Sacred Heart of Jesus Festival

A neighborhood festival near Rome

The Sacred Heart of Jesus Festival is the most anticipated event of the year in Tor Lupara, the populous district of the Fonte Nuova municipality, located in the province of Rome, in the heart of the Nomentano Lazio region. Originally a parish celebration centered around the Gesù Maestro Parish on Via Nomentana, it has evolved over the years into a true community festival: for a few days in June, local life shifts outdoors to Piazza Colonnello Antonio Varisco, which is closed to traffic and transformed into a large pedestrian meeting space.

Faith and tradition: the religious core

The festival calendar follows the liturgical year. It begins with the solemnity of Corpus Domini, celebrated with Holy Mass and a procession through the neighborhood streets, and continues until the solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, a Marian and Christological title deeply rooted in local popular devotion. Eucharistic celebrations, prayer sessions, and church decorations mark the days, recalling the event's origins: a neighborhood patronal feast, not a manufactured event.

Civil celebrations in the square

Alongside the religious observances, civil celebrations take place, organized with the help of volunteers and local associations. The evening program typically includes:

• Food stalls open during the main evenings, serving Lazio and Roman cuisine, fried snacks, porchetta, desserts, and beer;
• Musical evenings with dance orchestras, live bands, and tribute acts dedicated to Italian music icons;
• Disco-themed nights featuring the greatest hits of the 80s and 90s;
• Entertainment for children and families, rides, and stalls along the square;
• Illuminations and decorations accompanying the procession route.

A popular and accessible atmosphere

Visitors will find the authentic face of June festivals in Lazio here: no spectacular sets, just generations gathering in the square, the aroma of the food stalls, shared tables, and music playing late into the night. Admission to the festival area and shows is free; you only pay for what you consume at the food stalls and attractions.

Fonte Nuova and the Nomentano territory

A young municipality, established in 2001 by the union of the Tor Lupara and Santa Lucia centers, Fonte Nuova is located a few kilometers from the Grande Raccordo Anulare, along the Via Nomentana, in an area that bridges the Roman countryside and the villages of Sabina. For many residents, the Sacred Heart Festival is the main identity-defining moment of the year and one of the few events capable of bringing the different parts of the territory together in one place.

When to go

The event always takes place in June, coinciding with the solemnities of Corpus Domini and the Sacred Heart, with the central weekend dedicated to stalls and concerts. This is when the square is most vibrant: it is best to arrive in the evening, when the air cools down and the festival comes to life.