2019 Calendar of Events for Southeast Sicily January - June
(Please verify all dates before you plan your visit)
Presepe Vivente - Living Nativity Scene - Giarratana, Ragusa Ibla, Scicli, Palazzolo, Chiaramonte Gulfi and many other towns in the area.
Check for Presepe dates from late December to early January for each city
Also many other scenes of Sicilian life from hundreds of years ago. A fascinating look back in history reenacted before your very eyes. Stroll through the streets of old Giarratana and let your imagination take you back to a bygone era.
Nearly all of the cities in the area such as Ragusa Ibla, Scicli, Palazzolo, Chiaramonte Gulfi and many others have similar events, all well worth viewing.
Giarratana Presepe - 27th Annual
December 26th, 28th, January 1st and 6th not verified
Long considered one of the finest Presepe Vivente in Southeastern Sicily. A beautiful setting in the oldest part of the city, ending on the site of the old castle grounds.
Carnival in Chiaramonte Gulfi
12th February to 17th February - Dates not verified
Parade of floats, games for kids of all ages, cooking demonstrations with award winning chefs - not to be missed! Chiaramonte Gulfi is known for its fantastic Ragusano style sausage. It is a chunky pork sausage with spicy hot peppers and fennel. The sausage festival is held during the carnival period on Monday evening in Piazza Duomo. Sausage, sandwiches, local wine, and afterwards dancing through the night in the Piazza.
Carnival in Palazzolo Acreide
12th February to 17th of February - Dates not verified
One of the oldest carnivals in Sicily, dating back to the medieval period. Today it is a huge event in Palazzolo with fantastic and elaborate masks and wild music! A week of food, fun and floats. It is usually combined with the sausage festival. Enjoy plates of "cavatieddi" pasta with pork sauce! Many other events and a large selection of diverse foods.
Carnival in Sciacca
February 14th - 17th - dates not confirmed
The week (Thursday) before the start of Lent/ In Sciacca one of the most famous, and largest festivals of the year. The CARNIVAL OF SCIACCA will amaze you with fantastic parade of floats, food and wine, sausages, pastas, carts, ceramics and masked groups all parading through the historical center of Sciacca. Folk groups, dancing and singing will delight everyone! The Carnevale kicks off with the arrival of The King of Carnevale, Peppe Napa, coming in by sea. The excitement grabs the entire city and the celebration is officially in full swing! Sciacca is also only a few miles drive to the Valley of the Temples
Nearly every village and city has a large festival to celebrate Easter Sunday. Pick your favorite city or try someplace new for your Easter celebration and you won't be disappointed.
44th Annual Ricotta Festival - Vizzini, Sicily
24 to 25 April - St. Mark's Day and Liberation Day coincide.
Folklore, gastronomy and entertainment. See ricotta made the old fashioned way in giant copper kettles and sample all kinds of Sicilian delicacies. Plan on spending the entire day as this is such a fun and lively festival. Bring your appetite! www.vizzinisaporiesaperi.com
Festival of Cavatieddi (pasta) - Monterosso Almo, Sicily
28th April - 3rd Sat. after Easter (verify date)
Located in the Piazza Sant'Antonio.
The festival highlights this special shape of pasta with a delicious pork sauce made by the local housewives, tantalizing desserts such as cannoli and crispelle and flowing local red wine.
Just a half an hour drive from Ragusa, this hilltop village is delightful.
Sagra del Pecorino pepato (Festival of peppered Pecorino)
24th to 26th April - Castel di Iudica, rural borghetto of Francetto - Dates not verified
Come taste the wonderful cheeses, and explore the crafts and culture of this extraordinary area.
Salone del Sapore (Hall of Tastes) - Catania
12th to 15th April - dates not verified.
Held at Agri food market in Catania. A large food fair featuring original, authentic foods, olive oils, wines and other items for the kitchen and chef, all made in Italy.
Tomato Festival in Sampieri
30th April to 4th May - verify dates
Lovely seaside village, close to Scicli. Taste the age old recipes and marinades.
