Saint Nicholas Festival (Patronal Feast)

A patronal feast with an Etna heart

The Saint Nicholas Festival is the patronal feast of the town of Trecastagni, perched on the southeastern slopes of Mount Etna, in the province of Catania, Sicily. Saint Nicholas of Bari has been the official patron saint of the town since 1825, and devotion to him is deeply rooted in local religious history, tied to the Mother Church which dates back to the 15th century. Every year, the festivities involve the entire community, attracting faithful and visitors from the neighboring towns of the Etna area.

When it takes place

The celebrations span from the last Sunday of November until December 6th, the Saint's liturgical day, but reach their peak on the first Sunday of December, when the so-called external celebration with the grand procession takes place. The last Sunday of November marks the official opening, announced at dawn by blanks fired and the festive ringing of all the town's church bells.

Key moments of the festival

• Triduum of preparation: in the three days preceding the first Sunday of December, a guest preacher guides the community in spiritual preparation.
• Unveiling of the statue: during mass, accompanied by the singing of the hymn, the statue of the Saint is unveiled and moved from the chapel to the high altar.
• Solemn exit: the statue of Saint Nicholas, carried on the shoulders of devotees wearing the traditional votive sack (white gown, golden cord, and black cap known as a scurzitta), emerges from the central portal of the Mother Church, greeted by firecrackers, the ringing of bells, and the throwing of flowers and colorful ribbons.
• The procession: placed on an artistic float, the statue travels through the town's districts (Tondo, Sant'Alfio, Matrice). A traditional highlight is the entry into Largo dei Bianchi, where the procession is welcomed by the triumphant sound of trumpets.
• Procession of the Relics: in the afternoon, after the solemn pontifical mass, the Relics of the Patron Saint return in procession, re-entering the Mother Church late in the evening.

Tradition, faith, and folklore

The Saint Nicholas Festival combines a religious dimension with a popular celebration: the floral tribute from children, the town band's music, fireworks, and the choral participation of the inhabitants make this event one of the strongest identity-defining moments for Trecastagni. December 6th, the Saint's liturgical day, is dedicated exclusively to religious ceremonies, with the participation of local school students, and concludes with the repositioning of the statue in its chapel accompanied by devotional prayers.

Trecastagni and the Etna slopes

Visiting Trecastagni during the patronal feast is also an opportunity to discover an Etna village rich in churches, historic palaces, and traditions, immersed in the volcanic landscapes and vineyards of the volcano's southeastern side, in an authentic corner of the province of Catania.