Saint George Festival (Civil celebrations in honor of the Patron Saint)

A festival that defines the town's identity

The Saint George Festival is the most anticipated event of the year in Riano, a village of a few thousand inhabitants north of Rome, in the Province of Rome (Metropolitan City of Rome Capital), in the Lazio region. Here, devotion to the knight saint goes beyond liturgy: alongside the religious anniversary, traditionally linked to April 23rd, the town organizes civil celebrations held on a different date during the warmer season, representing the true collective gathering for the Riano community.

Who organizes it

The event is managed by the Pro Loco Riano Association, working in close collaboration with the Municipality of Riano, local associations, and merchants. It is a model of a festival that is entirely volunteer-run and self-financed: the citizens themselves, gathered in the Pro Loco, set up the stages, manage the kitchens, and welcome visitors, following the spirit summarized in the association's motto: "the Pro Loco is the town."

The heart of the festival: Largo Falcone e Borsellino

The stage for the event is the space in front of the Town Hall, named in May 2025 after Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino and previously known as Largo Montechiara. This is where the concert stage, food stalls, and public areas are set up, while the surrounding streets host the artisan market. The formula is that of a classic Lazio patronal festival: free admission, arriving in the late afternoon, dining outdoors, and staying until late for the music.

Live music and entertainment

The musical programming is intentionally popular and cross-generational: prominent groups from the Roman scene, orchestras, and bands take turns throughout the evenings, often accompanied by a DJ set that continues until late. The closing is traditionally entrusted to a solemn moment dedicated to the patron saint, with highly acclaimed band performances.

The table

The food stalls offer specialties from the Roman countryside and classic village festival favorites: arrosticini (skewered meat) and grilled meats, porchetta, traditional pasta dishes, beer, and wines from the Castelli and surrounding areas. It is the most direct way to discover the flavors of this corner of Lazio, just a stone's throw from the capital.

Not just music

• Artisan market with local exhibitors
• Entertainment and games for children, with inflatables and activities dedicated to families
• Tournaments and recreational activities, which in recent years have added initiatives aimed at younger people to the musical program
• Religious moments in the parish church, for those who wish to follow the devotional dimension of the anniversary

Why visit

Those looking for an authentic festival, far from major tourist circuits but easily reachable from Rome, will find exactly that in Riano: a community that gets involved, affordable prices, free live music, and the chance to discover the Veio Regional Park and the Roman Sabina countryside during the day. A weekend that is worth the trip precisely because it is not built for visitors, but for the town: and visitors are simply welcome.