New Oil Festival

The New Oil Festival in Cerveteri

The New Oil Festival is one of the most anticipated food and wine events of the autumn-winter season on the coast north of Rome. Every year, at the beginning of December, the historic center of Cerveteri — a municipality in the Metropolitan City of Rome, in the Lazio region — transforms into a grand showcase for freshly pressed extra virgin olive oil, the symbolic product of a land with a long agricultural tradition dating back to the Etruscans.

Where it takes place

The heart of the event is Piazza Santa Maria, at the foot of the National Cerite Museum, but the festival also extends to Piazza Risorgimento and Piazza Aldo Moro, with a trail of stalls enlivening the entire village. Its timing during the Immaculate Conception long weekend (December 8th) makes it an ideal occasion for a getaway blending gastronomy and tradition.

What to find at the festival

• Local producer stalls featuring new oil, Colli Ceriti wine, and typical local products;
• Guided tastings and samplings of extra virgin olive oil and Lazio specialties;
• Show-cooking sessions led by students from the "Giuseppe Di Vittorio" Hotel Management School in Ladispoli;
• Conferences dedicated to the culture of oil and wine and the promotion of agri-food excellence;
• Crafts and markets featuring creations from local exhibitors;
• Exhibitions of vintage cars and Vespas that add color to the town squares.

A celebration of the Cerveteri territory

Promoted by the Associazione Cerveteri 3.0 with the contribution of Arsial and the support of the Municipality of Cerveteri, the New Oil Festival is much more than a simple fair: it is a community moment that intertwines agriculture, culture, and tourism. The event often accompanies the "Degustiamo il territorio" initiative, with workshops and conferences on local production. Strolling through the stalls with a piece of bread and a drizzle of new oil, while brass bands animate the village streets, is the best way to discover the authentic soul of Cerveteri and its countryside.

Why attend

For those visiting the Lazio region north of Rome, the New Oil Festival is the perfect opportunity to combine the discovery of the famous Etruscan necropolis — a UNESCO World Heritage site — with the pleasure of fine dining. It is a free-entry event, suitable for families and food and wine enthusiasts alike, which captures the slow and genuine rhythm of traditional Italian village festivals.