Catania’s festival calendar is dominated by the Feast of Saint Agatha, one of Italy’s three largest religious festivals, but the city runs events year-round from jazz concerts to wine harvest celebrations. Here’s what’s happening each month with practical dates and locations.. Also check our complete Catania travel guide for more on what to expect from Sicily’s second city.
Events and Festivals in Catania: Feast of Saint Agatha (February 3-5)
The Festa di Sant’Agata is Catania’s defining event, drawing up to one million participants over three days. Saint Agatha is the city’s patron saint, martyred in 251 AD. The festival starts February 3 at noon when the silver reliquary bust of Saint Agatha is carried from the Cathedral through the city, followed by thousands of devotees wearing traditional white sackcloth robes (sacco) and black caps. On February 4, the heavy silver fercolo (ceremonial carriage) is pulled by teams of men through the city’s main streets from dawn until late at night. February 5 is the final procession, returning the relics to the Cathedral around midnight with fireworks over the port. The entire city center closes to traffic for all three days. Hotels within 2km of Piazza Duomo book solid 6-8 months in advance and charge 3-4x normal rates. If you attend: wear comfortable shoes (you’ll walk for hours), carry water, and be prepared for dense crowds; it’s standing-room only along the procession route. The festival is free to attend and deeply moving even for non-religious visitors. For more detailed information, see our weather by month.
Events and Festivals in Catania: Spring Events (March to May)
Easter Week (March/April, dates vary)
Sicily takes Easter seriously, and Catania’s Holy Week processions are elaborate. The Good Friday procession (Venerdi Santo) starts at the Church of San Cristoforo in the evening with hooded penitents carrying religious statues through candlelit streets. Easter Sunday Mass at the Cathedral (10:00 AM) is standing-room only. The Monday after Easter (Pasquetta) is a public holiday when locals drive to Etna’s slopes for picnics; Rifugio Sapienza is packed. Book restaurants in advance for Easter weekend; many offer fixed-price Easter lunch menus (EUR 35-50). For more detailed information, see our best time to visit.
Events and Festivals in Catania: Summer Events (June to August)
EtnaFest (July)
EtnaFest is a month-long music and cultural festival with concerts staged at various venues around Catania and on Etna itself. Performances range from classical at Teatro Massimo Bellini to open-air rock and electronic shows at Parco Gioeni and the Castello Ursino courtyard. Most outdoor events are free; ticketed events run EUR 10-25. The program is released in June at etnafest.it. The highlight venue is the Teatro Greco Romano, where seeing a concert in a 5th-century BC Greek theater is worth the ticket price alone. For more detailed information, see our things to do.
Outdoor Opera at Teatro Greco Romano (July to August)
The ancient Greek-Roman theater hosts a summer opera and theater season organized by the Teatro Massimo Bellini. Productions typically include one or two Bellini operas (Norma, La Sonnambula) given the composer was born in Catania, plus classical Greek dramas. Tickets range from EUR 25 (upper tier) to EUR 60 (orchestra). Performances start at 20:30 or 21:00 and run about 2.5 hours. Bring a cushion (stone seating) and mosquito repellent after sunset. Book through the Teatro Massimo Bellini box office or online at teatromassimobellini.it. For more detailed information, see our neighborhoods.
Ferragosto (August 15)
Italy’s national summer holiday. In Catania, most businesses close for at least the day (many small shops close for 1-2 weeks around Ferragosto). The city is quieter as locals head to the coast or mountains, but beach clubs throw big parties on August 14 (Ferragosto eve). Fireworks displays happen at La Playa and along the port. Restaurants that stay open often do a fixed Ferragosto lunch (EUR 40-60). If you’re in Catania on August 15, you’ll find a sleepy city center but lively beaches. For more detailed information, see our where to stay.
Events and Festivals in Catania: Autumn and Winter Events
Etna Wine Harvest Festival (Late September, Milo and Surrounding Towns)
The vendemmia (grape harvest) on Etna’s slopes is celebrated with wine festivals in the towns ringing the volcano. The biggest is at Milo (20km from Catania, 30 minutes by car) during the last weekend of September, with free tastings of Etna DOC wines, grape-stomping demonstrations, and food stalls selling local sausages, cheese, and mushrooms. Castiglione di Sicilia and Linguaglossa hold similar events on adjacent weekends. These are locals-oriented festivals with minimal tourist infrastructure; you’ll need a car or organized tour to reach them (EUR 50-70 for a half-day wine tour from Catania, bookable through Viator or GetYourGuide). For more detailed information, see our travel tips.
Catania Jazz Festival (November to January)
Despite the name spanning winter months, the festival kicks off in November at Teatro Metropolitan (Via Sant’Euplio 21). Past performers have included Chick Corea, Stefano Bollani, and Paolo Fresu. Tickets run EUR 20-40 per concert. The historic Teatro Massimo Bellini (Via Giuseppe Perrotta 12) also hosts jazz dates. The full program is announced in October at cataniajazz.com. Teatro Metropolitan seats 400 and often sells out for headline acts; book online in advance.
Christmas Season (December)
Catania’s Christmas market sets up along Via Etnea from early December through January 6 (Epiphany). Stalls sell Sicilian nativity figurines (presepi), local crafts, torrone (nougat), and seasonal sweets like buccellati (fig-filled cookies). The Cathedral holds midnight Mass on Christmas Eve (23:30). New Year’s Eve (Capodanno) features a free concert in Piazza Duomo with fireworks at midnight. Epiphany (January 6, La Befana) is the traditional gift-giving day with small presents for children. Shops and museums close January 1 and 6.
