Mo'Sta Fest - Mostata and Insabbiata Festival

Mo'Sta Fest in Portopalo di Capo Passero

The Mo'Sta Fest - Mostata and Insabbiata Festival is the autumn celebration of Portopalo di Capo Passero, a picturesque seaside village located at the southernmost point of Sicily, in the province of Syracuse. The event was created to promote the region's culinary and cultural traditions through the tasting of mostata and local specialties, combined with the fascinating art of insabbiata. Admission is free, and the event takes place along via Lucio Tasca and the streets of the historic center.

Mostata, the Queen of Autumn

The heart of the festival is mostata (or grape mostarda), a traditional Sicilian dessert made from cooked grape must, flavored with cloves and enriched with chopped almonds. It is a rich, indulgent spoon dessert deeply rooted in rural culture and the harvest season. Food stalls offer a variety of sweet and savory products based on mostata, alongside local specialties: cavatelli with tomato sauce, ricotta ravioli, sausage sandwiches, porchetta, mpanate, calzones, focaccias, fried fish, and crepes.

Insabbiata, Ephemeral Art on Colored Sand

The other soul of the festival is the insabbiata, a form of ephemeral art where artists and volunteers create intricate designs and compositions using colored sand to decorate the town's streets. Each edition features a specific theme: in 2025, the insabbiata was dedicated to Andrea Camilleri, marking the centenary of the Sicilian writer's birth. These evocative yet temporary works transform the center of Portopalo into an open-air gallery and represent one of the most anticipated moments of the event.

Music, Motors, and Tradition

Beyond gastronomy and art, the Mo'Sta Fest offers a rich entertainment program: concerts, acoustic bands, street bands, DJ sets, and folk performances bring the evenings to life. There are also static displays of vintage cars, Fiat 500s, and classic motorcycles, which attract enthusiasts and curious visitors alike. The festival involves the entire community of this small village and, with its mix of flavors, music, and culture, has become a landmark autumn event in south-eastern Sicily.

An Autumn Appointment in South-Eastern Sicily

Held in October, the month of the grape harvest and mostata, the Mo'Sta Fest is the perfect opportunity to discover Portopalo di Capo Passero, its sea, its tuna fishery, and its food and wine traditions. The event is organized with the support of the Municipality of Portopalo di Capo Passero and local associations. The dates for the 2026 edition have not yet been officially announced.