Closeup view of a horse’s head of a Sicilian cart during a festival (siculodoc (123RF))
Sicily is filled with history and never-ending festivals. Whether there is a religious celebration, or a festival geared towards food, you will definitely find something to look forward to on this beautiful Mediterranean island. The list below is certainly not all that is available, but these are some of the local festivals you should consider putting on your calendars!
The Feast of Saint Agatha is held from February 3rd to the 5th in the center of Catania. This famous celebration is for the patron saint of Catania, and these three days attract tourists, onlookers and devotees. There are traditional ceremonies, magnificent parades that flow through the streets of Catania and, of course, fireworks. Each day has a different traditional celebration so do your own due diligence and be prepared to be surrounded by thousands of people.
* Pro Tip – The local Sigonella MWR will lead tours to this festival!
Outside of this annual festival, there are two famous treats that are dedicated to this patron saint. You can try the minne di Sant’Agata which are small cassatas (cakes) or the olivette di Sant’Agata, small morsels of almond paste colored green. Both of these have a historical tie to Saint Agatha!
This Almond Blossom Festival is another highly anticipated event that occurs in the region of Agrigento. This festival is dedicated to the beauty of the almond blossoms that are blooming after winter, a celebration of spring. The trees typically bloom in early February causing Agrigento to be covered in beautiful white and pink petals.
The festival has also evolved in recent years with the International Folklore Festival, making this week-long festival in March come alive with traditional costumes and dances accompanied with local delicacies.
At the Noto Festival (Anna DeLange)
The Noto Flower Festival is the famous flower festival that happens annually on the third Sunday in May in the town of Noto. There is a huge temporary art installation that is dedicated to one singular staircase decorated mostly with flowers. The floral artists also use different colored soils, seeds and even kernels. You can come to this festival each year and see new designs as there is a new theme for each year. The festival is considered among the most beautiful events on the island of Sicily. It has even gotten so popular in recent years that they have extended the visiting period from a single weekend to a five-day event.
* Pro Tip – Sigonella MWR offers a tour, so you don’t have to worry about parking or transportation. As a bonus, the MWR tour includes a lunch before heading over to this event.
This is a more than 50 year old annual summer festival in Messina. This festival has been through many name changes; however, that hasn’t stopped famous international stars from appearing. Nowadays, this festival runs for nine days and has screenings at three locations in Taormina. The Ancient Theatre is used to screen new films while the other two locations typically screen shorts or tributes to filmmakers of the past.
The yearly film festival is held either at the end of June or in the month of July. Plan ahead as tickets tend to go quickly for this famous festival. Maybe you will get a glimpse of famous celebrities or see a new movie premiere.
Located in San Vito Lo Capo, the Couse Couse Fest is a relatively new event and yet it is already internationally renowned! This festival started in 1998 and celebrates cultural integration and diversity by honoring the symbolic dish of the Mediterranean. The festival’s program has broadened from simply chefs sharing and challenging each other with recipes to now including cultural, musical and entertainment events as well. For 2024, this event is scheduled for September 20th through the 29th.
At the Noto Festival (Anna DeLange)
The Pistachio Festival is in the town of Bronte, home to world-famous pistachios. They are even protected by a Denominazione di Origine Protetta (DOP) label, which is a label that guarantees that an item is produced, processed and packaged in a specific zone and is very regulated. The festival is definitely the spot for you to try pistachio-flavored gelato or granita, cakes, pasta and arancini. The festival is not just based around food. It also features exhibitions from local artists of Bronte. This festival occurs around the end of September and October so be on the lookout. In 2024, it is being hosted from September 28th to October 6th.
