Nocciolata of Saint Nicholas

A shower of hazelnuts for Saint Nicholas

The Nocciolata of Saint Nicholas is one of the most curious and evocative folk traditions in Sicily. It takes place every year on December 6th, the liturgical feast day of the patron saint Saint Nicholas of Bari, in Gualtieri Sicaminò, a small municipality in the Metropolitan City of Messina. The heart of the festival occurs when over a thousand kilos of hazelnuts—known locally as "nuciddi"—are thrown from the balconies overlooking Piazza Duomo onto the crowd gathered below.

The origins of the tradition

The Nocciolata dates back to the 18th century and has survived to the present day thanks to a devotion passed down through generations. The hazelnut toss is a symbolic tribute to Saint Nicholas, who is depicted with his satchel of gifts as a bringer of prosperity and abundance: hazelnuts, walnuts, and dried figs have always been fruits associated with Mother Earth, symbols of fertility and wealth that the community shares.

Novenas and the folk hymn

The celebration is not limited to December 6th alone. It begins nine days earlier with novenas, evening masses featuring prayers, chants, and praises passed down "from father to son." On the final three evenings—December 3rd, 4th, and 5th—groups of locals of all ages walk through the village streets singing the traditional "Viva Viva Santa Nicola" hymn, knocking on doors to collect offerings: dried figs, walnuts, hazelnuts, and traditional local sweets.

The day of the festival

On December 6th, around 3:00 PM, the most anticipated moment begins in Piazza Duomo. Children, adults, and entire families gather under the balconies to catch the rain of hazelnuts falling from above, amidst a festive atmosphere accompanied by the local brass band. Late in the evening, after the saint's statue is returned to the church, the festivities conclude with a spectacular fireworks display that lights up the sky over the Messina village.

A hallmark of the Messina region

The Nocciolata of Saint Nicholas is much more than a folklore event: it is an identity-defining ritual that strengthens the bonds of the Gualtieri Sicaminò community and attracts visitors from across the province of Messina and all of Sicily. The saint is also celebrated in the village on the last Sunday of August with a major patronal feast and a fireworks competition between the districts, but it is the December Nocciolata that preserves the most ancient and authentic soul of local devotion.