The Greek Theatre of Syracuse was built in the 5th century BC, in the city of Syracuse in eastern Sicily. It was reconstructed by Hieron I in the 3rd century BC, and that setup is essentially preserved to the current day. (Wikipedia)
Don't miss seeing one of the spectacular plays set in this wonderfully preserved, ancient theatre.
Infiorata di Noto - Noto, Sicily
17th to 19th May - 3rd weekend in May - dates verified
Considered on of the most beautiful events on the whole island, it began more than 26 years ago by a group of artists from Genzano. All of the scenes are actually made from flower petals.
Classical Theater Festival of Youth - Greek Theatre, Palazzolo Acreide, Sicily
The event will begin on 11 May and will end on June 2, 2019
The 25th edition of the International Festival of Classical Theater of young
The event is organized with the support of Sicily Foundation. On stage at the Greek Theater in Akrai there will be many groups. There will be a representation of 88 classic works by over 2,400 students. They are students of secondary schools and lower superiorie and Universities. They come from various parts of Europe and the Mediterranean . The participation of young people from France, Greece, Germany, Belgium, Great Britain and Tunisia. A unique occasion for celebration and theater. www.indafondazione.org
Festa di San Giorgio - Ragusa Ibla, Sicily
31st May to 2nd of June and several days before - check for local activities.
(Feast of San Giorgio)
The Festival of San Giorgio in Ragusa Ibla is a week long celebration highlighting musical concerts with well know artists, fireworks and a procession with the statue of San Giorgio being carried on the shoulders of many followers. It culminates with the last 3 days of festivities and huge fireworks displays.
The Granita Festival to start the summer off on a sweet and refreshing note. Experience granita at is very best. With many flavours to chose from there is one for every taste.
Sagra della Testa di Turco in Scicli
June 13th to 16th - Scicli, Sicily - Date verfied
The Feast of the Militias returns and with it the traditional Sagra delle Teste di Turco.
The event is dedicated to the typical dessert sciclitano and is held on the occasion of the Feast of the Madonna delle Milizie patron saint of the city of Scicli, which is celebrated in the city every year on the last Saturday of May (this year on June 15).
Fiera Della Contea (County Fair and Trade show)
June 15th to 23rd - Modica, Sicily - Date verfied
Attracting more than 50,000 visitors a year, the 23rd edition of the Fiera Della Contea or County Fair 2017 will be held again this year on the Contrada Caitina. One of the largest events of the year, it features cooking seminars, tastings, products for the kitchen and many organic foods to choose from. There are also planned many different entertainment shows which will be announced shortly. Check back for actual dates.
Taormina Film Festival - Taormina, Sicily
June 30th to July 6th 2019 - Dates verified
Taormina Film Fest (65th edition) Nicole Kidman will be the guest of honor of the 65th edition of the Taormina Film Festival. A week long celebration of new films presented in the historic and picturesque town of Taormina, Sicily. One of the premiere movie festivals each year. Come and enjoy this mountaintop city and rub elbows with the stars.
In Palazzolo Acreide, in the province of Siracusa, during the last week of June you will fine the fabulous “Feast of San Paolo”. The village has been celebrating San Paolo since the 1600’s. St. Paul, is considered by the farming community the saint of good harvests and also the healer of snake bites, scorpion bites and tarantula bites.
The feast begins with the unveiling of the statue on the first day. The next day the villagers make their offerings of lavender and bread decorated with the shapes of snakes, which are then blessed and auctioned in the church yard. After mass the Saint is then carried out on the shoulders of many men amidst blazing fireworks, confetti and cheers from all of the people.
As he is carried through the streets, it is tradition to hand up naked babies as a sign of protection for having received grace.
Palazzolo is a UNESCO World Heritage site, with awe-inspiring Baroque architecture, spectacular churches and mouth watering local food.
Please Note: While every effort has been made to provide the correct dates and locations of events and sights in this website, the authors assume no liability as to the accuracy of the dates or locations contained in this website. Please verify all dates and locations prior to planning your visit.
