Spiedino Festival

A festival that signals the start of summer

The Spiedino Festival is one of the most anticipated events in Monterotondo, a town in the Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, in the Lazio region, overlooking the Tiber Valley just a few kilometres from the capital. For over twenty years, the event has effectively opened the Estate Eretina, the municipality's summer calendar, and is seen by locals as the true sign that the warm season has begun.

Where it takes place

The festival is held on the grounds of the Gesù Operaio Parish, at 12 Via Piave, a venue that has become the heart of the celebration over the years. The square and adjacent areas host food stalls, outdoor seating, a stage for performances, and a dedicated children's play area: a simple, tried-and-tested formula that brings different generations together.

The skewer, the absolute star

The signature dish is, naturally, the charcoal-grilled meat skewer, served hot by volunteers who rotate at the grills throughout the event. Alongside the skewers, the stalls offer other local popular cuisine specialties, including side dishes, desserts, and drinks. The kitchen remains active all evening, and the stalls open in the late afternoon, allowing families with children to dine early.

• Freshly prepared charcoal-grilled meat skewers
• Traditional local culinary specialties
• Outdoor table service in the parish square
• Affordable prices, designed for families

Music, dance, and entertainment

Every evening features a different show: from live concerts by bands and tribute acts to disco dance nights featuring the greatest hits of the seventies, eighties, and nineties, as well as traditional ballroom orchestras and group dances, which are very popular with the local crowd. In the afternoons, the space is reserved for children, with games, entertainment, and shows designed for the little ones.

A festival built by volunteers

The event is organized by the Associazione Culturale Sagra dello Spiedino, with the patronage of the Monterotondo municipal administration and the Lazio Region. Behind these four evenings lies the work of dozens of volunteers who handle the cooking, service, setup, and hospitality: it is this community dimension, even more than the artistic program, that gives the festival its unique character.

Why it's worth visiting

Visitors arriving from Rome or the Sabina area will find an authentic festival, free of tourist filters: the food is good, the prices are low, you can dance in the square, and you can meet the locals. It is also a great starting point for discovering the historic centre of Monterotondo, with the Palazzo Orsini-Barberini and the Cathedral of Santa Maria Maddalena, as well as the rolling hills of the lower Sabina that surround the city.