Sicily Events, Things to Do and Festivals 2014 / 2015

(Sicily, Italy)

Sicily enjoys hundreds of festivals and events throughout the year, mainly representing its rich culture and history. There are scores of worthwhile festivals in Eastern Sicily alone, and the towns and villages around Catania really do come alive with all types of events and things to do.

Easter time in Catholic Sicily is the busiest with regard to religious events, with spectacular parades, church visits and much feasting and celebrating. In addition are film and food festivals, together with frequent beach parties and live music.

Sicily Calendar of Festivals and Events 2014 / 2015

January

• Acireale Carnival - late January, Sicily's most extravagant carnival takes place in the town of Acireale, just up from Catania, and features music, parades, eating and fireworks
• Feast of Saint Sebastian - mid-January, Acireale, Maniace, Piedemonte Etneo, and Giarre all celebrate this saint with the eating of traditional marzipan cakes

February

• Feast of Saint Agatha - early February, grand celebrations take place in Catania in honour of Saint Agatha. There is also a Candlemas procession
• Almond Blossom Festival - a key Agrigento event featuring live shows, a beauty contest and lots of eating, all under the gaze of the almond blossom

March

• Feast of Saint Joseph - mid-March, villages across Sicily, including Adrano, Nicolosi and Randazzo, commemorate this day with the eating of traditional cakes made with rice and honey
• Display of Easter Bread and Cakes - celebrating Easter in the Etna towns of Giarre and Macchia with the eating of traditional breads and cakes

April

• Festival of Cheeses - late April, a tasty event for those near Catania at Aci Bonaccorsi, featuring the delicious Sicilian cheeses

May

• World Festival on the Beach - late May, features a week of sporting events and activities on Mondello Beach, in Palermo. This is a busy week where booking hotels ahead is advised
• Feast of Sant' Alfio - late May, gaily painted Sicilian carts are pulled by horses, while costumed attendants play ancient instruments. The event takes place in Adrano

June

• Taormina Film Festival - a fun event set within in a hilltop Greek amphitheatre in Taormina, with the focus on Sicilian and Italian movies
• Strawberry Festival - mid-June, Maletto sees the en-masse scoffing of strawberries by locals and tourists. The event also includes drama, music and other sweet products

July

• Medieval Festival - late July, a week-long festival in the centre of the small town of Randazzo that features concerts, medieval displays and feasting
• U Fistini Festival - mid-July, over five days of fun in Palermo, dedicated to the city's patron saint, St. Rosalia. Music, dancing and drinking are the main highlights, while relics of the great saint are paraded through the streets of the capital
• Marsala Jazz Festival - mid-July, sponsored by wine companies based in the historic city of Marsala, on the western side of the island, attracting many major jazz musicians

August

• Night of Saint Lawrence - August 10th, a low-key event featuring music and a picnic on Mount Sapienza in Nicolosi, between Catania and Mount Etna
• Baroque Week - late August / early September, a fun week of games in Militello in southern Sicily, with a parade, music, chess and jousting

September

• Inside the Volcano Exhibition - September to early November, three weeks of archaeological exhibitions in Catania featuring items found in Mount Etna's caves
• Palermo di Scena Festival - a summer-long festival in the capital city, with musicals, theatre and cinema

October

• Pistachio Festival - mid-October, in Bronte for a week of pistachio-infused tasting, as well as exhibitions galore

November

• Feast of Saint Martin - mid-November, wine tasting and sampling local produce is the order of the Feast of Saint Martin in Linguaglossa, Giarre and Milo

December

• Sounds and Lights of Christmas - mid-December to mid-January, with a surprising line up of musical events and exhibitions
• Christmas in Catania - December 25th, events and activities are staged all over Sicily on Christmas Day

More information about Palermo Festivals.