Sermoneta Polenta Festival
Polenta and sausage cooked in copper cauldrons for the Feast of Saint Anthony Abbot in the medieval village of the Caetani family
About Polenta Festival
A tradition born in the 16th century
The Sermoneta Polenta Festival is one of the most authentic winter celebrations in the Lazio region. Its origins trace back to the 16th century, when Guglielmo Caetani, lord of the village, imported corn seeds from the Americas and had them cultivated in the Pontine plains. Since then, polenta has become the signature dish of Sermoneta, still prepared today according to the ancient local recipe in traditional copper cauldrons over wood fires. The festival takes place every year on the Sunday closest to January 17th, the feast day of Saint Anthony Abbot, patron saint of domestic animals, blending gastronomy, faith, and rural heritage.
The festival day in the historic center
From the crack of dawn, around 6:00 AM, the polentari light the fires at the entrance to the village and begin the long process of cooking the polenta. At 11:00 AM, a solemn Mass is celebrated in the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, followed by a procession through the village streets featuring the sacred image of Saint Anthony Abbot, accompanied by the «Fabrizio Caroso» marching band. Around 12:30 PM, after the blessing of the fields, animals, polenta, and bread, the distribution of polenta with sausage sauce begins in Piazza del Popolo. In the afternoon, the festivities continue with a performance by the Sbandieratori Ducato Caetani of Sermoneta, who transport the square back to the village's medieval atmosphere.
Polenta celebrations in the hamlets
The festival does not end in a single day: on the following Sundays, polenta is celebrated in all the hamlets of the municipality, organized by local parish and district committees. The calendar visits Doganella di Ninfa (on the same day as the historic center), followed by Tufette, Pontenuovo, Monticchio, and finally Sermoneta Scalo, with Mass, blessings, and polenta distribution in each area. It is an authentic relay of flavor that unites the entire Sermoneta community for about a month.
A medieval village among the most beautiful in Lazio
Attending the festival is also the perfect opportunity to discover Sermoneta, a stunning medieval village perched on the Lepini Mountains, in the province of Latina, in the heart of the Pontine Lazio. The Caetani Castle, the Romanesque-Gothic Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, and the stone alleys provide a natural backdrop for the event, while the famous Garden of Ninfa is just a few kilometers away. The Municipality of Sermoneta supports the event, which has been managed since 1977 by the Festeggiamenti Association in collaboration with the local administration.
Flavors and atmosphere
- Polenta cooked over wood fires in copper cauldrons according to the ancient Sermoneta recipe
- Distribution with sausage and sauce in Piazza del Popolo
- Procession of Saint Anthony Abbot with a marching band
- Performance by the Sbandieratori Ducato Caetani
- Artisan markets through the village streets
- Free admission and popular festive atmosphere
Polenta Festival — edition 2026
Polenta Festival 2026: a month of celebration in Sermoneta
On Sunday, January 18, 2026, Sermoneta celebrated its signature dish with the main day of the festival in the historic center: fires lit by the polentari from 6:00 AM, solemn Mass at 11:00 AM in the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, a procession with the sacred image of Saint Anthony Abbot accompanied by the «Fabrizio Caroso» band, a blessing at 12:30 PM, and the distribution of polenta with sausage in Piazza del Popolo, followed by the afternoon performance of the Sbandieratori Ducato Caetani. The celebration also took place on the same day in the hamlet of Doganella di Ninfa.
The 2026 calendar continued in the other hamlets of the municipality, organized by parish committees: Tufette on February 1 (Mass at 11:00 AM at the church of N.S. di Lourdes and polenta at 12:00 PM), Pontenuovo on February 8 (Mass at San Tommaso d'Aquino, polenta with sausage sauce, and flag-wavers at 3:00 PM), Monticchio on February 15 at the public park, and Sermoneta Scalo on Sunday, February 22, closing the cycle. Artisan markets in the village and a free shuttle from the Monticchio market area to the historic center were provided.
Programme Polenta Festival 2026
Sunday, January 18 — Sermoneta historic center (and Doganella di Ninfa)
- 6:00 AM — Lighting of the fires: the polentari begin cooking in copper cauldrons
- 11:00 AM — Holy Mass in the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta
- Following — Procession with the sacred image of Saint Anthony Abbot, with the «Fabrizio Caroso» marching band
- 12:30 PM — Blessing of the fields, animals, polenta, and bread; distribution of polenta with sausage in Piazza del Popolo
- 3:30 PM — Performance by the Sbandieratori Ducato Caetani
- All day — Artisan markets; free shuttle from the Monticchio market area
Celebrations in the hamlets
- Sunday, February 1 — Tufette: 11:00 AM Mass at N.S. di Lourdes church, 12:00 PM blessing and distribution of polenta
- Sunday, February 8 — Pontenuovo: 11:00 AM Mass at San Tommaso d'Aquino church, 12:00 PM polenta with sausage sauce, 3:00 PM flag-waver performance
- Sunday, February 15 — Monticchio: 12:00 PM blessing and distribution at the public park
- Sunday, February 22 — Sermoneta Scalo: 10:00 AM Mass, 12:00 PM blessing and distribution at the public park
Highlights Polenta Festival 2026
- Polenta cooked over wood fires in copper cauldrons according to the ancient Sermoneta recipe
- Procession of Saint Anthony Abbot with the «Fabrizio Caroso» band
- Performance by the Sbandieratori Ducato Caetani
- Five Sundays of celebration across the historic center and hamlets
- Artisan markets in the medieval village
Prices Polenta Festival 2026
Practical information — Polenta Festival
How to get there
Sermoneta can be reached by car via the SS7 Appia or the SR148 Pontina, taking the Latina Scalo/Sermoneta exit; parking is available at the Monticchio market area with a free shuttle to the historic center (active from 1:00 PM until the end of the event). By train: Latina Scalo station, about 7 km from the village.
Admission
The festival has free admission; polenta with sausage is distributed in the square after the 12:30 PM blessing.
Contacts
Municipality of Sermoneta — Culture and Tourism Office: +39 0773 316077, [email protected]. Pro Loco of Sermoneta: +39 0773 30312.
Tips
Dining takes place outdoors in the middle of winter: wear warm clothing and comfortable shoes for the village's stone alleys. Combine your visit with a tour of the Caetani Castle and, in season, the Garden of Ninfa.
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Where does it take place — Polenta Festival
Piazza del Popolo e centro storico di Sermoneta
Piazza del Popolo, 04013 Sermoneta