Ognina Fish Festival

The festival of the seaside village of Ognina

The Ognina Fish Festival is the culinary heart of the popular festivities in honor of the Madonna di Ognina, which bring the eponymous district of Catania, Sicily, to life every September. Overlooking the Ionian Sea, the village of Ognina is a historic fishing district, officially recognized as a seaside village alongside San Giovanni Li Cuti. For a few days, its squares and the narrow streets near the small harbor transform into a grand market of flavors, where bluefish is the absolute star.

What to eat

The core of the event is seafood street food, prepared according to traditional Catanese recipes. Among the most popular offerings at the stalls:

• Freshly caught bluefish and mixed fried seafood (frittura di paranza)
• Grilled or marinated red tuna, anchovies, and sardines
• Specialties of Sicilian maritime cuisine and local products
• Desserts and granita to round off the evening

The evenings are enlivened by musical and folk performances, which accompany visitors as they stroll between the stalls, creating the typical atmosphere of a village festival.

Between devotion and tradition

The festival is closely linked to the Feast of Saint Mary of Ognina, the second most attended religious celebration in Catania after the Feast of Saint Agatha. The highlight is the "svelata" (unveiling) of the Madonna's statue on September 8th, the day of the Nativity of Mary: amidst Marian hymns, fireworks, and a brass band in the square, the statue slowly rises from the altar to reveal itself to the faithful. The following days feature the evocative sea procession, with the statue carried on boats out to sea, and the procession through the streets of the district, concluding with a pyromusical show at the outer pier.

A free, popular event

Organized by the Santa Maria di Ognina Festival Committee in collaboration with the Sanctuary and with the patronage of the Municipality of Catania and the Sicilian Region, the festival offers free admission. It is the perfect opportunity to experience the authentic maritime soul of Catania, amidst popular faith, Ionian flavors, and the contagious joy of a celebration that unites devotion and conviviality.