Earth Day Cefalù
The environmental festival celebrating World Earth Day
About Earth Day Cefalù
Cefalù celebrates the Earth
Among the most beloved villages in Sicily, overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea and dominated by its imposing Rocca, Cefalù (Metropolitan City of Palermo) hosts Earth Day Cefalù every spring, an environmental festival held in conjunction with World Earth Day, established by the United Nations on April 22nd. Born in 2013 on the initiative of the municipal administration, the event has grown edition after edition to become one of the most deeply rooted environmental appointments in Western Sicily.
Five days of widespread events
For nearly a week, the historic center, the seafront, and the natural districts of the territory come alive with dozens of initiatives designed to involve citizens, schools, associations, and tourists. The program weaves together spectacular moments and opportunities for in-depth study: scientific conferences, book presentations, theatrical performances at the Salvatore Cicero Municipal Theater, art installations and exhibitions, spring parades, and educational workshops for children.
Nature, sea, and wildlife as protagonists
- Release of Caretta Caretta sea turtles on the seafront, managed by the Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Sicily together with WWF and local associations;
- Release of birds rescued and treated, in collaboration with LIPU, in the setting of the Rocca;
- Guided nature excursions towards the beaches and trails of the Madonie, from the Settefrati beach to Cozzo Rotondo;
- Beach cleaning with students and citizens as part of campaigns against marine litter;
- Temporary garden in Piazza Duomo and Ecovillage in Piazza Colombo.
Culture, entertainment, and civic engagement
Alongside outdoor activities, Earth Day Cefalù offers a rich calendar of free cultural events: theatrical and musical performances, painting exhibitions at the Ottagono di Santa Caterina, and meetings with journalists and popularizers committed to environmental protection. Each edition is accompanied by a patron or prominent guests from the world of information and science, highlighting the link between the festival and themes of sustainability.
A festival for the territory
Promoted by the Municipality of Cefalù with the patronage of Earth Day Italia and the participation of numerous environmental associations, the festival has a dual goal: to promote the city's tourist image and raise community awareness on environmental issues. Almost all appointments are free of charge, with only a few activities requiring reservation, making Earth Day Cefalù an ideal opportunity to discover Sicily in spring by combining nature, culture, and civic engagement.
Earth Day Cefalù — edition 2026
Earth Day Cefalù 2026 — 12th edition
From April 22 to 26, 2026, Cefalù celebrated the twelfth edition of Earth Day, with journalist Giulia Innocenzi as the patron. The program opened on Wednesday, April 22, with the conference "Water from the High to the Low Madonie" at the S. Cicero Municipal Theater and the release of Caretta Caretta turtles in Piazza Colombo, followed by the "Spring Festival" parade.
Program Highlights
- Free evening shows at the S. Cicero Theater: "Arabi di Sicilia", "Metti che rinasco" with Sergio Vespertino, and the concert "Sola" by Daria Biancardi;
- Nature excursions towards the Settefrati beach and Cozzo Rotondo;
- #StopMarineLitter campaign with beach cleaning by students;
- Sunday, April 26, grand finale with an excursion on the Rocca and bird release with LIPU, horse riding trials, puppy adoptions, and the inauguration of the climbing sector of the San Calogero cliff with the CAI.
Throughout the event, the temporary garden in Piazza Duomo, the Ecovillage in Piazza Colombo, and the painting exhibition by Rosario Genduso at the Ottagono di Santa Caterina remained open.
Programme Earth Day Cefalù 2026
Wednesday, April 22
- 09:30 S. Cicero Theater — Conference "Water from the High to the Low Madonie"
- 11:00 Piazza Colombo — Caretta Caretta turtle release
- 17:00 Historic Center — "Spring Festival" parade
- 19:00 S. Cicero Theater — "Arabi di Sicilia" with Libero Reina
Thursday, April 23
- 10:00 City Hall — Conference on energy saving
- 16:30 Corte delle Stelle — "200 years of Pinocchio"
- 17:30 Castello Bordonaro — Nature walk towards Settefrati beach
- 19:00 S. Cicero Theater — "Metti che rinasco" with Sergio Vespertino
Friday, April 24
- 09:30 Piazza Colombo — #StopMarineLitter, beach cleaning with students
- 10:00-13:00 Bosco Guarneri — Visit to Serra Guarneri and zero-km tasting
- 16:45 Belvedere Via III Millennio — Cozzo Rotondo-Cicerata excursion
- 19:00 S. Cicero Theater — "Sola" concert with Daria Biancardi
Saturday, April 25
- 17:00 Historic Center — "Willy Wonka & Chocofriends" with stilt walkers and jugglers
- 19:30 S. Cicero Theater — Meeting with Giulia Innocenzi
Sunday, April 26
- 09:30 Piazza Garibaldi — Excursion on the Rocca and bird release with LIPU
- 15:00 San Calogero Cliff — Inauguration of the CAI climbing sector
- 15:30-18:30 Villa Bordonaro — Horse riding trials, workshops, and tastings
- 18:30 S. Cicero Theater — "Like Kiribati – final delirium"
Highlights Earth Day Cefalù 2026
Prices Earth Day Cefalù 2026
Practical information — Earth Day Cefalù
How to get there
By train: Cefalù is served by the Palermo-Messina line, with the station just a few minutes' walk from the historic center.
By car: A20 Palermo-Messina motorway, Cefalù exit; it is recommended to park in the areas outside the historic center, which is pedestrianized during the events.
By plane: Palermo Falcone-Borsellino Airport (about 70 km), connected by bus and train.
Admission and reservations
Most events are free. Some excursions and activities require booking at the contact details indicated in the official program; some visits with tastings involve a small contribution.
Tips
April is the ideal time to visit Cefalù: mild climate and moderate tourist turnout. Comfortable shoes are recommended for nature excursions.
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Where does it take place — Earth Day Cefalù
Centro storico, lungomare e Rocca di Cefalù
Corso Ruggero 139, 90015 Cefalù