Fava Bean Festival

An evening that tells the story of rural Sicily

The Fava Bean Festival has been the signature event opening the summer season in Campofiorito since 1997. Located in the Sicani Mountains in the province of Palermo, near the borders with Trapani and Agrigento, the town transforms for one night as Corso Antonio Gramsci and Via Regina Elena become an open-air stage where the local culinary heritage turns into a true community celebration.

The quadare and the ammogghiu

The heart of the festival is the cooking of dried fava beans from the latest harvest in the iconic "quadare", large copper pots lined up along the street. The beans are boiled slowly and served with "ammogghiu", a traditional dressing made of olive oil, salt, garlic, and pepper, accompanied by local wine and regional products. The displays faithfully recreate the ancient "pagghiara", the rustic huts made of reeds, wood, and straw where farmers once worked in the fields.

Memory and community

The festival was born to preserve the memory of the agricultural world: once, farming families would gather to celebrate the end of the harvest season. That convivial ritual lives on today thanks to the efforts of about one hundred volunteers who manage the cooking, distribution, stand setup, and entertainment. It is an authentic passing of knowledge and culture between the generations of Campofiorito.

Music, dance, and entertainment

The tasting is accompanied by live music, folk groups, and traditional dances, with the dance floor keeping the energy high until late at night. The Fava Bean Festival is also the first stop of the Campofiorito Summer, a calendar of events that runs throughout August with concerts, cabaret, shows, and family activities, leading up to the feast of the patron saint, Santo Stefano Protomartire.

A free event in the heart of the Sicani

The event is organized by the Municipality of Campofiorito with the support of regional and local bodies, and admission is free. It is the perfect opportunity to discover an authentic corner of inland Sicily, far from the beaten tourist paths, where rural hospitality and simple flavors are still the main attraction.