Sant'Angelo Romano Cherry Festival

The signature festival of Sant'Angelo Romano

Nestled in the Monti Cornicolani, about 35 kilometers from Rome, Sant'Angelo Romano celebrates its most cherished event every May: the Cherry Festival. The name comes from the local dialect, where cherries have always been called "cerase"—a fruit that has represented the town's economy and pride for generations. The festival is inextricably linked to the patronal feast of Saint Liberata and Saint Michael the Archangel, held on the third Sunday of May, blending faith, rural tradition, and popular entertainment into a single, vibrant three-day celebration.

A history dating back to 1962

The event was founded in 1962 by a three-person committee known as "E.A. Mario"—a tribute to the parish priest at the time, Father Mario Micolonghi—with the support of civil and religious authorities, local merchants, and fruit wholesalers from Rome's markets. Initially called the "Cherry Exhibition," it officially became the Cherry Festival five years later. At the time, the town had about 1,800 inhabitants and produced approximately 20,000 quintals of cherries annually. Early editions even attracted celebrities like Mike Bongiorno and Lucio Dalla, reflecting the prestige the festival quickly achieved.

The cherries of Sant'Angelo

The absolute stars are the local cherry varieties, which reflect the agricultural heritage of the Monti Cornicolani: the Ciarase di Cesaretto, the Saccocce, the Graffioni, and the Cerasoni, an exclusive variety native to the Sant'Angelo area. During the festival, cherries are everywhere: in the buffets of local products offered after the processions, at the food stalls, and decorating the elaborate floats.

Faith and tradition: the patronal feast

The spiritual heart of the event remains the patronal celebrations: the evocative nighttime procession in honor of Saint Liberata on Saturday evening and the solemn procession of Saint Michael the Archangel on Sunday, both accompanied by the historic "Medullia" Marching Band. Sunday begins at dawn with the traditional "colpi scuri" (fireworks) that wake the village, followed by the band's parade through the streets.

Allegorical floats and folklore

The most anticipated moment is the parade of allegorical floats on Sunday afternoon, which involves students, local associations, and families, brought to life by the Medullia Majorettes and the Monte Patulo folk group. The floats are surrounded by traditional games in the square, evening musical performances, a grand raffle (tombolata), and a spectacular midnight fireworks display.

The 2026 comeback

After a few years of absence, the festival returned from May 22 to 24, 2026, for its 60th edition, organized by the Nuova Pro Loco Sant'Angelo Romano with the patronage of the Municipality of Sant'Angelo Romano and the collaboration of local schools, the parish, and associations. The return was hailed as a great success by the municipal administration, with Piazza Belvedere Aldo Nardi packed and the entire community reunited around its traditions—making it one of the most authentic village festivals in the Metropolitan City of Rome and the entire Lazio region.