Pastasciutta Festival

A festival that defines the town's identity

In Forano, a municipality of just over three thousand inhabitants in the province of Rieti, Lazio, the date of August 14th needs no reminder: it is the night of the Pastasciutta Festival. For over fifty years, the Pro Loco Forano has set up long tables along Via del Passeggio, the promenade skirting the historic center, filling the village with residents, returning summer visitors, and guests from across the Sabina region and the nearby Roman area.

The festival's name is a statement of intent: here, the world's most famous first course is celebrated without frills or gourmet pretenses, in the most authentic and convivial version possible—community-style cooking prepared by dozens of volunteers.

What to eat

The menu revolves around three different types of pasta, prepared in large field-kitchen pots and served in succession at the tables. Visitors don't choose just one dish; they sample the entire trio offered by the Pro Loco, which varies slightly from year to year while remaining faithful to traditional Lazio and Sabina sauces.

• Three first courses of pasta, served in rotation throughout the evening
• Grilled meat cooked on-site, the festival's historic second course
• Seasonal side dishes, homemade desserts, and Sabina hills wine
• Outdoor table service along the pedestrianized street

The evening

Serving generally begins around 8:30 PM and continues late into the night, featuring live music or entertainment organized by the hosts. The atmosphere is typical of central Italian summer feasts: orderly queues at the counters, tables shared with strangers, children running between chairs, and a line that, in the best years, stretches across most of Via del Passeggio.

The link to the August Festivities

The Pastasciutta Festival is not an isolated event; it serves as the gastronomic eve of the Forano August Festivities, a cycle of events that brings religious celebrations, shows, musical evenings, and popular games to the town from August 15th onwards. Those arriving on August 14th will find a village already fully in the festive spirit, with decorated streets and the Pro Loco's activities in full swing.

How many editions?

Local sources disagree on the exact number of the edition: the Rieti press mentioned the 51st edition in 2025, while other tourist portals indicate different numbers, and some claim it has surpassed its sixtieth year. Regardless of the count, it is certainly one of the longest-running festivals in the Sabina region, passed down from generation to generation by Forano's volunteers.

Forano, the village

Forano stands on a hill in the lower Sabina, between the course of the Tiber and the profile of Mount Soratte, in an area of olive groves that produces some of the most appreciated extra virgin olive oils in Lazio. The historic center retains its medieval layout, with narrow alleys, stone portals, and glimpses of the valley: a walk before dinner is the best way to arrive at the festival with a healthy appetite.

Why visit

Because it is a genuine festival, without tourist filters: popular prices, volunteer-run cooking, street tables, and an entire town putting itself at the service of the evening. For those spending Ferragosto between Rome and Rieti, it is a stop well worth the detour.