Autumn Festival

The Autumn Festival in Bompietro

The Autumn Festival is one of the most cherished events in the calendar of Bompietro, a small town of a few hundred inhabitants perched at an altitude of about 685 meters on the southeastern slopes of the Madonie Park, in the province of Palermo. Every year, on the last weekend of September, the streets of the historic center fill with stalls, aromas, and music to celebrate the arrival of autumn and the fruits of the Madonie land. Reaching its 28th edition in 2025, the festival has become a highly anticipated appointment for residents, returning emigrants, and visitors from neighboring towns.

The grape and milk cycles

At the heart of the event is the reenactment of ancient trades and rural customs linked to seasonal cycles. The grape cycle, the highlight of the first day, traces the traditional grape harvest and pressing; the milk cycle, on the second day, demonstrates the stages of dairy processing typical of the Madonie region. Surrounding these displays is a rich food and wine trail, offering tastings of cheeses, cured meats, honey, chickpeas, sausages, seasonal fruits, and traditional Sicilian pastries.

Music, folklore, and street performers

The evenings are enlivened by live music, accordion performances, and folk bands, while the days feature street performers, folk group exhibitions, and moments dedicated to families, such as the traditional greasy pole (cuccagna) for children. There are also guided tours of local landmarks, from the museum to the municipal library, and cultural initiatives that celebrate the memory of the Madonie community.

A Madonie village to discover

The Autumn Festival is also an opportunity to discover Bompietro and its territory: a village with ancient roots, nestled in the landscape of the Madonie Park, where agricultural and pastoral traditions continue to define the life of the community. The event is organized by the Pro Loco of Bompietro in collaboration with the Municipality, the Misericordia, and Vis Bompietro, with the aim of promoting local resources and the cultural and gastronomic heritage of the Madonie.