Events in Taormina and Sicily 2018

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.