Saint John the Baptist Patronal Feast

A patronal feast that marks the end of summer in Manziana

The Saint John the Baptist Patronal Feast is the most anticipated event of the year in Manziana, a town of about seven thousand inhabitants in the Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, in the heart of the Sabatino district, between Lake Bracciano and the Tolfa Mountains. The festivities are concentrated in the final days of August and culminate on August 29th, the date the Church commemorates the martyrdom of Saint John the Baptist: it is this anniversary, rather than the summer solstice on June 24th, that has defined the Manziana festival calendar for generations.

Faith, procession, and community

The religious core of the event remains unchanged: the solemn mass in the parish church of Saint John the Baptist, animated by local choirs, and the procession that winds through the streets of the historic center with the statue of the patron saint carried on the shoulders of the confraternity members. In recent years, the tradition has been enriched by the mini-bearers' procession, designed to involve the town's children and pass on the sense of devotion that belongs to the entire community.

The square, concerts, and the food stand

Alongside the liturgical program, the secular side of the festival unfolds, with Piazza Tommaso Tittoni serving as its natural stage. For several consecutive evenings, the square hosts free live concerts: over the years, these have featured big names in Italian music, Roman folk-rock groups, cover bands, and local ensembles, as well as performances by the town's marching band. The final evening is traditionally dedicated to bingo with cash prizes and a fireworks display, bidding farewell to the patron saint and, with him, the end of summer.

Throughout the festivities, the food stand run by volunteers remains open, offering dishes from the Lazio region and local specialties: fettuccine, arrosticini, porchetta, homemade desserts, and products from the Macchia Grande forest, the historic cork oak woodland that surrounds the town.

Sport, games, and culture

The program is not limited to music. Throughout the days, there are numerous initiatives designed for all ages:

• Running race through the town streets and treasure hunt for children
• Trout fishing reserved for children, one of the most beloved rituals of the Manziana festival
• Tournaments of foosball, burraco, and neighborhood games for the younger ones
• Dance lessons in the square and dance evenings
• Photo exhibitions, book presentations, and musical competitions
• Raffle drawing to support the committee's activities

Organizers

The festival is promoted by the Saint John the Baptist Feast Spontaneous Committee, a group of local volunteers who work year-round on fundraising and program development, with the patronage of the Municipality of Manziana, the Pro Loco, and the Lazio Region. Admission to all events in the square is free.

Why visit

Visitors arriving from Rome or the coast will find an authentic village festival in Manziana, far from the commercial nature of large-scale events: a packed square, families sitting at tables, young people dancing under the stage, and the elderly following the procession. It is also an opportunity to discover a lesser-known corner of Lazio: the Macchia Grande Forest with its centuries-old cork oaks, the thermal waters of the Caldara di Manziana, and the proximity to Lake Bracciano, just a few minutes' drive away.