Extra Virgin Olive Oil Festival

The festival of Etna's green gold

The Extra Virgin Olive Oil Festival is the annual event held in Ragalna every December to celebrate the region's signature product: extra virgin olive oil made from the prized Nocellara dell'Etna cultivar. Grown in the volcanic soil on the southern side of the volcano, this "green gold" is renowned for its fruity aroma and delicate flavor, serving as the star of a day entirely dedicated to the authentic tastes of the Etna mountains.

The heart of the festival: pani cunzatu

The highlight of the event is the tasting of pani cunzatu, bread seasoned with freshly pressed extra virgin olive oil—a simple, genuine staple of Sicilian peasant tradition. Alongside the bread and oil, the stalls set up in the square offer a wide selection of local excellence, including traditional products, preserves, cheeses, and local culinary specialties.

• Tasting of pani cunzatu with freshly pressed extra virgin olive oil
• Market featuring typical products and Etna food and wine
• Local artisan stalls
• Gastronomic specialties and street food
• Village festival atmosphere at the foot of the volcano

In Piazza Cisterna, the terrace of Etna

The festival takes place in Piazza Cisterna, in the center of Ragalna, nicknamed the "terrace of Etna" for the stunning panorama overlooking the volcano. At nearly 800 meters above sea level, within the Etna Park, the square transforms for a day into a vibrant market animated by producers and artisans from the southern slopes, creating a convivial and family-friendly atmosphere.

A highlight of the Autunno Ragalnese

The Olive Oil Festival serves as the closing event for the Autumn Markets of the Autunno Ragalnese, a series of events that bring the town center to life every Sunday from late October to early December. Organized by the Municipality of Ragalna in the province of Catania, Sicily, the event showcases one of the territory's most iconic products and attracts numerous visitors and food enthusiasts every year. Admission is free.