Maccherone Festival (Maccarrunata)

The oldest festival in Calatafimi-Segesta

The Maccherone Festival, which locals affectionately call the Maccarrunata, is the longest-running gastronomic event in Calatafimi-Segesta, a village in the province of Trapani famous for the nearby Doric temple of Segesta. Established in the 1990s, the event has been enlivening August evenings for over thirty years and has now surpassed its thirtieth edition, confirming itself as an unmissable appointment of the Trapani summer.

Busìata, the queen of the table

The heart of the festival is the busìata, the fresh pasta typical of the Calatafimi area, handmade by rolling it around a knitting needle. Along the streets and squares of the historic center, multiple tasting stations are set up, each dedicated to a different sauce: from Trapani-style pesto to seafood dressings, meat ragùs, and tricolor versions. The dish is accompanied by Sicilian sweets like cassatelle and cannoli, as well as tastings of local wines and craft beers.

Music, folklore, and entertainment

The Maccarrunata is not just about food: every evening the program features folk groups with traditional dances and costumes, DJ sets, live music, jugglers, stilt walkers, and fire shows. For children, there are areas with inflatables and entertainment. One of the most anticipated attractions is the vintage car, Lambretta, and Vespa rally, featuring a display of historic vehicles and characteristic Sicilian carts along the historic center.

A journey into Sicilian tradition

Organized by local associations, the festival is an opportunity to rediscover the authentic flavors of Calatafimi cuisine and the identity of a community that, for two evenings, opens its squares to thousands of visitors from neighboring towns and across Sicily. Strolling among the stalls, listening to folk music, and enjoying a plate of maccheroni under the stars is the best way to experience summer in the heart of the province of Trapani.