Cherry Festival
The festival of Italy's finest cherries, in Chiusa Sclafani
About Cherry Festival
A tradition that smells of cherries
The Cherry Festival in Chiusa Sclafani is one of the most beloved gastronomic events in the Sicani Mountains, in the heart of the Palermo province. Now in its 57th edition in 2026, the festival was created to celebrate the fruit that made this village famous, known throughout Sicily as the "village of cherries." An entire day in June is dedicated to taste, tradition, and conviviality, as the squares of the historic center fill with stalls, scents, and colors.
The 'cappuccia' cherry, queen of the festival
The absolute star is the 'cappuccia' cherry, a native variety with large, uniformly deep red fruit, cultivated in this area since the 16th century thanks to an ideal microclimate. Alongside the cappuccia, the countryside around Chiusa Sclafani preserves other local cultivars such as the moscatella and the caddusa. During the festival, there is no shortage of guided tastings, competitions for the tastiest and largest cherry, as well as jams, sweets, liqueurs, and traditional cherry-based dishes.
A program of taste, culture, and entertainment
The day unfolds between Piazza Castello and Piazza Santa Rosalia, featuring a variety of events:
- Farmers' market with direct sales of cherries;
- Vintage car parades, featuring enthusiast clubs and historic vehicles;
- Flag-wavers, street bands, and folk groups animating the town streets;
- Show cooking, juggling performances, and stilt-walking musicians;
- Guided tours of the monuments and the "Valle del Sosio" Nature Reserve.
A village to discover
Founded in 1320 by Count Matteo Sclafani, Chiusa Sclafani preserves a medieval urban layout and artistic jewels such as the Church of San Sebastiano, with the famous stuccos of the Serpotta school, the Abbey, and the Mother Church. The festival thus becomes an opportunity to discover an authentic corner of the Sicilian hinterland, amidst nature, history, and rustic flavors.
Why attend
The Cherry Festival combines the excellence of a local product with the warm hospitality of a small town in the Sicani area. Every year, it attracts thousands of visitors, drawn by the genuine flavors and the festive atmosphere that fills the squares. It is the perfect event for those who want to experience the most authentic side of Sicily, far from the usual tourist circuits.
Cherry Festival — edition 2026
2026 Edition: the 57th Cherry Festival
The 57th edition of the Cherry Festival was held on June 14, 2026, in Chiusa Sclafani, confirming the success of one of the most heartfelt festivals in the Sicani Mountains. The historic center came alive from morning until evening with a rich program of taste, culture, and entertainment.
Key highlights included: the opening of the farmers' market in Piazza Castello with direct sales of cherries, guided tours of the monuments and the "Valle del Sosio" Nature Reserve, the vintage car parade with Sicilian enthusiast clubs, cherry tastings accompanied by folk groups, the guided tasting of the cappuccia variety, and the traditional competitions for the tastiest and largest cherry.
To round off the day, show cooking, flag-wavers, street bands, juggling performances, and stilt-walking musicians animated the village squares.
Programme Cherry Festival 2026
Program June 14, 2026
- 09:30 AM — Opening of the farmers' market and cherry sales (Piazza Castello)
- 10:00 AM — Guided tour of the "Valle del Sosio" Nature Reserve (shuttle bus, meeting at Piazza Santa Rosalia)
- 10:30 AM — Guided tour of the village monuments (meeting at Piazza Castello)
- 11:00 AM — Vintage car parade with FIAT 500 Club Italia, "Il Castello" stable from Alcamo, and Club Maseratisti Siciliani (Piazza Santa Rosalia)
- 05:00 PM — Cherry tasting with the "Sicilia Antica" Folk Group from Agrigento (Piazza Castello)
- 05:30 PM — Guided tasting of the cappuccia cherry
- 06:00 PM — Competition for the tastiest cherry and the largest cherry
Highlights Cherry Festival 2026
- Guided tasting of the Sicani Mountains' cappuccia cherry
- Competitions for the tastiest and largest cherry
- Vintage car rally and parade
- Flag-wavers, street bands, and folk groups
- Show cooking and street performances
- Guided tours of the monuments and the Valle del Sosio
Prices Cherry Festival 2026
Practical information — Cherry Festival
How to get there
Chiusa Sclafani is located in the Sicani Mountains, in the province of Palermo. By car, from the A19 Palermo-Catania motorway, continue inland towards Corleone and Valle del Sosio; the village is about an hour and a half from Palermo. It is not directly served by the railway network: a car is the most convenient way to travel.
Admission and hours
Admission to the festival is free. The event generally runs from the morning (around 9:00 AM) until the evening, with the highlight in the afternoon featuring tastings and performances.
Tips
We recommend wearing comfortable clothing to explore the historic center and taking advantage of the guided tours of the monuments and the Valle del Sosio Reserve. Cherries can be purchased directly from local producers.
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Where does it take place — Cherry Festival
Piazza Castello