Velocissima Folk Days

A festival born from the local band

The Velocissima Folk Days are the summer highlight hosted by the La Velocissima Folkloric Band of Rignano Flaminio, located in the Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, in the heart of northern Lazio. The group was founded in 2000 following a playful masquerade during the local Carnival: the reception was so warm that the experience evolved into a permanent association, now directed by Maestro Bruno Grasselli and known far beyond the town's borders. From that spark, the idea for a festival dedicated to the world of uniformed bands and majorettes was born, brought to the square by the very musicians who tour Italy and Europe throughout the year.

What happens during the Folk Days

The formula is the simple, time-tested one of a village festival, but with a distinct musical soul. For two days, the Via Tenente Fazio public gardens—the green space locals affectionately call the 'Kingdom of Children'—host guest marching bands and majorette troupes performing in the square and in parades. Between performances, the public can explore food stalls and creative workshops designed for children, while evenings are dedicated to live music and dancing.

• Parades and open-air concerts by invited folkloric bands
• Majorette choreography, featuring baton routines and colorful uniforms
• Food stalls serving traditional dishes from the Lazio region
• Free creative workshops for children
• Live music and dance evenings to close out each day

The world of folkloric bands

To understand the spirit of the event, one must know the history of La Velocissima. Since 2001, the band has represented Rignano Flaminio at the Saint Simeon Festival in France, at the Sanremo in Fiore editions—where it won a special prize for best choreography—the International Band Festival in Sanremo, the Acireale Carnival in Sicily, the Turin Carnival, and the Bailleul Carnival in France. Beyond their spectacular performances, the group has always maintained a charitable vocation, playing in hospitals and sanctuaries to bring, as its members say, a bit of joy to those who are suffering. The Folk Days are the moment when this network of musical friendships returns home.

Rignano Flaminio, between the Via Flaminia and the Tiber Valley

The town rises along the ancient route of the Via Flaminia, just over forty kilometers from Rome, in a landscape of woods and countryside that slopes down toward the Tiber and overlooks the Cimini Mountains. It is a town with a robust tradition of festivities: every spring, it hosts the historic Porchetta Festival, now in its fiftieth year, and in January, the patronal celebrations in honor of Saints Vincent and Anastasius. The Velocissima Folk Days are part of the Rignano Summer calendar, a series of events coordinated by the Municipality from June to September together with local associations.

Who it is for

This is a family-friendly, intergenerational festival: children will find workshops and the colorful spectacle of the parades; adults will enjoy the music and food; and fans of folk traditions will discover a living showcase of Italian and international band repertoires. Admission is free, and the outdoor setting in the public gardens creates an informal atmosphere, perfectly capturing the slow pace of Lazio summer evenings.

Good to know

In the 2025 edition, the event took place on Saturday, July 5th, and Sunday, July 6th. For the next edition, it is best to follow the channels of the band and the Municipality of Rignano Flaminio: dates and programs are usually released a few weeks in advance, along with the general Rignano Summer calendar.