Festivals in Sicily
Hundreds
of reasons to celebrate...
Sicily has many different festivals throughout
the year and it is wonderful to see the way the Sicilians enjoy celebrating.
Everybody seems to join in and visitors are welcomed with open arms.
There are about 200 festivals just in Eastern Sicily alone!
Some of the most popular festivals are as follows:
January- Carnival in Acireale
In Acireale - from the 20th Jan
The most beautiful carnival in Sicily with decorated floats, cars decorated with flowers, folk music, musical bands, open air shows, firework displays and local cuisine. - Feast of Saint Sebastian
Acireale, Giarre, Maniace and Piedemonte Etneo - 20th Jan
In Acrireale try marzipan cakes traditionally made for the feast. - 3 days on Etna
Nicolosi - Between January and March
International skiing competition!
- Feast of Saint Agatha
Catania - 3rd to 5th Feb
Grandiose celebrations in honour of Saint Agatha with a spectacular Candlemas procession and procession of the precious litter with the remains of the martyr. - Feast of Saint Biagio
Bronte and Sant' Alfio - 3rd Feb
In particular in Sant' Alfio distribution of "cuddureddi of San Brasi", a type of bread blessed in the Calvary church. - Tour of Etna
International cycling race. - Nordic Ski Meeting
Sant' Alfio
Excursions arranged locally on the slopes of Mount Etna. - VineNeve
Sant' Alfio
In joint collaboration with the skiing club, a celebration of local wine and skiing. Wine tasting arranged at local vineyards along with excursions for walking or skiing. - Carnivals
Taormina, Acicatena, Belpasso, Biancavilla, Calatabianco, Castiglione di Sicilia, Fiumefreddo, Giarre, Mirabella Imbaccari, Misterbianco, Paterno.
- Feast of Saint Joseph
Adrano, Biancavilla, Fiumefreddo di Sicilia, Maletto, Mascalucia, Mazzarone, Mirabella Imbaccari, Nicolosi, Raddusa, Ramacca and Randazzo - 19th March
In Maletto traditional "sfilateddi chi ciciri" and rice "crespelle" with honey. - Display and Market of Pillow Lace
Tremestieri Etneo in March - Citrus fruit Festival
Motta Sant' Anastasia - late March to early April - Display of Easter Bread and Cakes
Giarre and Macchia
At the Museum of Customs and Traditions of the People of Etna. - Good Friday
Bronte, Giarre, Sant' Alfio.
Processions through the streets of Christ. - La Diavolata
Adrano. Easter Sunday.
Performance of the religious drama dating back to 1752. - Festival of Cheeses
Aci Bonaccorsi - 3rd Sunday of April.
Typical Sicilian products. - Arts and Crafts display
Linguaglossa - 29th April to 1st May. - April Festival
Nicolosi, Folklore and tasting of typical Sicilian products.
May
- Traditional Costume and Sicilian Cart Fair
Taormina - Feast of Saints Alfio, Cirino and Filadlfo
Trecastagni - 7th to 12th May
Procession of devotees called "nudes" and fiar with stalls selling fresh garlic. Specialities made with lamb and mutton. - Festival of the Mountain
Sant' Alfio - Second half of the month
Excursions to charming locations on Mount Etna. - Feast of Sant' Alfio
Adrano - last Sunday of the month
Sicilian carts pulled by sumptuously harnessed horses, players of typical ancient instruments. - Feast of Our Lady of La Strada
Giarre
In Santa Maria La Strada a Popular sausage festival, "crispelle" of various flavours, singers, band music.
June
- Taormina Arte
Taormina - June, July and August
One of the most famous events in Sicily. Set in the ancient Geek amphitheatre. - Taormina Film Festival
World famous guests, film directors come to this festival. Set in the Ancient theatre it usually lasts for a week. - Strawberry Festival
Maletto - Second half of the month
Display market of strawberries and products, tastings, folklore, drama and music. - Feast of Saint Peter
Riposto - 29th June
Procession of boats and entertainment. - Piedemontese Summer
Piedemonte Etneo - June to September
Drama, entertainment and food in the streets. - Taormina Arte
Taormina - June, July and August
One of the most famous events in Sicily. Based in the ancient Geek amphitheatre.
July
- Medieval Festival
Randazzo - Last week in July
In the centre of town. Concerts, round tables, medieval displays and banquets. - Etna Week
Linguaglossa - 18th to 25th July
In the streets. Some of the most interesting events is the Etna Pentathlon. - Feast of Saint Venera
Acireale - 24th to 27th July - Etna Jazz
Mascali (23rd), Bronte (25th)
In the streets jazz music reviews. - Feast of Saint Andrew
Milo - Last Sunday of the month
Traditional celebrations and folklore. - Brontestate
Bronte - July and August
Review of music, drama cabaret, and Italian fashion. - Catania Summer of Music
Catania - July and August
Review of chamber music in the ancient Roman Odeon. - Sounds of Verses
Catania - July to September
Music, prose and literature. - Old Steam Train
Catania - July to September
Visit Militello, Vizzini, Grammichele, Caltagirone, Castiglione, Randazzo. Departure form the station. - The Frying Pan
Aci Trezza. Fish festival.
August
- Octopus Festival
Aci Castello - 1st weekend of the month - Feast of Our Lady of Providence
Zafferana Etnea - 1st Sunday of the month - Night of Saint Lawrence
Nicolosi - 10th Aug
At the Sapienza mountain hut. Music and picnic. - Medieval Festival
Motta Sant' Anastasia - 10th-22nd Aug
Historical parades. - Show beneath the stars
Viagrande in Piazza S. Mauro - 20th Aug - Baroque Week
Militello in Val di Catania - August and September
Music, historical parade, living chess match and jousting. - Fish festival
Fondachello
September
- Milo Wines
Milo - 4th, 5th, 11th and 12th Sept
In Via Etnea, display and sales of wines from Milo and Mt Etna. - Feast of Our Lady Child and Fish Festival
Catania - 8th Sept
With procession of boats at Ognina. - Inside the Volcano
Catania - 11th Sept to 3rd Nov
Exhibition of archaeological finds in the caves of the island's volcano, Mt Etna. At Le Ciminiere. - Wine Festival
Enoetna, Santa Venerina - 17th, 18th, 19th, 24th and 25th
Displays and sales of Sicilian wines. - Etna-Wines
Sant' Alfio - First half of the month
Wines from Mt Etna and local Sicilian produce. - Grape Harvest Festival
Piedemonte Etneo, Viagrande - 24th to 26th Sept
Costume parades, folklore, pressing of grapes in traditional ways.
October
- Pistachio Festival
Bronte - 2nd week of the month
Exhibition and tasting of dishes made with pistachio. - Grape Harvest Festival
Randazzo - Various : prickly pear, chestnut, honey, must cake and mushroom festivals all over the region, including Zafferana Etnea.
November
- Feast of Saint Martin
Linguaglossa, Milo, Giarre - 11th Nov
Tasting of wines and local produce - Chestnut and Wine Festival
Zafferana Etnea - Olive Oil Festival
Milo
Local produce and crafts. - Exhibition of wines
Linguaglossa
December
- Sounds and Lights of Christmas
Sant' Alfio - 20th Dec to 10th Jan
Exhibition of cribs and musical events. - Christmas in Catania
Catania
Numerous activities and events to celebrate Christmas.
If you have any queries, our FAQ page may have the answer that you are looking for. We also welcome you to send us an email, or if you prefer, you can give us a call. All our contact information is available on our contact us page.
| 
