Crastuna Festival

A festival dedicated to crastuna

The Crastuna Festival is one of the most beloved gastronomic events in the municipality of Solarino, a small town on the Iblean plateau in the province of Syracuse, in the heart of south-eastern Sicily. The festival is entirely dedicated to crastuna, the local dialect term for vineyard snails: the largest variety of Sicilian snails, also known elsewhere as babbaluci or vavaluci. This dish is a symbol of the island's humble cuisine, now rediscovered as a delicacy of popular dining.

Crastuna and local specialties

The heart of the festival lies in the food stalls set up in Piazza del Plebiscito, where crastuna are served, prepared using the most ancient and delicious traditional recipes. Alongside the star dish, there is space for typical products from the Iblean territory and local craft stalls, creating a culinary journey that tells the story of the authentic flavors of the province of Syracuse.

Music, shows, and entertainment

The Crastuna Festival is not just about gastronomy: every edition offers a rich program of live entertainment. The evenings are enlivened by concerts from Italian and Sicilian artists, while during the day, areas are set up for children with bouncy castles, cotton candy, and face painting. The festival is organized by the US Project Association, which oversees its artistic direction.

A young and growing event

The first edition took place in May 2024 in Piazza del Plebiscito, immediately enjoying great public success. From the following year, the event moved to the height of summer in July, featuring dozens of food and craft stalls and major concerts. In just a few years, the Crastuna Festival has established itself as one of the most anticipated summer events in the calendar of Solarino and the entire Syracuse area.

An appointment with authentic Sicily

Attending the Crastuna Festival means immersing yourself in the most genuine Sicily—the one of crowded squares on summer evenings, ancient flavors, and popular conviviality. Solarino, with its cozy village atmosphere and hospitality, offers the ideal setting to discover a unique gastronomic tradition and enjoy a few evenings of celebration filled with taste and music.