* Festa di Sant' Agatha, Feb 3~5, Catania
Catania celebrates her patron, St. Agatha, with all the excitement that the second city of Sicily can muster, and it is colourful. For an incredible two days, almost 24 hours / day, the Cantanese parade on the streets, eat a lot, and shout a great deal. An especially good time to visit the famous Catania outdoor market.

* Sagra del Mandorlo in fiore (Almond-blossom Festival) February, 1st two weeks, Agrigento
No excuses needed to visit the greatest collection of Greek temples in the world any time. Yet, in early February the hillsides are white, not with snow, but with almond blossoms. Besides the usual festival events, there is an International Folklore Festival.

* Martedi Grasso (Carnival) Tuesday before Lent, Many towns and cities
Catholics love Carnival. Ask us especially about what is happening in Acrireale, Sciacca, and Termini Imerese.

* Pasqua (Easter Week) variable, Many towns and cities
In every town and city, Easter week is full of events, religious and festive. Ask us about special events in Alcamo, Caltanissetta, Castelvetrano, Enna, Erice, Marsala, Messina, Milazzo, Noto, Piana degli Albanesi, Prizzi, Ragusa, Scicli, and Trapani.   Santa Lucia delle Quaglie May, 1st & 2nd Sunday
In Siracusa, to thank her for saving the city from a famine in 1642, the priceless silver statue of St. Lucy appears on the first and second Sundays in May. She is carried around the Piazza Duomo, with music and a festive atmosphere.

* Infiorata, May, 3d week, Noto, SE Sicily
In the beautiful World Heritage Baroque city of Noto, on the third week of May, the "Infiorata" Festival sees an entire street covered with flower petal designs. Noto honours its own St. Corrado in February, August and September. Also Easter week here is especially delightful.

* Festa di St. George, May, last Sunday, Ragusa
There is a re-enactment of the martyrdom of St. George, followed by one of the grandest fireworks displays anywhere.

* Greek Classical Theatre, May~July, Siracusa
The Ciclo di Spettacoli Classici (Cycle of Classical Plays) is a grand summer season in the world's finest Greek theatre. Every summer we offer some of the world's best directors and actors. Contact us or the Tourist Office for details.

* International Festival of the Arts, July~August, Taormina
The world's best performers come to this famous resort. Taormina has its International Arts festival in the Greco-Roman theatre from July into September, and its International Film Festival in July.

* Festa di St. Rosalia, July, 2d week, Palermo
The "U fistinu" is the time to visit the capital of Sicily, a place more sophisticated and forward-looking than you might imagine.

* Cefalù festivals, Aug, first two weeks, & Sept.
            1~6 August: "Festa del Santo Salvatore" culminates on the afternoon of 6 August, when folks scramble along a pole to reach the saint.

            14 August: "Madonna della Luce" sees boats in procession across the harbour.

            September: The fishermen turn chef and serve up the best fried fish.

* Renaissance Music Festival, Aug 13~15, Erice
Unbeatable atmosphere: this incredible mountaintop village and international artists of Renaissance and Medieval music.

* Passeggiata di Giganti, (Procession of the Giants) Aug 13~15, Messina
Messina's biggest day sees the procession of two giants: Mata, who founded the city, and his worthy opponent, Grifone the Moor.

* Ferragosto, (Assumption Day) 15 Aug, Every city and town
This is the mid summer holiday period for all Italy. In Siracusa Grand Harbour there is a regata of yachts, open to all, and a race by traditional Sicilian longboats. Even the Madonna becomes a sailor. Every town has festive foods and splendid fireworks.

* Festa di St. Bartolomeo, Aug 24,  Lipari, Aeolian Islands
No excuse is needed to come to the lovely Aeolian Islands for sun, sea, quiet, and volcanic grandeur. On the day of their saint, the islanders enjoy a magnificent fireworks display over the sea.

* Sagra del Miele, (Honey Festival) 1~10 Oct, Sortino, near Siracusa
One example of the many small regional festivals going on year-round. This one looks back to the famous "honey of Hyblea" so prized by the Greeks and Romans. Come to this small town deep in the hill country, next to Pantalica wilderness park, for local foods, fun, and honey.

* Festa dell'Immacolata, (Festival of the Immaculate Conception) Dec 8,  All towns and cities
Every town in Italy celebrates today for the Virgin. After dark, she is carried through the narrow streets, beautifully evocative in the gold of the street lamps, accompanied by a marching band, garlands, fireworks, and everyone dressed in their best.

* Festa della Santa Lucia, Dec 13 & Dec 20, Siracusa
This is Siracusa's great occasion, beginning with a grand procession of the priceless silver statue of St. Lucy, with dignitaries, marching bands, holiday lights arching over the streets, fireworks, hundreds of citizen "penitenti" in bare feet, Swedish beauties in ermine, and Lucy's arm. She proceeds across town to the Chiesa di Santa Lucia. On Dec 20, we do it all again, as she parades back to the Duomo. It all begins and ends with mass in the Cathedral; such shared religious experience is living Catholicism.