Etna Afro Festival
African music and dance festival in Acireale
About Etna Afro Festival
A bridge between Sicily and West Africa
The Etna Afro Festival is an international event dedicated to African music and dance, held every summer in Acireale, in the province of Catania, Sicily. Born from the passion of the Afrodanzando association, led by Marina Cannavò, and under the artistic direction of Guinean-French percussionist Mohamed Med Camara, the festival has turned this Sicilian Baroque city into a crossroads of cultures, where local audiences discover the rhythms and choreography of West Africa.
Workshops, residencies, and concerts
The core of the festival lies in its residential and educational approach: for several days, masters and artists from Guinea, Mali, and Burkina Faso lead courses in African dance, djembe, doundoun, and balafon, catering to both professionals and enthusiasts. Lessons and artist residencies are also held at the Femminamorta facility in Carruba di Riposto, while the city of Acireale hosts events open to the public.
The highlight is the major evening concert in Piazza Duomo, where a large group of African musicians and dancers perform for free, featuring live percussion, traditional costumes, and a vibrant collective celebration. The program also includes open-to-all dance classes in the city squares and final performances by workshop students in Piazza Guglielmo Marconi.
An event with international reach
Over the years, the Etna Afro Festival has hosted leading figures of the international Afro scene, including renowned choreographers and percussionists who have brought the expressive richness of West African traditions to Acireale. Today, the event stands as one of the most original features of the summer landscape in the province of Catania, successfully blending the tourist and cultural appeal of Acireale with the project's intercultural mission.
Acireale, city of Baroque and the festival
Acireale, overlooking the Ionian Sea at the foot of Mount Etna, is famous for its Baroque historic center and its Carnival. In August, the city transforms, embracing the African rhythms of the Etna Afro Festival and cementing its reputation as one of the most vibrant destinations on the Sicilian coast during the summer.
Etna Afro Festival — edition 2026
Etna Afro Festival 2026 — 11th Edition
The 2026 edition of the Etna Afro Festival, the eleventh, is held in Acireale from August 2nd to 10th. Throughout the festival, there will be a rotation of African dance workshops, percussion courses (djembe, doundoun, balafon), Guinean and Malian dance classes, artist residencies, and public events in the city squares.
The established format is confirmed: open-to-all dance lessons in Piazza Duomo, a major free evening concert featuring the festival's African musicians and dancers, and the final performance by workshop students in Piazza Guglielmo Marconi. Residencies and workshops in dance, music, and yoga are also held at the Femminamorta facility in Carruba di Riposto.
Organized by the Afrodanzando association under the artistic direction of Mohamed Med Camara, the festival brings together a dozen artists from West Africa to offer Acireale and the province of Catania a week of music, dance, and intercultural energy.
Programme Etna Afro Festival 2026
The 2026 program is currently being finalized. The format is confirmed: African dance and percussion workshops, artist residencies at Femminamorta (Carruba di Riposto), an open-to-all dance lesson in Piazza Duomo, a large free evening concert with festival artists, and a final student performance in Piazza Guglielmo Marconi. Detailed calendar and registration on the official website.
Highlights Etna Afro Festival 2026
- Eleventh edition, August 2nd–10th, 2026
- Free evening concert in Piazza Duomo, Acireale
- African dance, djembe, doundoun, and balafon workshops with masters from Guinea and Mali
- Dance, music, and yoga artist residencies at Femminamorta
Prices Etna Afro Festival 2026
Practical information — Etna Afro Festival
Location
Public events are held in Acireale (CT), primarily in Piazza Duomo and Piazza Guglielmo Marconi. Workshops and artist residencies also take place at the Femminamorta facility in Carruba di Riposto.
Getting there
Acireale is located along the Ionian coast, about 15 km from Catania. It is accessible by car via the A18 Messina-Catania motorway (Acireale exit) and by train via the Messina-Catania-Syracuse railway line. The nearest airport is Catania-Fontanarossa.
Tickets
Evening concerts in the square are free of charge. Dance and percussion workshops and residential camp packages are paid, with registration available via the official festival website.
Information
The full program, workshop registration, and contact details are available on the official website and via WhatsApp at the number provided by the organizers.
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Where does it take place — Etna Afro Festival
Piazza Duomo
Piazza Duomo, 95024 Acireale