Veraviglioso Festival

The historic centre of Veroli becomes an open-air theatre

The Veraviglioso Festival is an urban theatre, storytelling, and performance event dedicated to children and families. Every year, at the end of June, it brings the historic centre of Veroli, in the province of Frosinone, to life in the heart of Ciociaria. For three consecutive evenings, starting at 8:45 PM, the squares, narrow alleys, and staircases of the medieval village turn into a sprawling stage, populated by actors, puppeteers, jugglers, and entertainers who guide the public on a journey of fantasy and discovery. Established in 2021, the festival reached its sixth edition in 2026, cementing its status as one of the most original family events of the summer in southern Lazio.

A village as a stage

The heart of the event beats between Piazza Santa Salome, the Belvedere, and Piazza Palestrina: three spaces in the historic centre that simultaneously host games, workshops, and performances. The format is that of a "diffused festival": not a single stage, but a route that invites adults and children alike to wander through the city's most evocative spots, rediscovering them through new narrative and artistic perspectives. It is also a way to showcase the urban and cultural heritage of Veroli, which welcomes residents and visitors for three evenings of collective celebration.

Traditional games, workshops, and shows

Each evening, Veraviglioso offers a blend of activities designed for all ages: skill games built from recycled materials, traditional pastimes to try out in the square, creative workshops where one can hand-craft kites, wooden puppets, and paper birds, as well as readings and storytelling sessions, and participatory shows where the audience becomes the protagonist. The theme running through all editions is wonder: an invitation to look at familiar places with new eyes, amidst characters, stories, and imaginary worlds.

Guest companies

The festival invites companies from all over Italy specializing in street theatre, puppet theatre, and animation to Veroli. The 2026 edition featured Cerchio Tondo, with its skill games and woodworking and puppet workshops; Molino Rosenkranz, with participatory animation and kite and paper bird workshops; and Officina A_ctuar, with its life-sized "Game of the Goose," an interactive game-show that turns the square into a giant living board.

The artistic direction of Terzostudio

The artistic curation of the event is entrusted to Terzostudio — Progetti per lo spettacolo, a historic Tuscan organization specializing in street theatre and performing arts festivals, which has partnered with the Municipality of Veroli since the very first edition. This collaboration has given the festival a recognizable programme, built on artistic quality, participation, and free admission.

Veroli, a city of art in Ciociaria

Attending the festival is also an opportunity to discover Veroli, one of the most fascinating villages in the Lazio Region: its medieval historic centre with its cyclopean walls, the Basilica of Santa Salome with its Holy Stairs, and, just outside the city, the famous Casamari Abbey, a masterpiece of Cistercian architecture. A setting that makes the Veraviglioso Festival a complete experience, blending performance, play, and cultural heritage.