Etna PDO Prickly Pear Festival

The 10th anniversary edition

The tenth edition of the Etna PDO Prickly Pear Festival was held in Belpasso (CT) from October 31 to November 2, 2025, at the Nino Martoglio Municipal Villa. The festival opened on Friday, October 31, at 6:00 PM with the opening of the stands and tastings, followed by the conference "Prickly Pear in Sicily, a totally sustainable fruit," and in the evening, a concert by the Mechanè Festival Popular Orchestra.

Saturday, November 1, featured creative workshops for children, prickly pear and mostarda tastings (with ticket), and in the evening, a show with Manuela Villa, Andrea Barone, and Salvo La Rosa. On Sunday, November 2, amidst impromptu painting, local crafts, and a special philatelic cancellation by Poste Italiane, the festival concluded with a final evening enlivened by Loredana Scalia, Massimo Spata, and Manuela Melita.

The event, organized by the Municipality of Belpasso and the Pro Loco with the collaboration of the Hotel Institute and the ARS for the gastronomic part, showcased the Etna PDO prickly pear, an agricultural excellence of the province of Catania.

Friday, October 31

• 6:00 PM — Opening of stands and tastings
• 6:00 PM — Conference "Prickly Pear in Sicily, a totally sustainable fruit"
• 9:00 PM — Concert by the Mechanè Festival Popular Orchestra

Saturday, November 1

• 10:30 AM — Creative workshops for children
• 6:00 PM — Prickly pear and mostarda tastings (with ticket)
• 9:30 PM — Show with Manuela Villa, Andrea Barone, and Salvo La Rosa

Sunday, November 2

• 9:30 AM — Impromptu painting and local crafts
• 9:00 AM-1:00 PM — Special philatelic cancellation (Poste Italiane)
• 9:00 PM — Closing evening with Loredana Scalia, Massimo Spata, and Manuela Melita