Forest Festival

The Forest Festival in Gratteri

In the heart of the Madonie Park, the village of Gratteri (Palermo province, Sicily) hosts the Forest Festival, an event dedicated to slow tourism, nature, and authentic exploration of the local area. Debuting in 2026, the initiative focuses on the forest as a defining element of this extraordinary corner of Sicily and a precious resource to be understood, experienced, and preserved. Between the village and its surrounding pine forests, the festival offers immersive experiences designed to enhance the relationship between landscape, well-being, and community.

Two weekends, two spirits

The program is divided into two distinct yet complementary weekends. The first, from May 29th to 31st, titled "Forest in Motion", is dedicated to active tourism and outdoor experiences: trail running, photographic trekking, yoga at the Belvedere, thematic walks to discover wild herbs, experiences linked to local knowledge and rural traditions, pony rides for children, animal encounters, and hikes to symbolic sites such as the Grotta Grattara and the Abbey of San Giorgio.

The second weekend, from June 5th to 7th, titled "Happy Kids between Village and Forest", is designed for families and children, featuring creative workshops, games, picnics, nature walks, and educational activities. Accompanying this is the optional "Unplugged!" challenge, an invitation to spend 48 hours with screens turned off, between the village and the forest, to rediscover the pleasure of authentic experiences.

Nature, protection, and community

The Forest Festival is not just about leisure: environmental protection is one of its core themes. Highlights include the meeting "Respecting the Forest: Fire Prevention and Forest Protection," with contributions from the Madonie Park Authority and the Forestry Department, the screening of the documentary Terra Nera – Voci dalle fiamme, and voluntary plogging initiatives. The festival also introduces a Forest Passport and a Forest Pact, symbolic tools to strengthen the bond between visitors and the environment.

A project for the territory

The event is promoted by the Viviamo Gratteri association in collaboration with the Municipality of Gratteri, with the involvement of the Madonie Park Authority, the Forestry Department, and the Italian Society of Pediatric Primary Care (Sicily section). Activities are free, subject to reservation, and prioritized for guests of the hospitality facilities participating in the festival: a concrete way to weave together sustainable tourism, hospitality, and the enhancement of this small Madonie village.