» (Library and Canzana Multipurpose Center); 10:00 AM «Decorating the Christmas Tree» at the Municipal Park
- Monday, December 8 — 7:00 PM Phoenix Gospel Choir concert (San Giovanni Parish)
- Saturday, December 13 — 6:00 PM Arrival of the Light of Bethlehem (San Giovanni Parish)
- Sunday, December 14 — 6:00 PM Theatre show «Te Piace 'o Presebbio?» (Virgilio Zangrilli School)
- Thursday, December 18 — 10:00 AM «Christmas is here!», school choir performance
- Sunday, December 21 — 10:00 AM «Waiting for Santa» in Piazza Dante; 6:00 PM Film club «The Magic of Christmas with the Grinch»
- Tuesday, December 23 — 6:30 PM Bingo (San Giovanni Parish)
- Saturday, December 27 — Piazza San Giovanni, Spigno Superiore: 10:00 AM Lighting of the «Làvela», Christmas markets, and folk music re-enactments; 7:00 PM Performance by Mario Tribuzio
- Sunday, December 28 — 11:30 AM «L'Avvenuta Profezia», concert by Ambrogio Sparagna (Piazza San Giovanni)
- Monday, December 29 — 6:00 PM Theatre «Santa Claus Rockstar» (Virgilio Zangrilli School)
- Sunday, January 4 — 4:00 PM AIPD Bingo (Canzana Multipurpose Center)
- Monday, January 5 — 4:00 PM Pajama Party with the Befana (Canzana Multipurpose Center)
Highlights Natale in Festa 2026
- «L'Avvenuta Profezia» concert by Ambrogio Sparagna in Piazza San Giovanni
- Lighting of the Làvela with markets and folk music (December 27)
- Spigno Christmas Village: crafts, food and wine, and De.co. zeppolone
- Gospel concert by the Phoenix Gospel Choir for the Immaculate Conception
- Pajama Party with the Befana to close the festivities (January 5)
Prices Natale in Festa 2026
Practical information — Natale in Festa
How to get there
Spigno Saturnia is located in the southern Pontine area, between Formia and Esperia. By car: SS630 Formia-Cassino, exit Spigno Saturnia. By train: Formia-Gaeta station (Rome-Naples line), then COTRAL bus towards Spigno Saturnia.
Admission
Events in the squares and markets are free to access; activities for children at the Canzana Multipurpose Center are free of charge.
Tips
Events are divided between Spigno Superiore (old town, Piazza San Giovanni) and Spigno Inferiore (Canzana Multipurpose Center): please check the location of each event on the program published by the Municipality and the Pro Loco.
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Where does it take place — Natale in Festa
Piazza San Giovanni e Centro Polivalente Canzana
Piazza San Giovanni, 04020 Spigno Saturnia