Festivals in Sicily: A Month-by-Month Guide
Sicily celebrates life in every season. From ancient rites that light up baroque streets to seaside food fiestas and world-class cinema, there’s always a reason to raise a glass and join the crowd. Use this month-by-month guide to find your perfect moment to experience the island’s most beloved traditions.
January — Bonfires & Blessings
Many villages honor Saint Anthony with crackling bonfires, music, and the blessing of animals—warmth and community in the heart of winter. Around January 6, children await La Befana, the kind witch who brings sweets.
February — Carnival of Acireale
One of Italy’s most beautiful carnivals, Acireale dazzles with papier-mâché floats, confetti storms, and costumed parades. Street vendors serve warm pignolata and sweet wine as the party spills late into the night.
March — Almond Blossom & Folk Traditions
Near Agrigento, the Almond Blossom Festival welcomes spring with folkloric dances and international groups marching beneath ancient temples. Markets brim with torrone and marzipan treats.
April — Easter Rites & “The Dance of the Devils”
Holy Week processions glow with candles across the island. In Prizzi, the theatrical Ballu di Diavuli (Dance of the Devils) pits masked devils and angels in a dramatic chase through the streets.
May — Infiorata di Noto
Baroque Noto becomes a living gallery as artists create breathtaking carpets of flowers along Via Nicolaci. It’s a weekend of color, craft, and celebration—arrive early to watch the artworks take shape.
June — Solstice Fires & Open Wineries
The feast of San Giovanni (St. John) brings night markets, folk songs, and midsummer rituals—sometimes even fire-jumping for good luck. Across Italy, Cantine Aperte welcomes visitors into wineries for tastings.
July — Taormina Film Festival
Under the stars of the ancient Greek Theatre, the Taormina Film Festival screens international premieres in an unforgettable setting where sea breezes mingle with cinema applause.
August — Ferragosto & Festino di Santa Rosalia
Mid-August Ferragosto is Sicily in full holiday mode—beach picnics, fireworks, and late-night concerts. In Palermo, the Festino di Santa Rosalia fills streets with devotion and spectacle.
September — Cous Cous Fest, San Vito Lo Capo
Chefs from across the Mediterranean meet in San Vito Lo Capo to celebrate couscous, a delicious legacy of Sicily’s Arab past. Expect tastings, cooking shows, music, and long sunsets on golden sands.
October — ChocoModica & Chestnut Season
Modica honors its unique cold-processed chocolate with stalls, workshops, and irresistible aromas. In the Nebrodi and Etna foothills, chestnut festivals bring roasted treats and mountain hospitality.
November — New Oil & Day of the Dead
Olive mills press the year’s first olio nuovo—peppery and vibrant—while families mark the Festa dei Morti with marzipan fruits and gifts for children “from the ancestors.”
December — Living Nativities & Sweet Traditions
Villages stage presepi viventi—living nativity scenes with costumed locals and candlelit lanes—while bakeries fill with buccellato, torrone, and ricotta-rich holiday pastries.
Planning Tips
Book early: Popular festivals fill up fast—reserve stays and key restaurants in advance.
Arrive before the event: Many festivals are best experienced from the morning build-up to evening crescendo.
Eat local: Look for seasonal specialties tied to each celebration—street snacks, sweets, and village wines.