Loquat Festival
The festival celebrating Calatabiano's iconic fruit, blending flavor, folklore, and Sicilian tradition
About Loquat Festival
The Calatabiano Loquat Festival
The Loquat Festival is one of the most awaited events in Calatabiano each May. Promoted annually by the Municipality of Calatabiano, in the Metropolitan City of Catania, the event celebrates one of the region's symbolic fruits and marks the beginning of the celebrations in honor of Saint Philip Siriaco, the town's co-patron and protector. The festival is traditionally held in Piazza San Filippo, in the heart of the historic center, coinciding with the patron saint's feast day.
A land dedicated to the loquat
Calatabiano is one of the main agricultural hubs for loquat production in Sicily, with an annual harvest ranging between 700 and 800 tons. The fertile slopes descending from Mount Etna toward the mouth of the Alcantara River provide the ideal climate for prized varieties such as the "vaniglia" and the "nespolone". The festival was created specifically to highlight this excellence and everything that defines the community: its history, culture, craftsmanship, and local folklore, all recognized as intangible heritage of the Catania and Messina areas.
Flavor, crafts, and folklore
Throughout the day, numerous stalls are set up where visitors can taste fresh loquats and the many products derived from them: jams, preserves, gelato, and the typical "nespolino" liqueur, all offered by local producers. Alongside these gastronomic delights are exhibitions of artisanal goods, while folk groups bring the squares to life with traditional music and dance. The event also features live cooking demonstrations, a parade of traditional Sicilian carts, and deeply felt moments of devotion to Saint Philip Siriaco.
A grand town celebration
More than just an agri-food fair, the Loquat Festival is a tourist-cultural town celebration designed to attract visitors and promote Calatabiano's agricultural sector. It is the perfect opportunity to discover an authentic corner of Eastern Sicily, between the Castle of Calatabiano, the Alcantara Valley, and the flavors of a fruit that truly feels at home here.
Loquat Festival — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of the Loquat Festival was held on Sunday, May 10, in Piazza San Filippo in Calatabiano, with continuous hours from 11:30 AM to 9:00 PM. The day, combined with the White Zagara Lemon Festival, featured loquat tasting stalls and derivative products, craft exhibitions, and folk entertainment.
In the afternoon, starting at 5:00 PM, the "Sicily with Loquats" live cooking show by Executive Chef Nico Scarola took place, followed by the parade of Sicilian carts and the procession of the Relic of Saint Philip. At 7:30 PM, the traditional cake-cutting by the Mayor and the municipal administration occurred, accompanied by a tasting of Loquat Prosecco, concluding with the awards ceremony for the 21st Painting Extempore and the 6th edition of the Silver Loquat.
Programme Loquat Festival 2026
Sunday, May 10, 2026 — Piazza San Filippo (11:30 AM - 9:00 PM)
- From morning — Opening of tasting stalls for loquats and local products (jams, preserves, gelato, "nespolino" liqueur), local craft market, and folk group entertainment.
- 5:00 PM — "Sicily with Loquats" live cooking show by Executive Chef Nico Scarola.
- Afternoon — Parade of Sicilian carts and procession of the Relic of Saint Philip.
- 7:30 PM — Cake-cutting with the Mayor and municipal administration, tasting of Loquat Prosecco.
- Closing — Awards ceremony for the 21st Painting Extempore and the 6th edition of the Silver Loquat.
The 2026 edition was held in conjunction with the White Zagara Lemon Festival.
Highlights Loquat Festival 2026
Prices Loquat Festival 2026
Practical information — Loquat Festival
Getting there
Calatabiano is located along the Ionian coast, between Taormina and Catania. By car, it can be reached via the A18 Messina-Catania motorway (Fiumefreddo exit) or the SS114 state road. The Calatabiano train station is on the Messina-Catania-Syracuse line. The nearest airport is Catania-Fontanarossa.
Location
Events are concentrated in Piazza San Filippo and the streets of the historic center.
Admission
Access to the festival and public tasting areas is free.
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Where does it take place — Loquat Festival
Piazza San Filippo
Piazza San Filippo, 95011 Calatabiano