Natale nel Borgo

Christmas in the village of the waterfall

Isola del Liri is one of the most recognizable villages in the Lazio region: in the heart of the historic center, the Liri River plunges over the Cascata Grande, a waterfall over twenty meters high, right in front of the Castello Boncompagni-Viscogliosi. When the town lights up for the holidays, this natural setting becomes the backdrop for Natale nel Borgo, the Christmas program promoted by the Municipality of Isola del Liri, in the province of Frosinone, in the heart of the Ciociaria region.

The event was established in 2024 and immediately established itself as one of the most popular winter appointments in the Liri Valley. It is not a single event, but a widespread calendar that spans over a month, from the lighting of the illuminations on December 8th to the Befana on January 6th, involving squares, churches, outlying districts, exhibition galleries, and the municipal theater.

Quality music, from jazz to classical

The artistic heart of the festival is music. Two themes intertwine throughout the holiday period:

• Natale in Jazz, featuring evening concerts at the Teatro Comunale Costanzo Costantini;
• Quartieri, a series of five classical music concerts distributed across the various districts of the city, designed to bring high-brow music outside the historic center and reach residents in the more peripheral neighborhoods.

These are joined by the traditional New Year's concert and the Grand Christmas Concert that ideally closes the program at the beginning of January. The artistic direction is curated with the contribution of the To Music association and the support of the Lazio Region through LAZIOcrea.

Theater, cinema, and exhibitions

Alongside the concerts, the program offers theatrical performances, conferences, and exhibitions. A novelty of recent editions is the space dedicated to cinema, created in collaboration with the Pro Loco, which brings screenings and meetings related to the independent film circuit to the town. The village galleries host Christmas-themed exhibitions, including the historic nativity scene display, a local tradition that has been running for over twenty years and remains one of the most beloved attractions for families.

Markets, flavors, and neighborhood festivals

The popular dimension of the festival is entrusted to local associations. In the upper part of the town, along Via Arpino, Natale è… takes place, two days featuring bingo, food stalls, market stands, a tourist train, and attractions for the little ones. The streets of the center host craft markets and typical products of the Ciociaria region: cheeses, cured meats, holiday sweets, and artisanal crafts that tell the story of the manufacturing vocation of a town historically linked to paper mills.

For children and families

Natale nel Borgo dedicates a substantial part of the calendar to children. The arrival of Santa Claus, entertainment in the squares, and above all the Befana party on January 6th at the Teatro Costantini close the holiday period with a highly attended afternoon show. It is a structure designed so that the whole family can follow the festival without leaving the village.

Why it's worth the trip

Isola del Liri represented the Lazio Region in the televised "Borgo dei Borghi" competition, and those who arrive in winter immediately understand why: the lights reflected on the water of the waterfall, the narrow alleys of the center, the illuminated castle. Adding a month of free or low-cost concerts to this setting means discovering an authentic Ciociaria, far from the most beaten tourist paths but just over an hour from Rome.