Etna PDO Prickly Pear Festival
The Etna PDO prickly pear festival in the heart of the Etna region
Edition 2026 not confirmed to date
This edition has not been confirmed by the organiser to date. We recommend checking before going.
About Belpasso Prickly Pear Festival
A festival dedicated to the Etna PDO prickly pear
The Etna PDO Prickly Pear Festival is one of the most beloved food and wine events in the Municipality of Belpasso, a town nestled on the southwestern slopes of Mount Etna, in the province of Catania. Every autumn, the festival pays homage to the Etna prickly pear, a fruit with Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status that grows among the volcanic lava fields and represents one of the agricultural excellences of the Etna area.
The festival takes place in the charming Nino Martoglio Municipal Villa, the green lung of Belpasso named after the famous local poet and playwright, which transforms for the occasion into a grand market of taste and tradition.
Taste, tradition, and culture
The heart of the event lies in the tasting stands, where the public can sample fresh prickly pears along with a wide variety of derivative products: mostarda, jams, pastries, liqueurs, and other specialties based on this fruit. Alongside the tastings, there are local craft markets, themed dinners curated by local partners, conferences dedicated to the properties and sustainability of prickly pear cultivation, creative workshops for children, and impromptu painting sessions.
The evenings are enlivened by musical and entertainment shows featuring artists and guests from the Sicilian scene, attracting visitors to Belpasso from across the Etna area and the city of Catania.
A national recognition
In March 2026, the Etna PDO Prickly Pear Festival received the Sagra di Qualità mark, a national recognition established by the UNPLI (National Union of Pro Loco of Italy) and presented in Rome, in the Sala Koch of Palazzo Madama. The award highlights the authenticity of the event and its bond with the history and identity of the territory.
Organization
The festival is organized by the Municipality of Belpasso in collaboration with the Pro Loco Belpasso APS, which has been managing the event for over ten editions, promoting local agriculture and the traditions of the Belpasso community.
The dates for the 2026 edition have not yet been officially announced: the event is traditionally scheduled for the month of October.
Belpasso Prickly Pear Festival — edition 2026
The 11th edition of the Etna PDO Prickly Pear Festival is expected in Belpasso in the autumn of 2026. At the moment, the organizers have not yet announced the official dates or the program: the only available indication is the usual period of October.
Based on previous editions, the event is expected to re-propose its traditional structure at the Nino Martoglio Municipal Villa: tasting stands for the Etna PDO prickly pear and its derivatives, mostarda, themed dinners, workshops, conferences, and musical evenings. The detailed program will be published by the Pro Loco Belpasso APS in the weeks leading up to the event.
Practical information — Belpasso Prickly Pear Festival
Where
Nino Martoglio Municipal Villa, Belpasso (CT), in the province of Catania, on the slopes of Mount Etna.
How to get there
By car: from Catania, you can reach Belpasso in about 20-25 minutes via the SS121 or the A18/Catania bypass. By train: the reference station is Catania Centrale, from which you can continue by bus or car. Nearest airport: Catania-Fontanarossa, about 25 km away.
Admission and prices
Admission to the festival and the tasting stands is generally free; some guided tastings and themed dinners require a paid ticket. Check the updated details with the Pro Loco.
Information
Pro Loco Belpasso APS: www.prolocobelpassoaps.it
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Where does it take place — Belpasso Prickly Pear Festival
Villa Comunale Nino Martoglio (Giardino Martoglio)
Villa Comunale Nino Martoglio, 95032 Belpasso