The most interesting events in Sicily in 2018: classical, pop and rock concerts, gastronomic, religious, and film festivals, exhibitions and shows.
Information on upcoming events is constantly updated. Follow our news.
New Year Marathon in Taormina and Diving in the Ionian Sea
Jan 1
Taormina
Annual holiday running in Taormina and Chico Scimone award, followed by swimming in the freezing Ionian Sea.
New Year's Concert by Taormina Plectrum Orchestra
Jan 1
San Domenico Palace Hotel, Taormina
Annual concert by the famous Plectrum Orchestra of Taormina that was founded in early 1900. It consists of over twenty musicians playing mandolins, mandolas, guitars and contrabasses.
Concerto di Capodanno
Jan 2
Teatro Metropolitan, Catania
Annual New Year's concert at Teatro Metropolitan of Catania.
New Year's Opera Concert in Taormina
Jan 5
Del Carmine Church, Taormina
Annual New Year's opera concert.
Taormina Ensemble Chorus
Jan 5
Santa Caterina Church, Taormina
Holiday concert by the famous Taormina Ensemble Chorus.
Festa di Sant'Agata
Feb 5
Catania
Be sure not to miss the most important religious holiday in Catania – festival of Sant’Agata, saint patron of the city. It is a very beautiful holiday, when locals carry the statue of the saint along the illuminated streets, you can enjoy marching parades, fireworks, taste special food and drinks.
Carnival in Acireale
Feb 3-13
Acireale
Annual carnival in Acireale - one of the most important and suggestive carnivals in all Europe.
Carnival in Sciacca
Feb 8-13
Sciacca
World famous annual festival, during which residents and visitors have fun for several days, since two o'clock in the afternoon until early morning.
Almond Blossom Festival in Agrigento
Mar 3-11
Agrigento
Mandorlo in Fiore - is an annual wonderful holiday of spring and almond bloom. Gorgeous aromas of blooming almond trees in Agrigento cannot leave anyone indifferent. The festival is accompanied by parades, shows and concerts. The restaurants offer a special holiday menu with dishes made from almonds.
Zucchero
Mar 10
Pal'Art Hotel, Acireale
Concert by famous Adelmo Fornaciari, internationally known as Zucchero, Italian singer-songwriter and musician with an Order of Merit of the Italian Republic.
Marc Copland Zenith Quartet
Mar 10
Teatro Sangiorgi, Catania
Legendary American jazz pianist and composer will perform with his band.
Celine Rudolph Quartet
Mar 14
Teatro Sangiorgi, Catania
Concert by a German jazz singer who will perfrom with her band.
Gianni Morandi
Mar 17
Pal'Art Hotel, Acireale
Concert by a popular Italian singer, actor and entertainer.
Oregon
Mar 20
Teatro ABC, Catania
Concert by an American jazz and world music group.
Brunori Sas
Mar 21
Teatro Metropolitan, Catania
Italian singer-songwriter and indi-rock singer will perform in Catania.
Levante
Mar 23
Teatro Metropolitan, Catania
Concert by Claudia Lagona, Italian singer-songwriter better known by her stage name Levante.
Dmitry Sinkovsky & Arianna Art Ensemble
Mar 24
Basilica Madonna Del Carmine, Catania
Famous Russian conductor and violinist Dmitry Sinkovsky with Italian music ensemble from Palermo will perform works by Vivaldi, Albinioni, Geminiani and Locatelli.
Holy Week and Easter
Mar 25 - Apr 1
Sicily
During all week in every city and every town you will find beautiful colorful processions, fireworks and celebrations.
Francesca Michielin
Mar 31
Teatro Land La Nuova Dogana, Catania
Concert by Italian singer-songwriter, winner of the Italian talent show.
1st April Market in Giardini Naxos
Apr 1
Giardini Naxos
Every year, along Giardini Naxos Sea Front there is a traditional street market. Great selection of clothes, socks, handbags and household items. Some merchants offer fruits and vegetables.
James Taylor Quartet
Apr 5
MA, Catania
Concert by a British jazz and funk band.
Mannarino
Apr 12
Teatro Metropolitan, Catania
Italian singer-songwriter Alessandro Mannarino, known as simply Mannarino, will perform in Catania.
