Festival of Love

The Viagrande Festival of Love

In the heart of the Etna region, every year around February 14th, the Municipality of Viagrande celebrates Valentine's Day with the Festival of Love: an event that dedicates an entire street to love in all its forms. The star of the show is Via Duca d'Aosta, renamed Via dell'Amore, which overlooks the charming Piazza San Mauro in this town near Catania, on the slopes of Mount Etna.

The Way of Love

The street is covered from end to end by a red carpet and enriched with themed decorations. In 2024, the route was enhanced with four murals and a panel created by students from the 'Giovanni Verga' Comprehensive Institute as part of the 'Coloriamo la via dell'Amore' (Coloring the Way of Love) project: the works depict love in all its facets, from affection for family, nature, and animals to love for one's partner, studies, and oneself. Since then, the street has become a place to visit all year round, not just during the festival.

Lights and Atmosphere

For the occasion, the municipality creates a new lighting display: the lights remain on and visible for several days around Valentine's Day, inviting visitors for an evening stroll amidst romantic glows and installations. On the main days, the Via dell'Amore fills with couples of all ages, as well as families and visitors arriving from the surrounding Catania hinterland.

Shows and Initiatives

The program includes entertainment and live street performer shows, with performances by stilt-walking musicians and roving acts that bring the street to life. Recurring initiatives also include the 'Scatti d'Amore' (Shots of Love) photo contest, organized in collaboration with Visit Viagrande, which invites citizens and visitors to capture the most beautiful moments along the Via dell'Amore.

Viagrande and the Surrounding Area

A municipality in the Metropolitan City of Catania, in Sicily, Viagrande is known for its historic center, its villas, and its connection to Etna wine. The Festival of Love is part of a calendar of events that, between winter and summer, highlights popular traditions and community life, offering visitors one more reason to discover this corner of the volcano's eastern slope.