Nocattolo and Local Products Festival
The signature pastry of Nicosia, blending taste, tradition, and a Guinness World Record
About Nocattolo Festival
The festival of Nicosia's signature pastry
The Nocattolo and Local Products Festival is one of the most beloved food and wine events in central Sicily. It takes place in Nicosia, a charming village in the province of Enna perched at an altitude of over 700 meters, and celebrates the nocattolo, the traditional pastry that defines the city and its community. Promoted by the Municipality of Nicosia in collaboration with Confcommercio Enna Caltanissetta, the 50&Più association, and numerous local entities, the festival transforms the ancient heart of the town into a culinary journey filled with tastings, markets, and shows.
The nocattolo, a recipe passed down through generations
The nocattolo is a typical Nicosian specialty made with shortcrust pastry and a filling of hazelnuts and almonds flavored with cinnamon. Its origins lie in home kitchens, where housewives once prepared it for Easter and Christmas; over the years, the pastry has become a treat to be enjoyed year-round and an authentic symbol of local identity. The festival highlights its history with live cooking shows, artisanal preparation demonstrations, and free tastings.
Two days of celebration in the historic center
The program winds through the squares and streets of the village, from Piazzetta San Calogero to Via Fratelli Testa, and complements the tastings with a rich calendar of events: the vintage vehicle rally, guided tours discovering the Cathedral Basilica and the city's heritage, musical and folk performances, and sketches in the characteristic Gallo-Italic dialect that makes Nicosia a unique linguistic island in Sicily. Exhibition stands, local product markets, and refreshment areas complete the offering for families and visitors.
Nicosia in the Guinness World Records
The tenth edition, held on June 20 and 21, 2026, marked a historic milestone: Nicosia achieved a Guinness World Record by setting up the world's longest table of traditional biscuits along Via Fratelli Testa, certified at over 221 meters with thousands of nocattoli. The event, co-financed by the Sicilian Region as part of the "La Sicilia che piace" initiative, has thus brought the Nicosian pastry and the entire community into the international spotlight.
An appointment to experience in the heart of Sicily
Between gastronomic tradition, cultural identity, and community spirit, the Nocattolo Festival is the ideal opportunity to discover Nicosia, its monumental historic center, and the authentic flavors of the Enna hinterland. An event that combines the pleasure of good food with the rediscovery of the roots of a territory proud of its traditions.
Nocattolo Festival — edition 2026
The tenth edition of the Nocattolo Festival in Nicosia opened on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at 5:45 PM with the inaugural ceremony in Piazzetta San Calogero, preceded by the 9th Vintage Vehicle Rally. The evening continued with the opening of the food area, sketches in the Gallo-Italic dialect, and a performance by the Tiritalla Street Band.
Sunday, June 21, featured the highlight: at 11:30 AM, the Guinness World Record attempt for the "longest table of nocattoli," certified along Via Fratelli Testa at over 221 meters with thousands of traditional sweets. The day included historical tours of the Cathedral Basilica, live cooking shows with free tastings, a speed-eating competition for nocattoli, and a performance by the Engium Folk Group. The event was co-financed by the Sicilian Region.
Programme Nocattolo Festival 2026
Saturday, June 20
- 4:00 PM — 9th Vintage Vehicle Rally
- 5:45 PM — Opening ceremony in Piazzetta San Calogero
- 6:00 PM — Guinness general rehearsal with vintage vehicle crews
- 7:00 PM — Opening of food area and tastings
- 8:00 PM — Sketches in Gallo-Italic dialect
- 9:30 PM — Musical performance by Tiritalla Street Band
Sunday, June 21
- 9:00 AM — Festival opening and exhibition stands
- 9:30 AM — Vintage vehicle parade through the Main Square
- 10:00 AM-12:30 PM — Historical itinerary and visit to the Cathedral Basilica
- 11:30 AM — Guinness World Record attempt: the longest table of nocattoli
- 1:00 PM — Lunch at refreshment points
- 2:30 PM and 6:00 PM — Live cooking shows with free tasting
- 4:30 PM — Guinness competition and speed challenge
- 5:30 PM — Performance by Engium Folk Group
- 7:00 PM — Food area and affiliated dinner
Highlights Nocattolo Festival 2026
- Guinness World Record: the world's longest table of nocattoli, over 221 meters along Via Fratelli Testa
- Nocattolo speed-eating competition
- 9th Vintage Vehicle Rally
- Live cooking shows and free tastings of the signature pastry
- Guided tours of the Cathedral Basilica
- Musical and folk performances in the historic center
Prices Nocattolo Festival 2026
Practical information — Nocattolo Festival
How to get there
Nicosia is located in the hinterland of the province of Enna, along the SS117 road that connects the Tyrrhenian coast to the center of the island. By car, it can be reached from the A19 Palermo-Catania motorway (Mulinello exit) or from the A20 on the Tyrrhenian side. The most convenient train station is Leonforte-Nicosia, while the reference airports are Catania-Fontanarossa and Palermo.
During the festival
The event takes place in the historic center: it is recommended to park in the outer areas and reach the heart of the festival on foot or via the shuttle bus service activated for the occasion. Tasting tickets, affiliated refreshment points, and guided tours of the city's heritage are available.
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Where does it take place — Nocattolo Festival
Centro storico di Nicosia