Trilok Gurtu & the Arke String Quartet
Apr 18
Cine Teatro Odeon, Catania
Famous Indian jazz and world music percussionist will perform with the avant-garde ensemble Arke String Quartet.
Giovanni Allevi
Apr 20
Teatro Metropolitan, Catania
Concert by a famous Italian pianist and composer.
Gianna Nannini
Apr 21
Pal'Art Hotel, Acireale
Concert by a world-known Italian singer-songwriter and pop musician.
Flower Festival in Acireale
Apr 27-29
Acireale
Spring carnival in Acireale with wonderful floats and numerous initiatives.
Taormina Italian Opera
May 1 - Oct 31, every Mon, Wed, Fri
Teatro San Giorgio, Taormina
The artists of the Italian Opera Taormina perform every week in Taormina. More than one hour of timeless arias from some of the most famous Italian operas - The Marriage of Figaro by W.A. Mozart, La Traviata by G. Verdi, Elisir D'Amor by G. Donizetti, Madame Butterfly, La Boheme, Tosca by G. Puccini.
Biagio Antonacci
May 2
Pal'Art Hotel, Acireale
Concert by a famous Italian singer-songwriter and guitarist.
Jovanotti
May 8, 9
Pal'Art Hotel, Acireale
Concert by Lorenzo Cherubini, better known as Jovanotti, Italian rap singer-songwriter.
Greek Tragedies in Syracuse
May - Jun
Syracuse, Greek theater
In May and June, the Greek dramas are performed in their original site, Syracuse’s Greek amphitheater.
Flower Festival in Noto
May 18-20
Noto
Italy's best-known flower festival sees one of the Baroque town's main street, Via Nicolaci, carpeted with a series of flower-petal tapestries designed by local and international artists.
Emma
May 26
Pal'Art Hotel, Acireale
Famous Italian pop singer, winner of the Italian talent show in concert.
Simple Minds
Jun 2
Greek Theatre, Taormina
Legendary Scottish rock band is back in Taormina to perform on the stage of the Greek Theatre.
64th Taormina Film Fest
2nd week of Jun
Taormina Greek Theater
In the second week of June, the Film Fest opens the summer season of the Greco-Roman amphitheater. It starts with a world premiere and throughout the week, you can enjoy some of the newest movies in the splendid scenery with views to the Mediterranean Sea and to Mount Etna.
Taormina Arte
June - September
Taormina
Taormina Arte – from June to September daily performances in Taormina ancient Greek theater. Rock, pop and classical concerts, opera, dance and theatre performances, national and international stars.
Noel Gallagher
Jun 19
Greek Theatre, Taormina
World-famous English ex Oasis guitarist, singer-songwriter will perform in Taormina.
Vasco Rossi
Jun 21
Stadio San Filippo, Messina
Legendary Italian rock musician, singer and songwriter in concert.
Taobuk
Jun 23-27
Greek Theatre, Taormina
Annual international book festival will be taking place in the Greek Theatre, Historical Archive and other locations in Taormina.
Fiorello
Jul 5, 6, 7
Greek Theatre, Taormina
Concert by famous Italian singer, comedian, television and radio presenter.
Negramaro
Jul 8
Stadio San Filippo, Messina
Concert by a popular Italian band who became famous thanks to the Sanremo Festival.
Giorgia
Jul 12, 13
Greek Theatre, Taormina
Giorgia Todrani, best known as Giorgia, Italian singer, songwriter, musician, record producer and radio host will perform in Acireale.
Taomoda
Jul 14-21
Greek Theatre, Taormina
Taormina fashion week will be taking place in the Greek Theatre and other locations.
Gaetano Veloso
Jul 17
Greek Theatre, Taormina
Concert by a Brazilian composer, singer-songwriter and guitarist.
Swan Lake
Jul 24, 25
Greek Theatre, Taormina
World-famous Bolshoi Theatre of Moscow will perform classical ballet composed by Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.
David Guetta
Jul 28
Greek Theatre, Taormina
Legendary French DJ, songwriter, producer and remixer will perform on the stage of the Greek Theatre.
Stragusto
Jul 25-29
Piazza Mercato del Pesce, Trapani
A festival celebrating the street food of Mediterranean in the square of the Fish Market in Trapani. Annual big party of tastes, flavors, smells, colors, voices. An unmissable event for every food lover that offers visitors a great experience of Sicilian food.
