The only “problem” is to choose where to go:
the winter holidays favor the flourishing of so many Sicly events such as Religious holidays and Feasts.
that will make you to travel for the whole length and breadth of the island without stopping for a moment.
Here it is, one of the most beautiful gifts you can offer yourselves for these holidays and beyond : a journey through Sicily events village festivals!
Catania Saint Agatha
The strong religiousness diffused in Sicily made festivities turn into events of a great charm, and it attracts thousands of visitors coming to admire the beauty of festivals going on alike for centuries. The most famous religious event is probably the evocative feast of St. Agata, which takes place on February from 3rd to 6th.
All of the main streets of the historical center are provided with special lighting in a way that the entire city in enveloped in a fascinating aura.
The very best of this you can find it at the upper side of Via di Sangiuliano where it is set a huge panel wide as the street itself,
depicting a scene from the life of St. Agata.
Acireale Carnival
The famous Carnival of Acireale takes place on early February and it is one of the oldest and most picturesque in Italy. According to historical sources, the first edition dates back to year 1594 when inhabitants of the city were given the opportunity to celebrate carnival festivities in the square.
Since then, the making of what is today considered the real symbol: the famous parade of allegorical wagons, that in Acireale are mostly of two kinds: allegorical or flowered.
The first ones, made with papier-mâché, are the only in the world using plants of light and mechanical pumps,
while the latter are entirely made with floral arrangements.
San Vito Lo Capo Cous Cous Fest
In September star of the show is the “cous cous”, a very poor man’s dish but bringing together,
in this small town in the north-west of Sicily, chefs from around the world in the name of integration and exchange.
Ten days to live joining exciting culinary competitions, cous cous tastings, cooking shows of “starred” chefs, cooking classes for adults and children, concerts by italian and international artists and talk shows.
All of this happens in the beautiful setting of a town that is the perfect location for those in the need to extend their relax during summer holidays,
because of the warm climate, the crystal clear sea and the beauty of beaches getting awarded each year.
Taormina Art Film Festival
Throughout the whole summer season the most important event is doubtless the “Taormina Art”,
taking place in one of the greatest treasures come down to us from the Greek architecture.
The Taormina Art is divided into three sections: Cinema, Theatre, Music and Dance, offering unreleased performances in world premiere. Within this event it has gained great relevance the “Taormina Film Fest”, today‘s main italian-summer film event.
Even here, in the evocative setting of the Ancient Greek Theatre of Taormina,
movies from all over the planet are proposed in world premiere, as well as meetings or discussions about history of cinema are organized.
Sicily Open Cellars
Cantine Aperte (open wineries) is the most important tourist wine event in Italy. Since 1993, on the last sunday of May, wineries of the Wine Tourism Movement open to the public, encouraging a straight contact with the wine lovers.
Cantine Aperte has over time become a philosophy, a style for travelling and discovering the italian wine regions, so now it is a must-see for more and more tourists and wine lovers willing to take part into an unusual experience.
Besides the possibility to taste wines and buy them straight from farms, you can enter the wineries to discover the secrets of winemaking and refining.
Main characters of Cantine Aperte are the young people, in groups or just couples,
who contribute to animate the countless gastronomic and artistic initiatives flourishing all over the country, promoted by the tenants themselves.
Agrigento Flowering Almond Tree
Almond Blossom Festival is a popular celebration going on in the city of Agrigento which, according to tradition, is repeated every year at the beginning of February and it lasts a week.
Main aim is to celebrate the advance of spring season, with blossoming of the almond trees, and to rejoice for Natural life returning. Several folk groups arrive in Agrigento from all over the world to take part in it.
In fact, over the years, the festival has increased its cultural significance sending messages of peace to all populations.
The most important event of the festival occurs during the closing, when the folk groups use to parade using the so-called “sicilian carts”, and together with musical bands moving from the town to the Valley of Temples.
The event ends up with the assignment of the coveted award: the Golden Temple.
Santa Rosalia Feast
The Santa Rosalia feast, now at its 393rd edition, is a historic parade dedicated to the Patroness of the City of Palermo. Between 14th and 15th July, thousands of Palermitans accompany the procession of the Chariot of the so called “Santuzza”,
from the Cathedral to the Foro Italico.
During the celebrations, typical dishes of the popular Palermitan tradition are consumed: boiled snails, “sfincione”, boiled octopus, “calia” and “semenza”, boiled cobs and watermelon.
Rosalia Sinibaldi (1130-1156), according to tradition,
appeared in a dream to a hunter pointing to where he could find his remains which,
once led to procession in the city, they would eventually stop the epidemic plague that was decimating the population.
The cult begins on July 10th and lasts for five days;
The first three days of the party are preparatories for the grand procession of the 14th,
just a day before the triumphal carriage parade ending by the sea promenade.
The celebration ends on the day 15th with the solemn procession of the relics of the “Santuzza”,
contained within a silvery ossuary, going on the main street of the historical centre and followed by a huge crowd of people.
Traditional performances, local folk music, tales about the “Santuzza” and the spectacular pyrotechnic fireworks are the strengths of this unique event.
The neighborhoods become stages for the festival,
in particular the ones called Kalsa, Monte Pellegrino and Monte di Pietà. Do not miss the opportunity to join this event, make plans for your holiday in Sicily.