Ottobrata Zafferanese

The Ottobrata Zafferanese, the festival of Etna's autumn

The Ottobrata Zafferanese is the historic food and wine market that transforms Zafferana Etnea—a town in the Province of Catania nestled on the eastern slopes of Mount Etna—into the capital of Sicilian autumn flavors every year. The event takes place every Sunday in October and welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors each season, drawn by the typical products of Mount Etna and the festive atmosphere that fills the town's streets.

Four Sundays, four festivals

The heart of the Ottobrata lies in its structure of four thematic Sundays, each dedicated to a symbolic product of the Etna land:

• Grape Festival — the opening Sunday, dedicated to the harvest and Etna wine;
• Honey Festival — Zafferana is one of Italy's leading centers for honey production;
• Etna Apple Festival — a celebration of the prized apple varieties grown on the volcano;
• Mushroom and Chestnut Festival — the final Sunday, dedicated to porcini mushrooms and chestnuts from the Etna woods.

Stalls, flavors, and craftsmanship

Along Piazza Umberto I, Piazza Belvedere, the Villa Comunale, and Piazza della Regione, dozens of stalls display mustarda, honey, wine, apples, grapes, walnuts, Etna porcini mushrooms, typical Sicilian cheeses, and numerous traditional dishes, including gluten-free options. Alongside the food and wine, local artisans showcase their work in lava stone, ceramics, and wood.

More than just taste: excursions, shows, and concerts

The Sundays of the Ottobrata begin early in the morning with nature excursions through the trails and most characteristic places of the Etna territory, continuing with exhibitions, show cooking, guided tours, creative workshops, and games for children. The days conclude with folk performances, entertainment, and musical concerts. Admission is free.

A forty-year tradition

Promoted by the Municipality of Zafferana Etnea, the event was born in the first half of the 1980s and has grown to become one of the most renowned food and wine festivals in all of Sicily, the pride of autumn on Mount Etna and a showcase for the typical products of the Province of Catania.