Christmas in Floridia / Feast of the Immaculate Conception

Floridia celebrates the Immaculate Conception

In the heart of the province of Syracuse, Sicily, the town of Floridia experiences its most intense period in December. The Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Immaculate Conception, the city's patron saint since 1877, is celebrated on December 7th and 8th and has represented the religious and popular identity of the local people for over a century. Surrounding this event is the rich 'Christmas in Floridia' municipal program, which accompanies the community from early December until Epiphany.

The 'Scupiddi' procession

On December 7th, the historic center fills up for the traditional 'Scupiddi' procession, one of the most beloved rituals in the Syracuse area. The pageant starts from the Carmine Church and reaches the Mother Church: the faithful, especially children, offer votive candles to the Virgin Mary as a sign of gratitude. The name recalls an ancient custom: once, the streets traveled by the statue were swept by women and children with small brooms, later replaced by the 'decorated candles' that are still carried in the procession today.

December 8th: The 'Sciuta' of the statue

The solemn day of the Immaculate Conception opens with the Dawn Mass. At noon, the 'Sciuta' takes place—the exit of the beautiful statue from the 18th-century Baroque Mother Church, greeted by a fireworks display. In the afternoon, the statue is carried in a procession through the city streets, followed by a second procession after vespers, leading to the grand finale with fireworks.

The 'Christmas in Floridia' program

Alongside the religious dimension, the municipal administration offers a widespread program that transforms squares and cultural venues into a large open-air nativity scene. Among the established events:

• Art exhibitions and nativity scenes at the Nunzio Bruno Museum and in the nativity-homes of the center;
• The lighting of the Christmas tree and illuminations in Piazza del Popolo;
• The Living Nativity Scene at the Via Giulia Gardens, featuring re-enactments of historical Floridia figures and traditional tastings;
• The traditional 'Fucati' of Christmas on December 24th, bonfires and neighborhood conviviality filled with the scent of baked goods;
• The Floridia Nativity Scene Competition, reaching its 40th edition in 2025, with the awards ceremony on Epiphany;
• The Floridia Marathon, children's villages, and shows that enliven the calendar until January 6th.

An identity-defining event

Between devotion, collective memory, and popular celebration, Christmas in Floridia is much more than a calendar of events: it is the story of a community that gathers around its patron saint and its own traditions, in the heart of south-eastern Sicily.