Aci Castello Summer of Myth, Art and Culture
The summer festival program on the Riviera dei Ciclopi featuring theatre, music, and local traditions
About Aci Castello Summer
A widespread summer on the Riviera dei Ciclopi
Aci Castello Summer of Myth, Art and Culture is the festival that brings the summer months to life each year in the Municipality of Aci Castello, overlooking the Ionian Sea in the province of Catania, in the heart of the Riviera dei Ciclopi. It is not a single event but a true widespread program: throughout the summer, culture, art, music, dance, theatre, entertainment, and gastronomy reach every corner of the municipal territory.
The festival venues
The performances are spread across the entire Aci Castello area, with four main hubs setting the rhythm for the season:
- Piazza Castello, at the foot of the Norman Castle of Aci Castello, the heart of evening events and major concerts;
- The Aci Trezza Slipway, a picturesque sea-facing spot in front of the Cyclops Faraglioni, a natural stage for theatre and music;
- The Norman Castle, the setting for itinerant theatre for children and adults;
- The villages of Cannizzaro and Ficarazzi, which complete the event map.
Between Verga's myth and echoes of tradition
The common thread of the festival is the deep bond between Aci Castello, the Greek myth of the Cyclopes, and the literary memory of Giovanni Verga, who set his novel I Malavoglia in these very places. Hence the title, which evokes myth, art, and culture: the shows weave together the great Sicilian popular tradition — such as the fishermen's pantomime U Pisci 'A Mari in Aci Trezza — with contemporary theatre, singer-songwriter music, and dialect comedy.
A season for residents and tourists
The program is designed to entertain the local community as well as the thousands of tourists who choose the Catanese coast in summer. Almost all events are free to attend, with seating available on a first-come, first-served basis, and cover diverse genres: from family theatre to comedy nights, musical tributes to tastings of local products. A formula that makes Aci Castello one of the landmarks of summer on the slopes of Mount Etna.
Aci Castello Summer — edition 2026
The 2026 edition confirms the widespread festival formula, with events distributed throughout the Municipality of Aci Castello from June to September. The program alternates itinerant theatre, evening shows, concerts, and food and wine moments, mostly free to attend with seating available on a first-come, first-served basis.
The first part of the season, in June, weaves together theatre for children and adults in the spaces of the Norman Castle with evenings at the Aci Trezza slipway, while July brings the most anticipated names of the program to the stage of Piazza Castello.
Programme Aci Castello Summer 2026
June 2026
- June 17-19 — La Piazza del Gusto: tastings of local products and gastronomy, Piazza Castello
- June 21 — 7:00 PM itinerant theatre for children Miti in Cammino (Norman Castle); 9:30 PM theatrical show by Carlo Mangiu Un Killer Chiamato Damigiana (Aci Trezza Slipway)
- June 22 — 9:30 PM Lucia canta Rosa (Aci Trezza Slipway)
- June 23 — 9:30 PM Telethon evening Sanremo è sempre Sanremo (Aci Trezza Slipway)
- June 24 — 5:00 PM traditional pantomime U Pisci 'A Mari (Aci Trezza Slipway)
- June 26 — 7:00 PM itinerant theatre for children Miti in Cammino (Norman Castle)
- June 28 — 9:00 PM itinerant theatre for adults Anime di Pietra (Norman Castle)
July 2026
- July 17 — 9:30 PM Enrico Guarneri, comedy in Piazza Castello, free admission until capacity is reached
- July 18 — 9:30 PM concert by I Falsi d'Autore (Italian and international song repertoire), Piazza Castello, free admission
The program continues in August and September with further events to be announced progressively by the Municipality of Aci Castello.
Highlights Aci Castello Summer 2026
Prices Aci Castello Summer 2026
Practical information — Aci Castello Summer
How to get there
Aci Castello is about 9 km from Catania, reachable by car along the SS114 or by AMTS buses from the centre of Catania. Catania-Fontanarossa Airport is about 15 km away. Events mainly take place at Piazza Castello and the Aci Trezza Slipway.
Admission
Most shows are free to attend, with seating available on a first-come, first-served basis. It is advisable to arrive early for the most popular evenings.
Information
Municipality of Aci Castello, toll-free number 095 7371111. Updated program on the Municipality's website and official social media channels.
Festival-goer photos
No photos yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Noticed an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Every proposal is verified by our team before publication.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community.
Where does it take place — Aci Castello Summer
Piazza Castello e territorio comunale
Piazza Castello, 95021 Aci Castello