San Giovanni Battista in Collatino Patronal Festival

A neighborhood festival in the heart of Collatino

The San Giovanni Battista in Collatino Patronal Festival is one of the most anticipated events in the eastern part of Rome. Organized by the parish of the same name at Via Sandro Sandri 73, in the Collatino district (Tiburtino III, Municipio IV), it involves the entire neighborhood every year: families, associations, sports schools, and local merchants all participate in creating a program that blends popular devotion with street festivities.

This is not a large city-wide festival, but something equally significant in Rome: an authentic festa rionale (neighborhood festival), where the community recognizes itself and comes together. Visitors from outside the area discover a side of the Capital far from the tourist circuits, defined by neighborhood squares, intergenerational mixing, and a sense of local social life that remains intact.

Devotion to Saint John the Baptist

June 24th, the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist, is a date deeply rooted in Roman tradition: for centuries, the night of Saint John has been linked to popular rituals, herbs gathered at the solstice, and legends about witches that once animated the Lateran area. The Collatino community preserves the most religious and communal dimension of this, with the Eucharistic Celebration, the procession of the Saint through the streets, and the solemn mass in honor of the Patron Saint.

Typical Program

The festival spans several days, alternating between religious appointments and entertainment. The established model includes:

• Stalls selling crafts, local products, and food in Piazza Baldassarre Crivelli;
• Rides and activities for children, including a charity raffle and magic shows in the parish garden;
• Sports playground and exhibitions by local schools, with awards for young athletes;
• Musical evenings in the square: DJ sets, dance performances, concerts, and choirs;
• Procession of the Saint through the streets of Collatino, preceded by a mass presided over by a Bishop from the Northern Sector of Rome;
• Grand finale fireworks display on the evening of June 24th, closing the festivities.

An initiative supported by the community

The event is sponsored by the Municipality of Rome (Roma Capitale) and Municipio IV, which over the years has integrated its own summer programming in local parks, from Parco Bergamini to nearby green spaces, with the parish festival. This collaboration between the parish, municipal institutions, and merchants is the hallmark of the event: a festival built from the ground up but recognized by the city.

Why it's worth visiting

In Lazio, there are countless patronal festivals, but Roman neighborhood feasts have a unique flavor: here, the historic periphery of the Capital shows its most genuine identity. Admission is free, the atmosphere is family-friendly and suitable for all ages, and on the night of the fireworks, the entire Collatino district spills out into the streets with eyes turned skyward. It is the ideal occasion for those who want to understand how Rome is truly lived outside the historic center.

When it takes place

The festivities are concentrated in the second half of June and culminate without fail on June 24th, the day of the Patron Saint. Exact dates and the detailed program are released each year by the parish through official flyers, social media channels, and Sunday announcements.