Estate Nicolosi (Stelle e Lapilli)

A summer festival at the foot of Mount Etna

Estate Nicolosi, historically known as "Stelle e Lapilli", is the summer programme promoted by the Municipality of Nicolosi, a village in the province of Catania nestled on the southern side of Mount Etna at an altitude of approximately 700 metres. Regarded as one of the main "gateways to Etna", every year between July and August, Nicolosi welcomes residents and tourists with a rich programme of events spread across the historic centre, the Monti Rossi Pine Forest, and the surrounding mountain areas.

A multidisciplinary programme

The festival blends diverse genres and audiences: open-air theatrical performances, musical and entertainment shows, cultural events, sporting competitions, and religious festivals of local tradition. Recurring devotional events include the Feast of Saint Anthony Abbot, the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, and the Feast of Saint Anthony of Padua, moments that weave together popular faith and the village's social life.

• Theatre with the historic Compagnia Amici del Teatro di Nicolosi
• Concerts and musical evenings in the town centre and the pine forest
• Sporting events such as the "Nicolosi Porta dell'Etna" GranFondo and mountain races
• Religious festivals and traditional celebrations

The Notti di San Lorenzo

The most anticipated moment is the Notti di San Lorenzo, defined as the "highest festival in Sicily": evenings dedicated to music, dance, and food and wine to be experienced at high altitude on Mount Etna, with eyes turned to the sky during the shooting stars period. The events, held between the Monti Rossi Pine Forest and the higher reaches of the volcano, combine live performances, tastings of local products, and astronomical observations, in a unique fusion of volcanic nature, Etnean gastronomy, and tradition.

Nicolosi and the Etna region

Located within the Etna Park in Sicily, Nicolosi is the ideal starting point for excursions towards the craters, the Monti Rossi, and the lava trails. The summer festival enhances this identity as a mountain village overlooking the Mediterranean, offering visitors an opportunity to discover the town, its flavours, and the unique landscape of Europe's highest volcano.