After a particularly warm and sunny September, autumn officially arrives the first weekend of October and the region of Lazio abounds with celebrations of the new season. The now world-famous Grape Harvest Festival at Marino near Rome, in its 87 th edition, runs over the weekend and into next week with music, cabaret, dance, a historic parade and the phenomenon of the town fountain flowing with wine. Fans of local Sagre (food festivals) will be spoiled for choice this weekend, which also sees the Hot Chocolate Festival at Tuscania, in Etruria, the Tortello (a special cake filled with ricotta cheese) Festival at Piansano (Viterbo), the Truffle and Porcini Mushroom Festival at Pastena (near Frosinone), the Porchetta (roast suckling pig) Festival at Poggio Bustone and Sagne di Farro (pasta made with spelt) Festival at Cineto Romano. On the 9 October, it will be the turn of Soriano sul Cimino (near Viterbo), with the Chestnut Sagra, where entertainment includes a medieval joust and a photography competition,