Rose and Hemlock Festival

A courtship tradition turned village festival

The Rose and Hemlock Festival is one of the most original events in the local calendar of the Municipality of Riano, a small town in the Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, in the heart of the Lazio countryside just a few kilometers from the Tiber River and the Via Flaminia. The event stems from the revival of a courtship custom that used to take place in Riano on the night between April 30th and May 1st: the village youth would leave a rose at the door of the girl they wished to woo, a symbol of love and beauty; conversely, those who were unwelcome, or who had been unkind, were delivered a sprig of hemlock—a poisonous plant with an unpleasant odor—as an ironic and provocative gesture.

Drawing on this rural memory, the Pro Loco Riano Association, with the patronage of the Municipality, has built a festival that now attracts visitors from across the Via Flaminia district and the area north of the Capital.

Where it takes place: the Fontanalarga area

The festival is held outdoors in the Fontanalarga area, a large green space on the outskirts of the town that transforms into a small village for two days: food stalls, craft market stands, children's play areas, a space dedicated to horses, and, above all, the large bonfire, around which folk songs are sung throughout the night. Those who wish can stay overnight in the tent camp set up on the lawn: it is one of the most beloved features of the event, which truly spans the night between April 30th and May 1st.

The ritual of the rose delivery

The central moment remains the distribution of the roses, which takes place in the evening and involves the public in a collective game of likes and dislikes. This is accompanied by the «Rose and Hemlock» contest, a competition for poems and prose dedicated to local tradition: the entries are read aloud in front of the bonfire, amidst applause and laughter, in a format that blends dialect poetry, village satire, and collective memory.

Music, gastronomy, and outdoor activities

The program alternates live concerts, brass bands, roving entertainment, and dance evenings. Much space is dedicated to families, with workshops and shows for children, carriage rides, and archery demonstrations hosted by the Arcieri di San Giorgio di Riano. There are also informative meetings on nature and local wildlife, consistent with the town's rural vocation.

• Food stalls featuring Lazio cuisine, wine, and beer
• Market with crafts and local products
• Evening bonfire with folk songs and storytelling
• Tent camp for those who want to spend the night on-site
• Equestrian activities and archery

Why it's worth the trip

In a region where May festivals are often linked to patron saints or flower festivals, Riano offers something different: a secular, playful, and slightly irreverent celebration built around a rustic courtship gesture. It is an opportunity to discover a Lazio village rarely visited by mass tourism, less than thirty kilometers from the center of Rome, and to spend the May 1st long weekend outdoors with an authentically local atmosphere. Entry to the festival area is free; you only pay for what you consume at the stalls.