All Souls' Fair

The All Souls' Fair in Acireale

The All Souls' Fair is one of the most cherished autumn events in Acireale. It takes place in the heart of the historic center of Acireale, in the province of Catania, traditionally in Piazza Duomo, the city's baroque living room dominated by the Cathedral of Maria Santissima Annunziata. The event is held on the occasion of the All Souls' Day commemoration and occupies the square for several days between the end of October and the beginning of November each year.

A Sicilian tradition revived

In Sicily, the All Souls' festival has always been much more than a religious observance: it is the day when, according to custom, the deceased return to bring gifts to the little ones. It is in this context that the All Souls' fairs were born, where families once bought toys and sweets to give to children on the morning of November 2nd. The municipal administration has sought to recover this tradition, which risks disappearing in smaller towns and survives mainly in larger cities like Catania, by bringing it back to the city's main square.

What to find at the fair

Along Piazza Duomo, over twenty stands are lined up offering:

• Toys and books for children and teenagers;
• Candies and traditional sweets of the All Souls' period;
• Handcrafted products and typical Sicilian sweets.

However, the All Souls' Fair is not just a market: it is above all a great celebration for families, with a rich entertainment program dedicated to children. Among the activities offered in recent editions: creative workshops, games, group dances, themed face painting, balloon sculpting, and shows, all animated by professional operators in a safe and engaging environment.

An event for the whole city

The event is promoted by the Municipality of Acireale and involves local entities, from schools and comprehensive institutes to local youth associations, in a project designed to combine commerce, tradition, and social interaction. Admission is free, and the fair attracts families from Acireale and neighboring towns in Eastern Sicily every year, confirming its status as one of the most anticipated events in the city's autumn calendar.