Pedalino Grape Harvest Festival

A festival that captures the rural soul of Pedalino

The Pedalino Grape Harvest Festival is one of the most beloved events in the Iblean territory. It takes place in Pedalino, a populous village in the municipality of Comiso, in the province of Ragusa, in the heart of south-eastern Sicily—a land of vineyards and ancient agricultural traditions. Established in 1988, the festival has spent nearly forty years celebrating the values and skills associated with the grape harvest, preserving and passing down the history of a town deeply rooted in the countryside.

Recreating the entire harvest cycle

What makes this festival unique is its commitment to representing not just a single moment, but the entire harvest process. During the event, visitors can witness the traditional grape stomping using the 'rata' or 'cuonzu', the ancient wooden press once used to crush grapes, and the preparation of traditional products made from cooked grape must: cuddureddi and mustata, sweets from the Iblean farming memory. The most anticipated moment is the Sunday open-air lunch, where the community gathers to share traditional flavors.

Folklore, carts, and performances

The event combines its historical re-enactment with a rich program of entertainment. Recurring highlights include the parade of Sicilian carts and folk groups, the festival of sweets (now in its third decade), and musical evenings in Piazza Gramsci featuring concerts, cabaret, and DJ sets, alongside book presentations, photography exhibitions, and children's workshops. The town's streets and squares come alive with food stalls and tastings of local specialties.

A defining event for the Iblean community

Organized with the patronage of the Municipality of Comiso and the support of local associations, the Grape Harvest Festival is much more than a village fair: it is an act of collective memory that attracts thousands of people from across the province of Ragusa and all of Sicily every year. For those visiting the Iblean region, it offers an authentic opportunity to discover Sicilian rural culture, its agricultural rituals, and its legendary hospitality.