Vetralla Tozzetto Festival

A festival dedicated to Vetralla's signature sweet

Established in 2022, the Vetralla Tozzetto Festival is the event that the Municipality of Vetralla, in the province of Viterbo, dedicates to its most iconic confectionery product: the hazelnut tozzetto, a crunchy biscuit typical of the Tuscia region. Promoted by the Department of Culture and Tourism in collaboration with the Pro Loco Vetralla APS, the Caprarola Hotel School, the Lazio Region, and Lazio Crea, the event transforms Piazza della Rocca and the streets of the historic center into a grand showcase of local flavors and traditions for an entire weekend in late November.

The tozzetto, a Tuscia delicacy

The tozzetto is the quintessential holiday treat in the Viterbo area: a rustic biscuit made with hazelnuts from the Cimini Mountains, a key ingredient in local pastry-making, traditionally paired with vin santo or a sweet wine. During the festival, local bakeries and producers offer tastings and sales, while students from the Caprarola hotel institute host live cooking demonstrations, revealing all the stages of the biscuit's preparation to the public. There are also in-depth discussions on the confectionery supply chain and hazelnut production, featuring key players from the agricultural and artisanal sectors of the Tuscia region.

The longest tozzetto in the world

The most anticipated moment of the festival is the Guinness World Record attempt for the longest tozzetto in the world. In the 2025 edition, the bakers of La Fornaretta, with the participation of local bakeries, baked a giant 210-centimeter tozzetto, which was paraded through the streets of the town before being sliced and distributed to attendees: a delicious, collective ritual that embodies the spirit of the festival. Alongside the record attempt, the Best Vetralla Tozzetto Contest invites participants to showcase family recipes, gluten-free versions, and creative interpretations of the biscuit.

The Grand Christmas Parade and festive lights

The festival officially opens the celebrations leading up to Christmas: on Sunday afternoon, the Grand Parade travels through the city with marching bands, majorettes, flag-wavers, the Club 500, motorcyclists, and local sports associations. At dusk, the lights in Piazza della Rocca and the Christmas tree in the Cura district are illuminated, accompanied by hot chocolate, the enchanting 'alley of lights' in the historic center, and Santa's post office for the little ones.

A weekend for everyone

The program alternates between cultural walks—such as the 'Way of Demeter' route—period costume strolls, children's activities at the Municipal Library, tasting stands, and live music. It is a festival designed for families, where the Vetralla community gathers together with visitors from all over the province of Viterbo and the Lazio region.

Vetralla, between the Via Francigena and the Cimini Mountains

Nestled along the Via Cassia at the foot of the Cimini Mountains, Vetralla is a historic stop on the Via Francigena, featuring a medieval center clustered around the fortress and the Cathedral. The festival is the perfect opportunity to discover the village and the surrounding countryside, with its hazelnut groves, olive orchards, and nearby Etruscan sites of the Tuscia region.