Mostarda and Prickly Pear Festival

A celebration of the Sicilian autumn

The Mostarda and Prickly Pear Festival is one of the most beloved food and wine events of the autumn in the Calatino area, in the heart of the province of Catania. It takes place in Militello in Val di Catania, a Baroque village recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Late Baroque Towns of the Val di Noto and awarded the title of "Borgo dei Borghi 2025". For over thirty years, the event has enlivened the streets of the historic center for two long weekends, transforming the town into an open-air stage of flavors, colors, and traditions.

Mostarda and prickly pears

The absolute star is the prickly pear mostarda, a traditional dessert made from the cooked must of the prickly pear, served warm in characteristic terracotta molds according to ancient rural custom. Alongside the mostarda, local producers offer fresh prickly pears and numerous specialties of the Militello confectionery tradition, such as cassatelline, nfasciatiddi, and mastrazzola. The festival has been awarded the "Sagra di Qualità" (Quality Festival) mark by the UNPLI, a recognition that honors its authenticity and deep connection to the territory.

Folklore, parades, and culture

The program combines gastronomy and entertainment: Sicilian carts decorated with traditional motifs parade through the village streets, accompanied by marching bands and folk groups that bring the historic center to life with music and traditional dances. The event also features thematic exhibitions, guided tours of Baroque monuments, and conferences dedicated to local culture, hosted between the Castle Atrium and the former Benedictine Monastery. Evenings are filled with concerts, cabaret, and live musical performances that get residents and visitors singing and dancing.

A village to discover

The festival is also an opportunity to discover one of Sicily's most beautiful villages: monumental churches, noble palaces, and Baroque vistas provide the perfect backdrop for the festivities. Organized by the Municipality of Militello in Val di Catania with the involvement of local associations and producers, the event is free to enter and attracts thousands of visitors every year from across the province of Catania and the whole of Sicily.