Canicattini Jazz Festival

Jazz in the heart of the Iblei

Every year, at the end of August, Canicattini Bagni — a small town in the province of Syracuse known as the "City of Freedom and Music" — hosts one of the longest-running and most beloved jazz festivals in Sicily. The Canicattini Jazz Festival brings the central Piazza XX Settembre to life for three nights, drawing a large and passionate audience from across the Iblean region and beyond.

A history spanning over thirty years

The festival has its roots in the early nineties and was built around the Amato Jazz Trio, a local group formed by the Amato brothers. Following the passing of drummer Sergio Amato in December 2003, the festival was named in his memory as the "Sergio Amato" International Jazz Festival. Today, the artistic direction is led by local saxophonist Rino Cirinnà, a prominent figure on the Sicilian jazz scene, who has brought prestigious names to the stage in Piazza XX Settembre over the years.

Between musical influences and tradition

The festival stands out for its cross-genre approach, blending the language of jazz with theatre, singer-songwriter music, and the sonic experiences of the Mediterranean. Canicattini Bagni's musical vocation is no coincidence: the town boasts a historic Brass Band active for over 150 years, and music is deeply woven into its identity.

Part of the Mediterranean Festival

The Canicattini Jazz Festival is the musical highlight of the broader Mediterranean Festival, a summer series dedicated to themes of hospitality, inclusion, and peace, which engages the community from July to September with music, theatre, dance, traditions, and local Iblean flavours. The event is promoted by the municipal administration with the patronage of the Sicilian Region, Department of Tourism, Sport and Entertainment.

An event for everyone

The evenings in Piazza XX Settembre are free and open to all, in a true popular spirit: a chance to enjoy great jazz under the summer stars, immersed in the atmosphere of a Sicilian village with a refined Art Nouveau heritage, just a few kilometres from Syracuse and the UNESCO-listed Val di Noto.