Mascalucia City Festival

A singing competition at the foot of Mount Etna

The Mascalucia City Festival is one of the most deeply rooted and anticipated musical events in the Etna region. Established around 2010, the singing competition takes place every summer at Parco Trinità Manenti, along Corso Raffaello, in the town of Mascalucia, in the province of Catania (Sicily). On the southern slopes of Mount Etna, the park transforms for two nights into an open-air stage that draws audiences from across the entire Etna metropolitan area.

A stage for young talent

The festival is primarily a showcase for new voices. Contestants, selected through auditions, compete in several categories: senior, junior, teenager, and original songs, the latter dedicated to those performing their own compositions. Over the years, the event has gained an international dimension, welcoming singers selected through auditions in Italy, Bulgaria, Moldova, and Romania.

Live orchestra and professional jury

A distinctive feature of the festival is the presence of a live orchestra—the ETHOS orchestra, conducted by maestro Daniel Zappa—which accompanies the performances, giving the competition a grand spectacle atmosphere. Performances are evaluated by a technical jury, composed of singers and industry professionals, and a critics' jury formed by journalists, industry insiders, and cultural operators. Prizes, including cash awards, are given to the winners of each category.

A celebration for the city

Patronized by the Municipality of Mascalucia, the Mascalucia City Festival combines competition with entertainment: between categories, there are guest appearances, performances by established artists, and show segments. Admission is free, making the event a popular and family-friendly gathering that enlivens summer evenings in Mascalucia and across Eastern Sicily.

Mascalucia and the Etna region

Located on the slopes of Mount Etna, just a few kilometers from Catania, Mascalucia is one of the most populous towns in the Etna hinterland. Parco Trinità Manenti, the town's green lung, is the natural setting for numerous summer events. The festival is part of a season rich in musical and cultural appointments that animate the town during the months of July and August.