Choco Factory

Choco Factory, the chocolate workshop of Capo d'Orlando

Every year in mid-February, Piazza Matteotti in Capo d'Orlando, on the Tyrrhenian coast of the Province of Messina, hosts Choco Factory, the "traveling cultural chocolate workshop." For four days, the town's main square is filled with the aroma of cocoa, stalls brimming with pralines and chocolate bars, and workshops where visitors of all ages can discover the secrets of master chocolatiers. The initiative, promoted by the Vivasicilia tourist circuit, has become a highly anticipated event in the Nebrodi winter calendar.

A journey into the world of cocoa

The heart of the event is the exhibition area, where the finest artisans showcase chocolate in all its forms: dark, milk, flavored, sculpted, and tasting varieties. A place of honor is reserved for the famous Modica PGI chocolate, processed "cold" according to ancient Iblean tradition and recognized by the European Union with the Protected Geographical Indication. Between the stands, visitors can enjoy live cooking shows, demonstrations, and guided tours of the chocolate "factory."

Workshops and activities for everyone

• Free courses on how to make chocolate pralines at home
• Educational workshops for children on chocolate processing and sculpting
• Guided tastings and live cooking shows with master chocolatiers
• A journey from "cocoa bean to chocolate," exploring the history of Modica chocolate
• Food area featuring Sicilian gastronomic specialties, often reinterpreted with chocolate

The Night of the Lanterns

The most evocative moment occurs on the evening of February 14th, Valentine's Day, when the festival hosts the Night of the Lanterns: the square lights up with lanterns, offering couples and visitors a romantic, intimate atmosphere that makes Choco Factory more than just a sweet treat—it is an event to be experienced by candlelight.

An appointment for the local area

Included in the winter event calendar of Capo d'Orlando, Choco Factory combines a passion for chocolate with the promotion of the town center and excellent Sicilian confectionery. Admission is free, and the multi-day format makes it ideal for a family trip to explore the beauty of the Nebrodi area and the Messina coast.