🌋 Local festivals and events around Mount Etna

🎇 February – Sant’Agata in Catania
One of the biggest religious festivals in Italy. Three days of processions, candles, fireworks and devotion in honor of the patron saint of Catania. Millions of visitors come to this event. Tip: book your stay well in advance!

🎭 February – Carnevale di Acireale
Traditional carnival with colorful flower floats, dance and music. One of the most beautiful carnivals in Italy.

April – La Settimana Santa (Enna)
The Holy Week in Enna is famous throughout Italy. More than 2,000 members of the brotherhood in medieval robes walk in solemn silence through the city. On Good Friday, the procession of “Cristo Morto” and “Maria Addolorata” is simply impressive – subdued, mystical and full of symbolism.

🕊️ May – Festa di Sant’Alfio (Trecastagni)
Pilgrims walk for days to the shrine on Etna. An intense celebration with candles, faith, music and tradition.

⛪ June – La Festa di San Giovanni Battista (Acitrezza)
In the fishing village of Aci Trezza, the patron saint San Giovanni Battista is honoured at the end of June with boat processions at sea, fireworks and festive parades through the narrow streets. A charming festival where faith, maritime tradition and village life merge – with a view of the mythical Cyclopean rocks. (Normally around 23-25 ​​June)

🍓 July – Sagra della Fragola (Maletto)
A festival in honour of the strawberry: market stalls, tastings, music and dancing in this charming mountain village.

🎆 August – A Vara (Randazzo)
A funfair, processions, performances and fireworks in a lively village on the eastern side of Etna, in honour of the patron saint Madonna Assunta. (Normally from 11th to 19th August)

🍷 September – ViniMilo (Milo)
Wine festival with Etna DOC wine tastings, food stands, workshops and music. Perfect for wine lovers!

💚 Sagra del Pistacchio (Bronte – end of September/beginning of October)
In Bronte, the pistacchio capital of Sicily, everything revolves around the “green gold” of Etna. During the Sagra del Pistacchio you can taste pistachio in all its forms: from pasta to gelato and even liqueur. Streets full of market stalls, local crafts and live music make this culinary festival a must for foodies.

🌰 October – Ottobrata Zafferanese (Zafferana Etnea)
Every Sunday in October: street party, with local products (chestnuts, honey, wine), music and crafts. Very popular with Sicilians themselves!

🏛️ Events in the bigger cities

Trapani – I Misteri di Trapani (Easter)
One of the longest and oldest Easter processions in Italy, lasting 24 hours. Groups carry wooden sculptures (the “Misteri”) depicting the Passion of Christ. An intense and visual experience resembling an open-air theatre.

Caltanissetta – La Real Maestranza (Easter)
A special tradition with soldier costumes, drums and torches. Each day of Holy Week has its own rituals, culminating in the Thursday procession through the historic centre.

Palermo – Festino di Santa Rosalia (14 July)
A grand religious festival with theatre, light shows, music and fireworks in honour of Santa Rosalia, the patron saint of Palermo.

Messina – Vara di Ferragosto (15 August)
An impressive procession with a 15-metre high ‘Vara’ (a religious tower) carried by hundreds of people.

Taormina – Estate Taorminese (summer)
Cultural festival in the ancient Greek theatre with concerts, operas, dance and international artists.

🕊️ Religious and folkloric traditions

Settimana Santa (Holy Week before Easter)
In many villages, including Randazzo and Bronte, impressive processions are held with statues, candlelight and silence. Other locations where special Easter processions are held are:

• Pietraperzia – a wooden cross is carried by cloths over 200m long
• Modica & Scicli (Madonna Vasa Vasa) – Meeting between Mary and Jesus
• Caltanissetta (La Real Maestranza) – Tradition with soldier costumes
• Trapani (I misteri di Trapani) – Longest & oldest Easter procession in Italy
• Enna (La Settimana Santa) – Brotherhood members in medieval robes
• Festa di Sant’Alfio (Trecastagni – May)
• Thousands of pilgrims flock to the shrine on the slopes of Etna. A mix of devotion, folklore and tradition.

🌿 Events in the Nebrodi region
The Nebrodi, the green heart of Northern Sicily, are known for their peaceful charm, but there too you will find special traditions:

🧀 January – Il Gioco del Maiorchino (Novara di Sicilia)
Every year in the medieval village of Novara di Sicilia, an ancient game is played: the Gioco del Maiorchino. Large round cheeses made from sheep’s and goat’s milk are rolled through the narrow streets of the village in an exciting and folkloric tournament. A unique spectacle that combines tradition, skill and lots of fun.

🐖 May – Sagra del Suino Nero dei Nebrodi (Cesarò of Caronia)
Tastings, markets and demonstrations around the famous black Nebrodi pig.

🌲 August – Festa della Montagna (San Fratello)
Hiking, nature activities, folklore and food – perfect for nature lovers.

🎶 Summer – Festival dei Nebrodi (various villages)
Cultural and musical events in Randazzo, Montalbano Elicona and San Marco d’Alunzio, among others.

🧀 October – Ottobrando Floresta (Floresta)
In the highest village in Sicily, Floresta in the Nebrodi, the flavours of the region are celebrated every Sunday in October during Ottobrando. Think cheeses, meat from the black Nebrodi pig, chestnuts, strawberries and mushrooms – all fresh from the land. An authentic village festival where you can taste, walk and experience true Sicilian hospitality.

📌 Tips from pianoprovenzana.com

• Closures: during major festivals, roads may be closed
• Crowds: on public holidays, it is busier everywhere, because the Italians themselves are also free and go out. Expect longer travel times and longer queues. So take traffic measures into account during major village festivals.
• Shops: on public holidays, shops often have adjusted opening hours. They are often closed in the afternoon.
• Local events are often announced late: follow us on Instagram for updates: @pianoprovenzana