Vacone Autumn Festival

A festival born in 1999 in the heart of Sabina

The Vacone Autumn Festival is one of the most beloved food and wine events in the lower Sabina area of Rieti. Organized since 1999 by the Pro Loco of Vacone in collaboration with the Municipality of Vacone, it takes place every year on the last Sunday of October in Il Pago, a place of unique charm: the ancient Roman pagus surrounded by a sacred forest already cited by Pliny the Elder and Horace, who owned his famous villa in this valley. The small village of Vacone, in the province of Rieti, within the Lazio region, owes its name to the Sabine goddess Vacuna, and the festival ideally carries on its rustic and convivial legacy.

The autumn menu: polenta, sausages, chestnuts, and new wine

The heart of the event is the large outdoor lunch among the trees of Il Pago. The menu celebrates the flavors of the season:

• Steaming polenta seasoned in the Sabine style
• Grilled sausages
• Roasted chestnuts
• New wine, the absolute star of the day

In the 2024 edition, the full menu was priced at 20 euros per person. Alongside the main dishes, tasting stalls and direct sales offer the excellence of the territory: Sabina PDO extra virgin olive oil, cured meats, honey, chestnuts, and local cheeses, with commentary from professional sommeliers and oil tasters.

Music, art, and nature until dusk

An orchestra accompanies the banquet throughout the day, with dancing and entertainment for children until sunset. The Pago forest, included in a Special Protection Area, is an attraction in itself: walking among the trees, you will encounter wooden sculptures by Andrea Gandini and stone works by Felice Rufini scattered along the path. In recent years, the festival has forged a bond with Vacunalia, the contemporary art exhibition that enlivens the village: in 2025, the two events took place concurrently, intertwining autumn flavors, installations, dance, and cinema.

An audience from Lazio and Umbria

The simple and genuine formula of the Autumn Festival attracts visitors every year from all over Lazio and nearby Umbria, as well as foreign tourists looking for an authentic immersion in the traditions of Sabina. The day is also an opportunity to discover Vacone, the remains of the Roman villa attributed to Horace, and the trails that connect the town to neighboring villages.

Essential information

The festival is held every year on the last Sunday of October, from late morning until dusk, in the locality of Il Pago (Via del Pago). Entry to the festival area is free; the full lunch is paid. For program updates, it is advisable to follow the Pro Loco of Vacone Facebook page or the Municipality's website.