Sting
Aug 1
Greek Theatre, Taormina
Great event in Taormina - one of the most important musitians, ex Police frontman Sting will perform on the stage of the Greek Theatre.
Brian Wilson
Aug 11
Greek Theatre, Taormina
Concert by a world-famous American musician, singer-songwriter, co-founder of the Beach Boys.
Procession of the Giants
Aug 13-15
Messina
The main festival of Messina celebrating Ferragosto. Costumed in festive dress, locals walk around the city. Very beautiful procession accompanied by music, food and drinks.
Ferragosto
Aug 15
Every city and town in Sicily
Ferragosto - Assumption Day - is one of the most important holidays in Italy. During the night from Aug 14 to Aug 15, locals make picnics on the beaches, cook special festive food, make fireworks and swim.
Ermal Meta
Aug 17
Greek Theatre, Taormina
Italian singer-songwriter who became famous thanks to the Sanremo Festival in concert.
Gianna Nannini
Aug 18
Greek Theatre, Taormina
Concert by a world-known Italian singer-songwriter and pop musician.
Negrita
Aug 19
Greek Theatre, Taormina
Famous Italian rock band in concert.
Baustelle
Aug 24
Greek Theatre, Taormina
Concert by an Italian indie rock group.
Max Gazze
Aug 25
Greek Theatre, Taormina
World-famous Italian rock singer-songwriter in concert.
Renzo Arbore
Aug 26
Greek Theatre, Taormina
Concert by a famous Italian musician, singer, showman and actor.
Fabrizio Moro
Aug 31
Greek Theatre, Taormina
Concert by a popular Italian singer-songwriter and television presenter.
ViniMilo
Two weeks from late August to early September
Milo
This harvest festival held in the little wine-producing town of Milo on the eastern slopes of Etna is a celebration of the vibrant local wine scene, with opportunities to taste wine and sample genuine local produce from the stalls that line the lanes of the historical center.
Enrico Brignano
Sep 1
Greek Theatre, Taormina
Famous Italian comedian, actor, presenter and writer in concert.
Brit Floyd
Sep 8
Greek Theatre, Taormina
Performance by a Pink Floyd tribute band from Liverpool.
Cous Cous Fest
Sep 21-30
San Vito Lo Capo
Sicily’s most famous food festival takes place over five days in the seaside town of San Vito Lo Capo. Now in its 18th year, the festival extends well beyond its featured dish (which is the focus of a cook-off between international chefs) to act as a celebration of a shared Mediterranean heritage, with concerts and DJ sets by acts from across the region.
Rock The Opera
Sep 29
Greek Theatre, Taormina
Rock classics by Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Queen, Deep Purple, AC/DC and other performed by the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra.
Honey Festival
Sep 21 - Oct 1
Sortino, Syracuse province
Honey festival in Sortino, small charming town near Syracuse. Guests can enjoy fresh traditional food, music, and many varieties of Sicilian honey.
Taormina Italian Opera
From Nov 1 to Apr 31, every Saturday
Teatro San Giorgio, Taormina
The artists of the Italian Opera Taormina perform every week in Taormina. More than one hour of timeless arias from some of the most famous Italian operas - The Marriage of Figaro by W.A. Mozart, La Traviata by G. Verdi, Elisir D'Amor by G. Donizetti, Madame Butterfly, La Boheme, Tosca by G. Puccini.
Cioccobarocco in Modica
Beg Dec
Modica
One of the biggest chocolate festivals in Italy held annually in Modica, town world known for its excellent chocolate.
Festival of the Immaculate Conception
Dec 8
All cities and towns of Sicily
All Sicily celebrates the Virgin Mary day. In the evening, locals costumed in festive dress, carry statues of the Holy Mother through the streets of every town, accompanied by colorful fireworks.
Festival of Santa Lucia
Dec 13, 20
Syracuse
The most important holiday of Syracuse. Must see festival, during which locals carry the silver statue of Santa Lucia, many beautiful lights and fireworks illuminate Syracuse.
CioccolArt Sicily Festival
Dec 26 - Jan 1
Convento Agostiniano, Forza D'Agro
Annual chocolate festival held at the museum of chocolate in Forza D'Agro, a tiny picturesque town near Taormina. The museum hosts a permanent exhibition of chocolate sculptures. A delicious journey into Sicilian art and history.