Acitrezza Swordfish Festival
Grills firing up on the Cyclops promenade in the seaside village of Acitrezza
About Swordfish Festival
A seaside celebration at the foot of Mount Etna
The Swordfish Festival takes place in Acitrezza, a seaside hamlet of the municipality of Aci Castello, in the province of Catania, Sicily. The heart of the event is the Scalo di Alaggio, the historic fishermen's landing that overlooks the Cyclops Promenade, facing the famous Faraglioni rocks and Lachea Island. It is here, among the boats and the scent of charcoal, that the village immortalized by Giovanni Verga in The House by the Medlar Tree celebrates its most iconic product.
The ritual of the grill
The undisputed star is the swordfish, traditionally caught by local boats. Along the landing, large grills are set up where the village's tireless, expert cooks sear thousands of steaks until late in the evening. The fish is served hot, seasoned in the Sicilian style with oil, lemon, oregano, and salt, and accompanied by fresh salad, crusty homemade bread, and a glass of fine local white wine. The simplicity of the ingredients becomes an extraordinary dish thanks to local wisdom passed down through generations.
Tradition and patronal feast
The festival has its roots in the 1960s, when Acitrezza hosted a large fish fry in an enormous pan. For over thirty years, the event has been linked to the celebrations in honor of Saint John the Baptist, the village's patron saint, and is organized by the Saint John the Baptist Festival Committee together with the Madonna della Buona Nuova Committee and the Confraternity of Saint John the Baptist, with the patronage of the Municipality of Aci Castello. For this reason, the event is spread across two distinct moments of the summer, in June and July.
More than just food
Beyond the grills, the Cyclops Promenade is lined with stalls featuring local specialty products and handicrafts, bringing the evenings to life with music and a festive atmosphere. It is the perfect opportunity to discover one of the most evocative villages on the Cyclops Riviera, stroll through the characteristic alleys, and admire the sunset over the Faraglioni while the aroma of the grill fills the air.
Why it's worth it
- One of the most authentic seaside festivals in the province of Catania.
- Grilled swordfish prepared according to the traditional Sicilian recipe.
- Free admission and a unique seaside setting in front of the Cyclops Faraglioni.
- Strong connection to the patronal feast of Saint John the Baptist.
Swordfish Festival — edition 2026
The 2026 edition, the 35th, of the Acitrezza Swordfish Festival confirms the traditional double-appointment formula, tied to the patronal celebrations of Saint John the Baptist.
The Scalo di Alaggio, on the Cyclops Promenade, hosts the large grills where village cooks sear swordfish steaks until late at night. Along the promenade, stalls with local products and handicrafts complete the festive evenings, in front of the Faraglioni and Lachea Island.
Programme Swordfish Festival 2026
First weekend — June 12-14, 2026
- Evening opening from approx. 7:00 PM: lighting of the grills at the Scalo di Alaggio.
- Distribution of grilled swordfish seasoned with oil, lemon, oregano, and salt, served with salad, homemade bread, and local white wine.
- Stalls featuring local products and handicrafts along the Cyclops Promenade.
Second weekend — July 10-12, 2026
- Repeat of the evening swordfish grill in conjunction with the summer patronal celebrations of Saint John the Baptist.
- Food and craft stalls, music, and entertainment on the promenade.
The times and side events (patronal procession, musical entertainment) follow the schedule of the Festival Committees; details are published on official channels in the days leading up to the event.
Highlights Swordfish Festival 2026
Prices Swordfish Festival 2026
Practical information — Swordfish Festival
How to get there
Acitrezza can be reached from Catania in about 20 minutes by car along the SS114 heading north; there is ample parking in the streets near the village (arriving early on festival evenings is recommended). By bus, there are AMTS/AST connections from Catania city center. Nearest airport: Catania-Fontanarossa (approx. 20 km).
When
The event takes place over two weekends, in June and July, generally starting from 7:00 PM - 7:30 PM until late at night.
Costs
Free admission to the festival area. Swordfish portions and drinks can be purchased on-site at the stalls.
Tips
This is peak tourist season: for those arriving from out of town, it is advisable to book accommodation in advance in Acitrezza, Aci Castello, or Catania. Wear light summer clothing and comfortable shoes for walking along the promenade.
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Where does it take place — Swordfish Festival
Scalo di Alaggio - Lungomare dei Ciclopi (Acitrezza)
Scalo di Alaggio, Lungomare dei Ciclopi, 95021 Aci Castello