Chestnut and Autumn Flavors Festival

The Chestnut Festival in San Salvatore di Fitalia

The Chestnut and Autumn Flavors Festival is one of the most anticipated events in the autumn calendar of the Nebrodi, the mountainous heart of northeastern Sicily. It takes place in San Salvatore di Fitalia, a small town in the province of Messina surrounded by chestnut groves and forests, and celebrates the season's signature fruit: the chestnut. Now in its 27th edition in 2025, the festival is a decades-old tradition that attracts visitors from all over Sicily.

Local flavors and products

The undisputed stars are the roasted chestnuts prepared along the village streets, but the chestnut is featured in countless ways: soups, gelato, chestnut flour crepes, and traditional desserts accompany visitors along the food and wine trail. Alongside the star fruit, there is plenty of room for the typical flavors of the Nebrodi:

• chestnut honey and local beekeeping products;
• hazelnuts and mountain dried fruits;
• Nebrodi black pork, artisanal cured meats, and cheeses;
• street food including arancini, porchetta, sfince, and other specialties.

An exhibition-market dedicated to local Fitalia products and handicrafts completes the experience.

Music, culture, and nature

The festival is not just about taste: the program includes concerts in the square, performances by folk groups and storytellers, as well as guided tours of the village's heritage and trekking in the surrounding area. In the 2025 edition, the highlight was the concert by the band Il Giardino dei Semplici, held in Piazza San Calogero. Tastings wind through the streets of the historic center, with the heart of the festivities located along Via Vittorio Emanuele.

A village to discover

San Salvatore di Fitalia preserves a precious artistic heritage, including works attributed to the Gagini workshop kept in the Mother Church and a deep bond with the figure of San Calogero. The event, organized by the Pro Loco with the support of the Municipality and the "Vincenzo Bellini" Band Association, represents an opportunity to promote the traditions and local economy of this authentic corner of Sicily. Admission to the festival is free.