Autumn Scents and Flavors

An autumn festival in the heart of Mount Etna

Autumn Scents and Flavors is the agri-food event organized by the Municipality of Nicolosi, a town on Mount Etna in the province of Catania, Sicily. Created to promote and showcase the typical products of the Etna region, the festival takes place every year during the weekends of November, when autumn offers its best fruits and the town, known as the "Gateway to Etna," welcomes visitors and curious travelers amidst the colors and flavors of the season.

Markets, tastings, and local products

The heart of the event is Piazza Vittorio Emanuele, where local producers set up their stands. Among the stalls, you can find the iconic products of the Etna autumn: Etna apples and pears, mushrooms, chestnuts, grapes, wine, oil, honey, cheeses, and traditional Sicilian sweets. Tastings accompany visitors throughout the day, with hot mulled wine taking center stage on the cooler mornings.

Rural tradition and reenactments

Alongside the market, the festival offers moments dedicated to the local rural culture. Particularly popular is the reenactment of grape treading at the Palmento Montesanto, featuring grape must tastings, displays of traditional Sicilian carts, and folk music performed by local groups. Guided tours of the mill and the Museum of Lava Stone Ceramics allow guests to discover the craftsmanship and techniques related to processing the land's bounty.

A program for the whole family

Each edition is spread over several weekends, each with a different theme: from folklore to a mycological exhibition dedicated to mushrooms, from model aircraft displays to vintage cars, and activities involving local schools. It is an event designed for families and visitors of all ages, where gastronomy intertwines with shows, exhibitions, and outdoor entertainment.

Nicolosi, the Gateway to Etna

Visiting Autumn Scents and Flavors is also an opportunity to discover Nicolosi, the ideal starting point for excursions on Mount Etna. The town's location, nestled within the Etna Park, makes the festival an event where food and wine tradition blends with the beauty of the volcanic landscape, a symbol of Eastern Sicily.