'Nto Menzu a Na Strada Festival
Urban art, music, and artist residencies in the village of Cannistrà
About 'Nto Menzu a Na Strada
A festival that breathes in the village of Cannistrà
'Nto Menzu a Na Strada — which translates from the Sicilian dialect as « in the middle of the road » — is a festival of urban art, music, and folk culture held in Cannistrà, a hillside hamlet of the municipality of Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto, in the province of Messina. Established in 2023, the festival aims to regenerate the small village through contemporary art, turning streets, walls, and public spaces into a vast, open-air collective work of art.
Public art and artist residencies
At the heart of the festival are the artist residencies: every year, selected artists live in the village for weeks, sharing space, time, and materials with the local community. Clay, earth, and natural local materials are shaped into site-specific works inspired by rural heritage and sustainability. Alongside these, large murals are painted on house facades by Sicilian and international street artists, remaining to embellish the village all year round.
Music, DJ sets, and folk activities
The evenings are brought to life by live concerts and DJ sets, with a line-up ranging from singer-songwriter music to world music, and from electronic to funk. The music is complemented by workshops, vintage markets, readings, dance performances, and wellness sessions, creating an informal and participatory atmosphere that engages both residents and visitors.
A free event rooted in the territory
'Nto Menzu a Na Strada is conceived and directed by street artist Andrea Sposari with the Associazione Culturale Cannistrà, is supported by the Municipality of Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto, and is part of the city's official summer calendar. Admission is free. The dates for the main 2026 edition, scheduled for September, have not yet been officially announced, although the festival held a preview — the « Spin-Off » — on June 21, 2026, at the Parco dei Beatlesi.
'Nto Menzu a Na Strada — edition 2026
Spin-Off — Sunday, June 21, 2026, Parco dei Beatlesi
For the summer solstice and International Yoga Day, the festival offered a free preview at the Parco dei Beatlesi in Cannistrà.
- Morning — Yoga Festival: 8:30 AM Surya Namaskara with Erika Iannello and 432 Hz DJ set (DJ Bambi); 9:15 AM Vinyasa Flow with Fabrizio Lo Faro and Lucia Foti; 10:00 AM Anukalana Yoga with Noemi Guido; 10:45 AM final meditation with Erika Iannello.
- Evening — music and DJ sets (from approx. 9:00 PM, curated by Musicabbona): live performances by Luisiana (new pop) and Mother Funkers from Palermo (electro-funk).
In the days leading up to the event, street artist Ligama (Caltagirone) created an entrance installation.
Main edition — September 2026
The fourth edition of the festival is expected in early September 2026. Exact dates and the full program (artist residencies, murals, musical line-up) will be announced by the Associazione Culturale Cannistrà in the weeks preceding the event.
Programme 'Nto Menzu a Na Strada 2026
Spin-Off — Sunday, June 21, 2026 (Parco dei Beatlesi, Cannistrà)
Morning — Yoga Festival
- 8:30 AM — Surya Namaskara with Erika Iannello + 432 Hz DJ set (DJ Bambi)
- 9:15 AM — Vinyasa Flow with Fabrizio Lo Faro and Lucia Foti
- 10:00 AM — Anukalana Yoga with Noemi Guido
- 10:45 AM — final meditation with Erika Iannello
Evening — live music and DJ sets (from approx. 9:00 PM, curated by Musicabbona)
- Luisiana — live, new pop
- Mother Funkers (Palermo) — live electro-funk
Entrance installation by street artist Ligama (Caltagirone).
Main edition — September 2026
The detailed program for the fourth edition will be announced by the organizers in the weeks leading up to the event.
Highlights 'Nto Menzu a Na Strada 2026
Prices 'Nto Menzu a Na Strada 2026
Practical information — 'Nto Menzu a Na Strada
Location
The festival takes place in the village of Cannistrà, a hamlet of Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto (ZIP code 98051), in the province of Messina, Sicily. Some activities are held at the Parco dei Beatlesi.
How to get there
By car: take the A20 Messina-Palermo motorway, exit at Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto, then head up towards the hillside hamlet of Cannistrà. By train: arrive at the Barcellona-Castroreale station, then continue by road.
Admission
Free admission. Event supported by the Municipality of Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto.
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Where does it take place — 'Nto Menzu a Na Strada
Cannistrà