Autumn Festival – San Martino (Chestnuts and Wine)

An autumn festival in the heart of Acireale

The Autumn Festival, also known as the San Martino Festival, is the culinary event that brings the authentic flavors of the Sicilian autumn to the streets of the San Michele district in Acireale, in the heart of the Catania province, every November. The event celebrates the so-called St. Martin's Summer, that period of unexpected warmth which, according to tradition, coincides with the November 11th holiday and the moment when the new wine is finally ready to be tasted.

The culinary trail

Food is the true star here. An elaborate culinary trail is set up along the district's streets, where visitors can taste typical seasonal products:

• Roasted chestnuts, the undisputed queens of the festival
• New wine, following the ancient saying «At San Martino, every must becomes wine»
• Homemade macaroni, prepared according to tradition
• Grilled sausage
• Traditional desserts and numerous other local specialties

The heart of the event beats in the square: this is where the festival truly kicks off in the early afternoon, with stalls and tasting points swarmed by visitors.

Entertainment, shows, and popular tradition

The Autumn Festival is not just about food. The program includes numerous side events for all ages: entertainment for children and teenagers with bouncy castles and puppet theater, dance performances, exhibitions, a poetry festival dedicated to autumn, and folk and musical shows that accompany the day. It is an opportunity to experience the district in a spirit of authentic and participatory celebration.

Organizers

The event is born from the collaboration between the Città Domani and La Zattera Associations and the San Michele Parish of Acireale, who together bring the district to life and promote its traditions. The Autumn Festival is part of the rich autumn calendar of Acireale, one of the most fascinating Baroque cities in eastern Sicily, already famous for its Carnival and patronal festivities. The dates for the 2026 edition have not yet been announced: to find out the updated program, it is best to follow the organizers' social media channels.