Vicoli in Festa

A village celebration on Mount Soratte

Vicoli in Festa — also known as the Alleys Festival — is the most anticipated summer event in Sant'Oreste, a village in the province of Rome nestled on the slopes of Mount Soratte, the solitary mountain that dominates the Tiber Valley north of the capital. For three nights in August, the historic center comes alive: the streets and small squares of the village become one large stage where gastronomy, music, crafts, and folk culture intertwine until late at night.

A history that began in 1991

The festival began in 1991 as an initiative by a few local businesses and, edition after edition, has grown to become one of the most popular summer events in the Lazio region north of Rome, drawing thousands of curious visitors and folk culture enthusiasts each year. In 2025, the event celebrated its 33rd edition with a tribute to the founders who brought the initiative to life over thirty years ago.

The route through the alleys

The heart of the festival is its itinerary: a route that starts at Porta Valle and climbs through the village up to the Spiazzo, the highest point in town. Along the way, you will find a succession of food stalls, craft booths, local association spaces, exhibitions, and musical stages. It is a formula that invites you to get lost in the alleys, discovering a different flavor, melody, or performance at every corner.

Authentic flavors of Roman and local cuisine

The food and wine aspect is central: the stalls offer the authentic flavors of Roman cuisine and local specialties, while the village's restaurants and shops participate with dedicated menus. It is a perfect opportunity to taste the culinary tradition of this part of Lazio, between the Sabina area and the Tiber Valley.

Music, street performers, and DJ sets

Every evening, the village comes alive with live music performances, street theater, and scattered shows. In recent editions, the program has been enriched with thematic itineraries — cultural, photographic, musical, and artisanal — and new features such as the late-night DJ set at the Giardino Primo Acqua, which in 2025 extended the festivities past 11:30 PM, and the art exhibition set up in Piazza Canali.

Crafts and local associations

Alongside food and music, Vicoli in Festa provides space for craft markets featuring artistic creations and local handmade goods, as well as an associative path that involves the area's cultural and social organizations: a way to tell the story of the village through those who live there all year round.

A festival supported by the community

The event is promoted by the Pro Loco of Sant'Oreste with the patronage of the Municipality of Sant'Oreste and the support of the Lazio Region. The organization also manages services for the public, such as the free shuttle bus that connects the sports field to the town center during the festival evenings. For those visiting Lazio in mid-summer, it is the ideal occasion to discover an authentic village less than an hour from Rome, with the unmistakable silhouette of Mount Soratte as a backdrop.