Natale Malettese

A festival that lights up the Etnean village

Natale Malettese is the Christmas event program of the Municipality of Maletto, a small village perched on the northwestern slopes of Mount Etna, in the province of Catania, Sicily. For over a month, from the beginning of December until Epiphany, the squares and streets of the historic center are filled with lights, music, and traditions, transforming the town into a small Christmas capital of the Etna area.

Attractions for all ages

The festival combines tradition and fun, with a calendar designed for families, children, and visitors of all ages. Among the attractions returning every year:

• the ice rink set up in the heart of the town;
• the Santa Claus train that travels through the festively decorated streets;
• the Christmas markets featuring handicrafts and local products;
• the Bambinopoli, a space dedicated to children;
• the Megatombolata, the grand community bingo.

Traditions and spirituality

Alongside entertainment, Natale Malettese preserves the popular and religious roots of the village. Highly anticipated moments include the Gathering of Sicilian Bagpipers, which fills the streets with the sounds of the ciaramelle, and the living nativity scene through the town streets, usually re-enacted on Epiphany with costumed performers reconstructing the Nativity. There are also inclusive evenings organized in collaboration with local organizations like UNITALSI.

Concerts and New Year's Eve

The highlight of the festival is the New Year's Eve concert in the town's central squares (Piazza IV Novembre and Piazza XXIV Maggio), an event that in recent years has brought major names in Italian music to Maletto, drawing a large audience from the entire Etna region. The musical program also includes tribute concerts, gospel evenings, DJ sets, and theatrical performances spread throughout the holiday period.

A Christmas beneath Mount Etna

Experiencing Natale Malettese means discovering the authentic atmosphere of a Sicilian village in the Etnean hinterland, where community spirit and hospitality remain the protagonists. It is an opportunity to combine the magic of the holidays with a trip through the volcanic landscapes and traditions of the province of Catania.