Polenta Festival

A festival dedicated to winter flavors

As the first cold days signal the arrival of winter, the historic center of Castelnuovo di Porto, in the Metropolitan City of Rome, comes alive with the Polenta Festival. A traditional event that, every autumn, draws locals from neighboring towns and day-trippers from Rome, located just thirty kilometers away along the Via Tiberina.

The event is organized by the La Pleiade Association under the patronage of the Municipality of Castelnuovo di Porto, transforming the squares and alleys of the old town into an open-air culinary trail where conviviality is just as important as the dishes served.

Polenta takes center stage

The heart of the festival is naturally polenta, one of the most iconic dishes of Lazio's rural cuisine, served in its most popular variations:

• Polenta with sauce and sausages, the classic version with meat ragù;
• White polenta with mushrooms, a more delicate and aromatic option;
• Local side dishes and specialties such as skewers, French fries, and more;
• To finish, the traditional Ciambelle dei Santi, a typical seasonal pastry.

The meals are accompanied by beer and excellent local wine, served at the food stalls set up by volunteers.

Music, dancing, and village atmosphere

The Polenta Festival is about more than just food: throughout the day, the stalls are accompanied by music and dancing that enliven the village and create the warm atmosphere of a traditional country feast. It is an opportunity to gather, share a meal, and experience the slow, genuine rhythm of tradition.

A village to discover

The festival is also the perfect excuse to visit Castelnuovo di Porto, one of the most charming villages in the countryside north of Rome. Strolling through its streets, you will encounter the historic center with its medieval layout and the majestic Rocca Colonna, the 16th-century palace that dominates the town. The area, overlooking the Tiber Valley and at the gateway to the Sabina region, blends nature, history, and a solid culinary culture.

A tradition of the Lazio region

Like many festivals in Lazio, the one in Castelnuovo di Porto was born from the desire to preserve and pass on the flavors of 'cucina povera'—simple, earthy products transformed into generous dishes. Participating in the Polenta Festival means savoring not just a meal, but a piece of the village's identity and collective memory.