Wild Boar Pappardelle Festival

A twenty-year tradition at the gates of Rome

Reaching its twentieth edition in 2025, the Wild Boar Pappardelle Festival is the signature autumn event in Sacrofano, a charming village in the Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, nestled in the hills of the Veio Park, about twenty-five kilometers north of the capital. The event is organized by the Pro Loco of Sacrofano with the patronage of the Municipality of Sacrofano, the Lazio Region, and the Veio Park Authority, attracting numerous visitors from Rome and the surrounding province every third weekend of October.

Pappardelle with wild boar ragù, the stars of the festival

The heart of the festival is the food stand set up in Piazza Ugo Serata, where Pro Loco volunteers serve pappardelle with wild boar ragù, prepared with local fresh pasta according to the traditional recipe. The menu is rounded out by grilled chops, wild boar stew, salad, bread, water, and local wine, while those with a sweet tooth can enjoy wine-infused cookies and, when the autumn weather calls for it, a glass of mulled wine. Every dish is accompanied by extra virgin olive oil and local wines, ambassadors of the authentic flavors of the Roman countryside.

Beyond gastronomy: walks, motors, and crafts

A rich program of activities for all ages revolves around the food stand. On Sunday morning, guided walks in the Veio Park and on Mount Musino begin, along with tours of the medieval village of Sacrofano. Along the main street, vintage cars and motorcycles parade—in 2025 featuring a display of historic scooters by the Vespa Club Capena—while the local craft market brings the town center to life. Live music accompanies the Saturday evening and Sunday lunch, and there are free bouncy castles for children.

Sacrofano and the Veio Park

The festival is also an excellent opportunity to discover Sacrofano, a village of medieval origin clustered around its historic center, and the Veio Park territory, a protected natural area of the Lazio Region situated between the Via Cassia and Via Flaminia. It is a land of woods, gorges, and ancient Etruscan and Faliscan roads where the wild boar is at home: this is the origin of the deep bond between the festival's signature dish and its territory, which the event celebrates in a convivial and genuine atmosphere.

An autumn ritual that renews itself

The event repeats every year on the third weekend of October: after the twentieth edition on October 18-19, 2025, the twenty-first edition is expected for the weekend of October 17-18, 2026, pending official confirmation from the organizers. Admission to the event is free, with dishes and menus available for purchase at the food stand: one more reason to treat yourself to an autumn day trip among the flavors and landscapes of the Roman Tuscia.