Festival of the Most Holy Crucifix
The patronal feast of Montelepre, blending faith, tradition, and entertainment
About Most Holy Crucifix Festival
A patronal feast with an ancient heart
The Festival of the Most Holy Crucifix is the most important celebration in Montelepre, a small town in the hinterland of the Province of Palermo, Sicily. Proclaimed the town's patron in 1752, the Most Holy Crucifix is venerated through an ancient wooden statue carved from a walnut cross, kept in the Mother Church. Every year, in the last week of June, the entire community gathers around this devotion, which has roots stretching back centuries and continues to bring back many emigrants who return to rediscover their traditions.
Four days between the sacred and the profane
The festivities take place over several days, intertwining religious and secular aspects. The first evenings are dedicated to entertainment, featuring concerts, cabaret, dance performances, and activities for children, while the final Sunday is entirely devoted to the spiritual and devotional dimension.
- Lighting of the illuminations and opening of the festival in Piazza Ventimiglia and the historic center
- Concerts, cabaret, and musical evenings with popular artists
- Entertainment for children, traditional games, puppet theater, and equestrian shows
- Gastronomic tastings and stalls selling calia e simenza (toasted chickpeas and pumpkin seeds), nougat, and cotton candy
The procession of the Crucifix
The most emotional moment is the procession of the statue on the main day. After the solemn Holy Mass celebrated in the Mother Church, the vara (float) with the Crucifix is carried on the shoulders of the confraternity members through the town streets. Among the most intense rituals is l'acchianata ra strata ranni, the run of the bearers along the steep climb of Via Filippo Riccobono, and the ritual of returning to the Mother Church: the bearers climb the steps backwards so that the Most Holy Crucifix never turns its back on its people. The festivities close with a grand fireworks display.
An identity that endures
The Festival of the Most Holy Crucifix is not just a religious event: it is the moment when Montelepre reaffirms its identity, family ties, and sense of community belonging. For those visiting Sicily in the summer, it is an opportunity to discover the authenticity of a patronal feast in the Palermo hinterland, far from the major tourist circuits but rich in human warmth and tradition.
Most Holy Crucifix Festival — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of the Festival of the Most Holy Crucifix in Montelepre is held from June 25 to 28, with a program curated by the Festival Committee chaired by Giuseppe (Peppino) Lo Grasso.
On Thursday, June 25, at 9:00 PM, the lighting of the illuminations in Piazza Ventimiglia opens the festivities with a dance performance by local dance schools. Friday, June 26, features entertainment and inflatables in Piazza Flora, a parade of drummers and majorettes, the Amadeus marching band with the procession of the Blessed Sacrament, the concert of the Dune Mosse - Zucchero Fornaciari Celebration Band, and cabaret with Claudione and Vespertino. Saturday, June 27, includes a puppet theater show, an equestrian show, free tasting of De.Co. pasta, and at 10:00 PM, the concert of Silvia Mezzanotte, followed by disco music with DJ Rizzo.
Sunday, June 28, the religious heart of the festival: the Amadeus band through the town streets from 8:30 AM, the solemn Mass at 11:30 AM presided over by the Archbishop of Monreale, Monsignor Gualtiero Isacchi, and at 6:30 PM, the departure of the Crucifix procession carried on the shoulders of the congregation. Grand finale with a fireworks display.
Programme Most Holy Crucifix Festival 2026
- Thursday, June 25 - 9:00 PM: lighting of illuminations in Piazza Ventimiglia and dance show by local schools
- Friday, June 26 - 3:00 PM: inflatables and games in Piazza Flora; 5:00 PM: parade of drummers and majorettes; 6:00 PM: Amadeus band and procession of the Blessed Sacrament; 9:30 PM: concert by Dune Mosse - Zucchero Fornaciari Celebration Band; cabaret with Claudione and Vespertino in Piazza Ventimiglia
- Saturday, June 27 - 3:30 PM: puppet theater; 5:00 PM: equestrian show; 9:00 PM: free tasting of De.Co. pasta; 10:00 PM: concert by Silvia Mezzanotte; disco music with DJ Rizzo
- Sunday, June 28 - 8:30 AM: Amadeus band through the town streets; 11:30 AM: solemn Mass with the Archbishop of Monreale, Monsignor Gualtiero Isacchi; 6:30 PM: procession of the Most Holy Crucifix; final fireworks display
Highlights Most Holy Crucifix Festival 2026
Prices Most Holy Crucifix Festival 2026
Practical information — Most Holy Crucifix Festival
How to get there
Montelepre is located in the hinterland of the Province of Palermo. By car, it can be reached via the A29 Palermo-Mazara del Vallo motorway, taking the Montelepre-Giardinello exit and continuing along the provincial roads. The reference railway station is Palermo, from where you can continue with local bus lines.
When
The festivities take place in the last week of June and culminate on Sunday with the procession of the Crucifix.
Admission
The events take place in the squares and along the streets of the town and are free and open to everyone.
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Where does it take place — Most Holy Crucifix Festival
Centro storico e Chiesa Madre