Madonna dell'Itria Festival
The patronal feast of Favara, blending faith, folk traditions, and entertainment in Piazza della Pace
About Madonna dell'Itria
The Madonna dell'Itria Festival in Favara
In the town of Favara, in the province of Agrigento, in the heart of Sicily, the Madonna dell'Itria Festival is one of the community's most cherished events. Dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary of Itria (from the Greek Odigitria, "She who shows the way"), the festival unites the spiritual dimension of Marian worship with the richness of Sicilian folk traditions, transforming the district around the Sanctuary into a vibrant space of collective celebration.
A devotion brought back to life
After a fifteen-year silence, the festivities in honor of the Madonna dell'Itria have returned to Favara, moved for the first time to the month of June. The rebirth of the festival is the result of the commitment of the Santuario della B.M.V. dell'Itria and the Itria APS Association, who have successfully engaged the entire community in an increasingly rich and structured calendar. The heart of the events is Piazza della Pace, which transforms into an open-air stage for a week.
Between faith and folk traditions
The program weaves together religious moments with cultural and entertainment initiatives. Alongside Eucharistic celebrations and masses held throughout the city's neighborhoods, the event features traditions deeply rooted in local folklore:
- the evocative horse parade with Sicilian folk groups;
- the procession of the tammurinari "I Tammura di Girgenti," filling the streets with the rhythm of their drums;
- rallies of vintage cars ("Ruote nella Storia") and classic Vespas touring the city;
- theater festivals, concerts, comedy shows, and evenings of folk music in the square.
The climax of the festival
The most anticipated moment is the solemn procession of the statue of the Madonna dell'Itria, which departs from Piazza della Pace and winds through the neighborhood streets accompanied by a brass band, in an atmosphere of deep popular participation. The festival concludes with a fireworks display that illuminates the sky over Favara, marking the end of a week of faith, community, and tradition.
An event for the whole community
The Madonna dell'Itria Festival is not just a religious event: it is a meeting point for Favara families and visitors alike, capable of blending the solemnity of Marian worship with the joy of Sicilian village festivals. Between processions, music, motors, and gastronomy, it represents one of the most authentic expressions of the identity of Favara and the Agrigento hinterland.
Madonna dell'Itria — edition 2026
The 2nd edition of the Madonna dell'Itria Festival in Favara was held from June 14 to 21, 2026, confirming the success of the festival's revival with an even broader program in Piazza della Pace.
The opening, on Sunday, June 14, featured the "Ruote nella Storia" vintage car rally (with the Automobile Club Agrigento) and the evocative horse parade with Sicilian folk groups. From June 15 to 17, masses were held throughout the city's neighborhoods. On Thursday, June 18, the square hosted a theater festival, while on Friday, June 19, the "I Tammura di Girgenti" tammurinari parade and a musical evening with the "Giuseppe Lentini" Band took place.
On Saturday, June 20, after a day dedicated to blood donation, over two thousand people crowded Piazza della Pace for the concert by Pino Minio and the comedy show by Sasà Salvaggio. On Sunday, June 21, the festival concluded with a Vespa ride, Eucharistic celebrations at the Sanctuary, the solemn procession of the Madonna's statue, and the final fireworks display.
Programme Madonna dell'Itria 2026
2026 Program (June 14-21)
- Sun, June 14: "Ruote nella Storia" vintage car rally (9:00 AM, Piazza della Pace) and horse parade with Fabaria Folk and Folk Gergent groups.
- June 15-17: Holy masses in city neighborhoods.
- Thu, June 18: Theater festival in Piazza della Pace (Guttuso Cultural Center).
- Fri, June 19: "I Tammura di Girgenti" tammurinari parade and musical evening with the "Giuseppe Lentini" Band.
- Sat, June 20: Blood drive; evening concert by Pino Minio and comedy by Sasà Salvaggio.
- Sun, June 21: Vespa Ride (Vespa Club Porto Empedocle Pirandello); Eucharistic celebrations at the Sanctuary; Solemn Celebration at 7:30 PM and statue procession from 8:30 PM starting from Piazza della Pace; fireworks at 11:00 PM.
Highlights Madonna dell'Itria 2026
- Concert by Pino Minio with over two thousand attendees in Piazza della Pace
- Comedy show by Sasà Salvaggio
- "I Tammura di Girgenti" tammurinari parade
- "Ruote nella Storia" vintage car rally and Vespa Ride
- Solemn statue procession and final fireworks display
Prices Madonna dell'Itria 2026
Practical information — Madonna dell'Itria
Location
The events take place in Favara (AG), with the epicenter in Piazza della Pace and the surrounding streets near the Sanctuary of the B.M.V. dell'Itria.
How to get there
By car: Favara is just a few kilometers from Agrigento, accessible via the SS640 "Strada degli Scrittori" (Caltanissetta-Agrigento). By train: Agrigento Centrale station, then local bus connections to Favara. By plane: Palermo "Falcone-Borsellino" and Catania "Fontanarossa" airports, both about a 2-hour drive away.
Admission
Events in the square and religious celebrations are free and open to everyone. It is recommended to check the Sanctuary and Itria Association channels for updated schedules.
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Where does it take place — Madonna dell'Itria
Piazza della Pace
Piazza della Pace, 92026 Favara