Questa è Roma Fest

Questa è Roma Fest, the capital's punk two-day event

Questa è Roma Fest is one of the most anticipated events in the Roman punk and hardcore scene. Every year, in early January, the festival transforms the CSA Intifada space in Rome's Casal Bruciato neighborhood into a two-day live concert marathon, gathering bands from all over Italy and beyond. The format is that of a true self-managed festival: two days packed with performances, dozens of groups on stage, DIY productions, stalls, and distribution, all in a climate of intense collective participation.

The CSA Intifada and the Casal Bruciato neighborhood

The festival takes place at the CSA Intifada on Via di Casal Bruciato, in the northeast quadrant of the Municipality of Rome, just a stone's throw from the Pietralata and Tiburtino districts, in the Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, Lazio. For years, this social center has been a landmark for alternative music and cultural self-production in the area—a space where the underground scene finds a home far from mainstream commercial circuits. Its concert hall, along with outdoor areas featuring stalls and refreshments, is the ideal setting for a festival that makes live energy and the closeness between bands and the audience its hallmark.

A scene with deep roots: Rotten Inc

The festival's roots lie in the work of the Rotten Inc collective, a historic fixture of the Roman punk scene; the 2025 edition was dedicated to its fifteen years of activity. Documented since at least 2015, when it already hosted two stages and around twenty-five groups, Questa è Roma Fest has grown over the years to feature programs with over thirty bands, all while keeping its original spirit intact: no sponsors, affordable prices, and total self-management.

Live music spanning oi!, hardcore, and street punk

The lineup embraces all facets of punk and related genres: street punk, oi!, hardcore, crust, ska-punk, metal, and rock'n'roll. The stage hosts a mix of historic names from the Italian scene and international guests, with bands arriving from the UK and Spain. It is an opportunity to hear both established acts and emerging talent in a single evening, in a sonic mosaic that tells the story of the vitality of Italy's independent music scene.

A self-managed and participatory festival

More than just a concert, Questa è Roma Fest is a gathering point for the capital's punk community and visitors from out of town. The self-managed formula, DIY stalls, popular kitchen, and atmosphere of sharing make it an event defined by its identity, where music is also an occasion for meeting. For those wanting to experience the most authentic and rebellious side of Rome, far from the tourist trails, the CSA Intifada festival is a date to mark on the calendar every January.