Saint Joseph Festival

A devotional tradition spanning nearly two centuries

The Saint Joseph Festival is the defining event of Santa Croce Camerina, a town in the province of Ragusa in the heart of south-eastern Sicily. Devotion to the patron saint dates back to 1832, when Baron Guglielmo Vitale donated income to the Mother Church to honor the Saint. Since then, every March, the community renews an appointment that weaves together faith, popular gastronomy, and entertainment.

The Saint Joseph Tables (Cene di San Giuseppe)

The beating heart of the festival is the Cene di San Giuseppe, impressive votive tables that families set up in their homes to fulfill a vow or thank the Saint. These richly decorated tables feature dozens of traditional dishes and, above all, votive breads—masterpieces of artisanal baking with symbolic shapes: cucciddati, speri, la varva di San Giuseppe (Saint Joseph's beard), and the vastuni (the Saint's staff). A deeply felt ritual involves the Holy Family, who walk in a procession to the house where the dinner is prepared; Saint Joseph knocks three times on the door with his staff before being welcomed to the banquet.

The festival program

The celebrations span several days, with the main events concentrated over the central weekend. The Horticultural and Gastronomic Exhibition, set up along Via Rinzivillo, enlivens the festival with local products from the Iblei region. Guided tours of the 'Cene' and the Demological Museum, tastings, and demonstrations of Pane Pulito (clean bread) making invite the public to discover local traditions. On Sunday, the evocative Saint Joseph Auction takes place in the morning, followed in the afternoon by the solemn procession of the patron saint's statue through the town streets, accompanied by a fireworks display.

Shows and concerts in the square

The evenings in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II transform the religious festival into a major attraction: cabaret, band performances, shows, and above all, concerts by nationally renowned artists that draw thousands of visitors from across the province of Ragusa and all of Sicily.

Saint Joseph in Santa Croce Camerina

Promoted by the Municipality of Santa Croce Camerina in collaboration with the Festival Committee, the Parish of Saint John the Baptist, the Pro Loco, and local associations, the festival represents one of the most authentic appointments in the traditional Iblei calendar. It is an opportunity to experience popular spirituality, community warmth, and the genuine flavors of Sicily.