Peach and Pear Festival

The festival celebrating the fruits of Maniace

In the heart of inland Sicily, where the slopes of Mount Etna meet the Nebrodi Mountains, the small town of Maniace (in the province of Catania) dedicates a major summer festival to its most iconic products: peaches and pears. The Peach and Pear Festival, first established in August 1994, has established itself over the years as a key showcase for local agribusiness and a reference point for fruit production in the entire Etna province.

The star fruits

Festival stalls feature yellow-fleshed peaches and the characteristic flat-shaped white-fleshed peaches, alongside fragrant Coscia pears, known for their yellow-green skin and aromatic flavor. The festival is also the perfect opportunity to discover other local culinary treasures: vegetables, mountain pasture cheeses, and local cured meats, most notably the famous Nebrodi black pig sausage.

Three days of festivities

The event takes place along Corso Margherito, with exhibition stands where fruits are sold and offered for free tasting. Evenings come alive with music, dancing, and cabaret shows, while Sunday afternoon is dedicated to the cutting and tasting of giant cakes prepared by local pastry chefs—one of the most anticipated moments of the entire festival.

Between Etna and the Nebrodi

Beyond the food and wine, the festival offers guided tours and excursions to discover the stunning surrounding territory: majestic oak and beech forests, the trails of the Nebrodi Park, and the evocative Sorgente del Medico, located at an altitude of 1,553 meters, surrounded by legends regarding its supposed therapeutic properties. The very name of Maniace recalls a historical episode: the victory of the Byzantine general George Maniakes, who defeated the Arabs near the Saraceno River in these very lands.

A festival for everyone

With free admission and open to all, the Peach and Pear Festival is one of the most cherished summer events in Maniace and surrounding towns: a chance to savor the quality of Nebrodi products, experience the atmosphere of a village fair, and immerse yourself in a unique landscape suspended between the volcano and the mountains.