Presepi da Gustare (Christmas Nights)

A village that becomes a nativity scene

Every December, the pedestrian historic center of San Vito Romano, a village perched on the Monti Prenestini in the Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, is adorned with hundreds of meters of lights and transforms into a large open-air nativity scene. The Christmas Nights festival, organized by the Pro Loco of San Vito Romano with the patronage of the Municipality and the Lazio Region, features its main event, Presepi da Gustare, as a fixed appointment for residents of the entire area southeast of Rome, who return year after year to experience Christmas as it once was among cobbled alleys and stone houses.

Nativity scenes in historic cellars

The magic of the nativity scenes is the true protagonist of the event: the ancient cellars carved into the village open their doors to host a nativity art exhibition-competition with works created by artists, hobbyists, schools, and master nativity makers. A multi-faceted story that transports visitors into worlds made of wood, paper, and artistic charm, set up in every corner of the historic center. In recent editions, the nativity exhibition has remained visitable well beyond the peak days, with openings on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays until after Epiphany.

The food and wine trail and markets

Alongside the nativity scenes, the heart of the event is the food and wine trail curated by merchants, farmers, and local wineries: stands with traditional dishes and zero-kilometer products accompany the stroll through the handcrafted Christmas markets, where you can find gift ideas, handmade items, and local specialties. It is the best way to discover the authentic flavors of the Monti Prenestini in an atmosphere of yesteryear.

Entertainment, music, and shows

During the festive days, the village comes alive with street performers, jugglers, mascots, musicians, and magic shows; there is no shortage of Santa Claus for children's letters and, in more recent editions, moments that have become small cults like the evening Christmas Party with 90s dance music and a spectacular artificial snowfall over the historic center. Even the "Grinches" — the green uniforms worn with irony by the Pro Loco volunteers — are now part of the event's folklore.

A tradition of the Monti Prenestini

Born as a village festival, the Christmas Nights event has exceeded fifteen editions and has grown to attract thousands of visitors, families, and tourists from Rome and the Castelli Romani. For the Municipality of San Vito Romano and the entire Prenestina area, it represents a precious opportunity to promote the village, its heritage, and its traditions: a successful example of how small towns in Lazio know how to enhance winter with curated, welcoming, and free-admission events.