Ancient Grains, Cereals and Legumes Harvest Festival

6TH EDITION — The 'Harvest Festival' returns to Cianciana: showcasing local agri-food excellence with signature showcooking and numerous events

The highly anticipated Harvest Festival - Ancient Grains, Cereals, and Legumes is back for its 6th edition. Scheduled from July 31st to August 2nd, 2026, the event confirms its status as a showcase of excellence and a growth engine for a region extraordinarily rich in resources, traditions, and biodiversity.

The municipal administration, led by Mayor Francesco Martorana and Agriculture Councilor Paolo Manzullo, is at the forefront of promoting these elite products alongside the 'Terra è Vita' Movement, chaired by Pino D'Angelo. This careful synergy brings together different experiences and visions, tasking the festival with shining a spotlight on a territory brimming with excellence, actively involving local producers and strongly supporting entrepreneurial initiatives.

Born to celebrate the authenticity of a generous land, the event focuses on Sicilian ancient grains – such as Tumminia, Perciasacchi, Russello, and Senatore Cappelli – symbols of the rediscovery of ancient recipes and popular traditions, a healthier lifestyle, and an excellent short supply chain.

The event is also the ideal stage for other precious local products, which have been the focus of intense recovery and promotion efforts over the last decade: from the renowned Valle del Platani pistachio to the tasty Red Chickpea, through Pidicuddara variety extra virgin olive oil, to prized truffles. In this context, Cianciana plays a leading role, hosting the Co.Re.Ta.S (Regional Coordination for Sicilian Truffles), a reference and protection hub for the enhancement of this extraordinary underground resource.

The program: conferences, signature showcooking, and grand performances

The event schedule, hosted by journalist Rosy Abruzzo, combines food and wine promotion with entertainment, spanning three days in the setting of Largo Convento.

Friday, July 31st

6:00 PM: Official opening with the inauguration of the stalls and a collective art exhibition. The evening heats up with music from the Sikanian Street Band, followed by the traditional 'Manciata di Ciciri e Favi', an ancient ritual of gratitude and sharing. Closing the first day is a concert by Neri a Metà with their tribute to Pino Daniele.

Saturday, August 1st

Protein-rich breakfast in the morning. In the late afternoon, the institutional conference for the 380th anniversary of the founding of the municipality of Cianciana, followed by the focus session 'Eat Well - Live Healthy - Buy Sicilian'. The evening continues with a showcooking session by chef Peppe Giuffrè, sports performances by the LIBERTAS group, and a live show by I Teppisti dei Sogni.

Sunday, August 2nd

The final day opens in the morning with 'Hands in the Dough with Children' workshops led by Master Carlo Pedalino. In the afternoon, the Truffle Conference takes place, followed by a showcooking session by chef Salvo Paolo Mangiapane. The final evening concludes with a performance by the SB Dance school of Simona Baldone and a musical show by the Pop 5 Live Band.

The stars in the kitchen

Peppe Giuffrè, an histrionic and eclectic figure among the most beloved faces of Sicilian gastronomy on television, prepares 'busiata' pasta made from local ancient grains, handcrafted in Cianciana with local legumes and cereals: red chickpeas, flat fava beans, almonds, and pistachios.

Salvo Paolo Mangiapane, a 'DOC Italy' Ambassador of Taste and a deep connoisseur of local raw materials, signs Sunday's showcooking, focused on the enhancement of truffles.

Info and updates on the Facebook page 'Sagra Del Raccolto Dei Grani Antichi, Cereali e Legumi'.

How to get there

Cianciana is located in the hinterland of the province of Agrigento, in the Sicani Mountains. By car, it can be reached from Agrigento (about 45 km) via the SS189 and internal provincial roads. The most convenient train station is Agrigento, from which you can continue by car or local bus.

Where it takes place

The event is held in Largo Convento (Salita Regina Margherita) and in the historic center of Cianciana. In previous editions, the heart of the festival was Piazza Aldo Moro.

Admission and information

Admission to the festival is free; tastings of local products take place at stands set up in the historic center. Program and updates are available on the Facebook page "Sagra Del Raccolto Dei Grani Antichi, Cereali e Legumi".

Tips

Evening events take place outdoors: comfortable clothing is recommended. As it is a small village, it is advisable to arrive early to park in areas near the center.