Hazelnut Festival

The Hazelnut Festival of Polizzi Generosa

In the heart of the Madonie Park, perched at over 900 meters above sea level in the province of Palermo, the village of Polizzi Generosa dedicates one of its most cherished festivals every summer to the fruit that brought it prosperity: the hazelnut. The Hazelnut Festival is a historic event, reaching its 68th edition in 2025, which blends rural tradition, folklore, and gastronomy into an appointment capable of attracting visitors from all over Sicily.

Madonie Hazelnuts, a Sicilian Excellence

The hazelnuts of Polizzi Generosa are considered among the finest in Italy: grown on the slopes of the Madonie massif, they are the base for numerous local confectionery specialties, from nucatoli to Christmas cuccidati. During the festival, fresh hazelnuts are distributed, and visitors can taste typical local products, including fresh cheeses like tuma and ricotta, the famous badda bean, and other zero-kilometer delicacies.

Folklore, Carts, and Tradition

The charm of the festival lies in its popular dimension. Throughout the streets of the historic center, scenes of rural life from the past are reconstructed — the mannara (sheepfold), the pagghiaru (straw hut), the taverna — animated by artisans in traditional costumes. The most anticipated moment is the parade of Sicilian carts, accompanied by local and international folk groups singing traditional songs to the rhythm of tambourines and folk instruments.

Music and Shows Every Evening

The festival evenings are marked by concerts and musical performances in the square, featuring Sicilian and national artists, in addition to the now unmissable evening gastronomic event dedicated to local cuisine. A festival that combines taste, music, and culture in the evocative setting of the Madonie.

A Village to Discover

Visiting the Hazelnut Festival is also an opportunity to discover Polizzi Generosa, one of the most fascinating villages in the Palermo area, rich in churches, noble palaces, and panoramic views of the Madonie Park. An authentic experience, immersed in Sicilian tradition.