Social and Sports Festival

A weekend dedicated to the Rieti community

The Social and Sports Festival is the major annual showcase for the community and volunteer sector of Rieti and its province, in the heart of Lazio. Promoted by the ASI Rieti Provincial Committee (Italian Sports and Social Associations) with the patronage of the Municipality of Rieti, the Province of Rieti, the Lazio Region, and CIP Lazio, the event occupies the scenic Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II for two full days—the city's urban living room, located just steps from the Town Hall, the Cathedral, and the medieval historic center.

The core idea is simple and generous: to give local associations a public space to share their stories, showcase their daily work, and connect with citizens. For one weekend, the square becomes a village of gazebos and information stands, with performances running non-stop from morning until late at night.

Sports, wellness, and disciplines in the square

The sports program is the driving force of the festival. A ring and a tatami are set up in the square to host competitions and demonstrations of combat sports—jujitsu, judo, karate, muay thai, kickboxing, and boxing—with the highly anticipated ASI Central Italy Trophy as the highlight. Alongside these, there are open sessions of Zumba, fitness, gymnastics, yoga, and Pilates, as well as performances of rhythmic gymnastics, aerial dance, hip-hop, dance sport, swing, majorettes, and circus arts.

There are also activities outside the square: city bike rides organized with local cycling groups invite participants to discover Rieti and the Rieti Plain, while motorcycles, archers, and historical groups with bands and flag-wavers add color to the days.

Inclusion as a guiding theme

The festival is more than just a sports showcase. The social theme runs through the entire program: inclusive activities for people with disabilities, meetings and conferences with third-sector associations, and moments of awareness-raising on solidarity, equality, and participation. One of the most heartfelt moments is the inclusive parade that crosses the square in the evening, a procession bringing together athletes, volunteers, and citizens, capturing the spirit of the event in just a few minutes.

Music, children, and street food

• Evening concerts: Free performances by local Rieti bands to close both days;
• Children's area: Workshops, games, inflatables, and entertainment;
• Food truck area: Active throughout the festival, featuring street food and traditional products from the Sabina region;
• Association stands: Dedicated to sports and wellness, social inclusion and solidarity, education and training, art and culture, tourism, and local traditions.

Why visit Rieti

Rieti, the provincial capital and historically considered the Umbilicus Italiae (Navel of Italy), is a human-scale city overlooking the Franciscan Holy Valley. Participating in the Social and Sports Festival is a unique way to get to know it: not just by looking at monuments, but by experiencing its daily life among the associations that bring it to life all year round. Admission is free, and the atmosphere is that of a familiar, vibrant town square festival where sports, music, and civic engagement blend naturally.