Profumo di Zagara
The Etna PGI Lemon Festival in Carruba, between Giarre and Riposto
About Profumo di Zagara
A week scented with orange blossoms in Carruba
When the citrus groves of the Ionian coast are in full bloom, the village of Carruba — a hamlet straddling the municipalities of Giarre and Riposto in the province of Catania — transforms into the capital of Etna's agri-food excellence. Profumo di Zagara is the festival that has been celebrating the Etna PGI Lemon and the ancient wisdom of Sicilian rural tradition for several years, reviving the historic Sagra da lumia a scocca.
The Etna PGI Lemon takes center stage
For an entire week, Piazza Stazione and the village streets are filled with stalls, scents, and flavors. The lemon is the true king of the event: it can be found in free tastings curated directly by local producers and in creatively reimagined dishes, such as lemon arancini, lemon leaf meatballs, and the inevitable granitas. Alongside the citrus king, other local treasures find their place, such as citrus-infused extra virgin olive oil, Provola dei Nebrodi cheese, and honey.
Culture, entertainment, and "A Scocca"
It is not just about gastronomy: the festival offers conferences and "salons" with agronomists and producers, exhibitions, craft demonstrations, show cooking, dance, theater, and music performances, experiential workshops, and folk displays. The heart of the tradition is the "A Scocca" competition, which awards the largest, most beautiful, and most abundant cluster of lemons: a ritual that tells the story of the pride of local growers.
A local event
The event is organized by Pro Loco Carruba Aps with the patronage of the municipalities of Giarre and Riposto, and is a candidate for the national "Sagra di Qualità " (Quality Festival) mark by Unpli. An appointment that unites two towns on the Ionian coast of Catania around an identity-defining product and a community that still lives off the land and its citrus groves.
Profumo di Zagara — edition 2026
The sixth edition of Profumo di Zagara returns to Carruba from June 22 to 28, 2026, with the village becoming the capital of Ionian agri-food excellence for a week. The 2026 edition is a candidate for the national "Sagra di Qualità " mark by Unpli and renews the celebration of the Etna PGI Lemon through free tastings, culture, and entertainment. The official inauguration is scheduled for Wednesday, June 24 at 8:00 PM in Piazza Stazione, in the presence of the mayors of Giarre and Riposto and representatives of the agricultural and tourism sectors.
Programme Profumo di Zagara 2026
Wednesday, June 24 — Inauguration
- 8:00 PM — Official inauguration in Piazza Stazione with the mayors of Giarre and Riposto and agricultural and tourism representatives
- 9:00 PM — Sicilian Salon "Lemon Mediterranean", hosted by Giuseppe Caudullo, with a debate between agronomists and local producers
- Craft demonstration of spinning Provola dei Nebrodi cheese with lemon
- Free tastings of local products
From Thursday, June 25 to Saturday, June 27
- Evening entertainment, cultural activities, and meetings
- Lemon-based culinary preparations: lemon arancini, lemon leaf meatballs, granitas
- Stands with typical artisanal products, show cooking, exhibitions, and shows
Sunday, June 28 — Grand Finale
- Evening show hosted by Giovanna Criscuolo
- Awards ceremony for the "A Scocca 2026" competition for the largest, most beautiful, and most abundant cluster of lemons
The detailed program for all evenings is updated on the official channels of the event.
Highlights Profumo di Zagara 2026
Prices Profumo di Zagara 2026
Practical information — Profumo di Zagara
Where
Carruba, Piazza Stazione and the village streets. Carruba is a hamlet shared between the municipalities of Giarre and Riposto (CT), along the Ionian coast at the foot of Mount Etna.
How to get there
By train: Carruba station on the Messina–Catania Ionian line (the main square of the event is located right in front of the station). By car: take the Giarre exit on the A18 Messina–Catania motorway, then follow the signs for Carruba.
Admission and tastings
Access to the festival area is free; many tastings of local products are free and provided by the exhibiting companies.
Organization
Pro Loco Carruba Aps, with the patronage of the municipalities of Giarre and Riposto. Updates on the program and times are available on the official Profumo di Zagara Facebook page.
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Where does it take place — Profumo di Zagara
Piazza Stazione, Carruba
Piazza Stazione, 95018 Giarre