Pizza Fest returns to Gaeta. The second edition of «Pizza Fest – una fetta di storia» is scheduled from Friday 23 to Sunday 25 October 2026, and this year it moves to a new location: pizza takes to the streets along Corso Italia and in the new Piazza dei Maestri Vetrai. Three days of cooking shows, live music, food & beer and, for the first time, gluten-free pizza. On Friday 23 October, in Piazza dei Maestri Vetrai, there is a free concert by Cugini di Campagna.
Pizza Fest 2026: dates and location
- When: Friday 23, Saturday 24, and Sunday 25 October 2026
- Where: Corso Italia and Piazza dei Maestri Vetrai, the square opened in December 2025 between Corso Italia, Via Serapide, and the former Avir site
- What: cooking shows, live music, food & beer
- What’s new: gluten-free pizza
- Guests: Friday 23 October Cugini di Campagna in concert, free admission
The first announced guest is Cugini di Campagna; times, the schedule for the other evenings, and the pizza chefs for the 2026 edition have not yet been released: we will add them here as soon as they are announced. All the events of the month can be found in things to do in Gaeta in October, and the event page is Pizza Fest a Gaeta.
Friday 23 October: Cugini di Campagna in concert
The opening night of Pizza Fest features an artist that draws large crowds: on Friday 23 October, in Piazza dei Maestri Vetrai, Cugini di Campagna, the band behind “Anima mia”, will take the stage. Admission is free; the start time has not yet been announced. Everything about the Cugini di Campagna concert in Gaeta.
New for 2026: gluten-free pizza
This year Pizza Fest takes a step forward: for the first time, there will also be gluten-free pizza. The organizers introduced this option so that everyone can enjoy the festival and savor pizza with peace of mind, including those who cannot eat gluten. Anyone with celiac disease can ask directly at the stands about how it is prepared.
Why in Gaeta: a slice of history
The festival’s name is not just a slogan. In a document from 997 AD preserved in the Codex Diplomaticus Caietanus, the word “pizza” makes its appearance: it is the earliest known written mention, connecting this dish to Gaeta for over a thousand years. Alongside pizza, the festival also showcases local flavours: tiella, Gaeta olives, and other traditional local specialties.
How to get there
Corso Italia is the central street of Gaeta, located between Serapo and the port. For parking and ZTL (restricted traffic zone) details, read the guide to parking in Gaeta; if you are arriving from Formia or nearby towns, there are Cotral buses.
What the first edition was like (2025)
This section covers the previous edition: the names listed below do not apply to 2026.
The first edition took place from 17 to 19 October 2025 in Piazza XIX Maggio, organized by the municipal administration together with the Pro Loco of Gaeta and the support of Regione Lazio and ARSIAL. Working the pizza ovens were Marco Quintili, Errico Porzio, and Salvatore Lionello; in the evenings, there was a One Man Show with a surprise guest, the performance by Vincenzo De Lucia, and “La Notte delle Leggende del Rock” with tribute bands for Queen, Genesis, and Pink Floyd.
Frequently asked questions
When is Pizza Fest 2026 held in Gaeta?
From Friday 23 to Sunday 25 October 2026.
Where does Pizza Fest take place this year?
Along Corso Italia and in Piazza dei Maestri Vetrai. In 2025, it was held in Piazza XIX Maggio.
Is there gluten-free pizza at Pizza Fest?
Yes. The new addition for the 2026 edition is gluten-free pizza, introduced so that everyone can enjoy the festival’s pizza, even those who cannot consume gluten.
What time does it start and who will be there?
On Friday 23 October, in Piazza dei Maestri Vetrai, Cugini di Campagna will perform, with free admission. Times, pizza chefs, and other guests for 2026 have not yet been announced: we will update this page as soon as the full schedule is released.
Why is Pizza Fest called «una fetta di storia»?
Because the earliest known written mention of the word “pizza” is found in a Gaeta document dating back to 997 AD, in the Codex Diplomaticus Caietanus.
Sources
2026 edition: official poster and organizers’ announcements, including the gluten-free pizza update (6 October 2026). Cugini di Campagna concert: official poster published on the band’s social media pages (6 October 2026). Location: Comune di Gaeta, Piazza dei Maestri Vetrai. 2025 edition: Latina Oggi, 2025 schedule on SportGaetano.tv.
