San Cristoforo con Agata
The neighborhood festival bringing Saint Agatha to the streets of San Cristoforo
About San Cristoforo con Agata
A festival that revitalizes the neighborhood
San Cristoforo con Agata is a devotional, cultural, and social event held in the San Cristoforo district of Catania, in the heart of Sicily. Launched in 2025 as a regeneration initiative for one of the city's oldest working-class neighborhoods, the festival takes place just days before the grand Saint Agatha celebrations in early February, bringing devotion to the patron saint directly into the streets of the district.
Where it takes place
The heart of the festival is the area around the Santa Maria della Salette Church, run by the Salesians, which overlooks Piazza Don Innocenzo Bonomo and Via Santa Maria della Salette. For one evening, the neighborhood streets transform into an open-air stage where faith, art, and community meet before residents, local associations, and schools.
Faith, art, and tradition
The program weaves together religious moments and entertainment. The evening opens with a Eucharistic celebration and traditional rites of Agatha devotion, such as the blessing of the votive sacks. Alongside the liturgy, there are artistic performances recounting the story of the young Catanese martyr through sartorial creations, performances by folk groups with Sicilian songs and hymns, and flag-wavers who bring the square to life with the colors and rhythms of the island's popular traditions.
An event with a strong social commitment
San Cristoforo con Agata is more than just a festival: it is a project designed to restore dignity and prominence to a neighborhood often on the margins. The editions have paired the entertainment with concrete solidarity initiatives, such as book and clothing donations for vulnerable individuals and local groups. The event is promoted by the Salesian Parish of Santa Maria della Salette together with local associations, with the patronage of the municipal administration and the Sicilian Region.
Why attend
- An authentic opportunity to experience Catanese devotion to Saint Agatha away from the crowds of the historic center
- Free folk shows, flag-wavers, and artistic performances open to everyone
- A neighborhood telling its own story with pride, through popular faith, music, and social commitment
- An event with strong community value, growing year after year
San Cristoforo con Agata — edition 2026
San Cristoforo con Agata 2026
The second edition was held on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, starting at 5:30 PM, in the area between the Santa Maria della Salette Church, Piazza Don Innocenzo Bonomo, and Via Santa Maria della Salette, marking the 900th anniversary of the return of Saint Agatha's relics to Catania.
The evening opened with a Eucharistic celebration presided over by Father Franco Di Natale, director of the Salette Salesian work, with the blessing of the votive sacks and the distribution of Rosaries to those present. The artistic heart was the performance "Agata 900 - the journey", featuring ten sartorial creations that told the story of the Catanese martyr, followed by performances by a folk group with Sicilian songs and hymns, and the flag-wavers of the Rione Panzera cultural association.
The evening was hosted by Alessandro Cucinotta and Paola Parisi, with the participation of Giuseppe Castiglia as a special guest. The event, funded by private sponsors and supported by the municipal administration and the Sicilian Region, combined entertainment and solidarity with donations of books and clothing for vulnerable people and prisoners.
Programme San Cristoforo con Agata 2026
2026 Program
- 5:30 PM - Eucharistic celebration presided over by Father Franco Di Natale, blessing of votive sacks, and distribution of Rosaries
- Performance "Agata 900 - the journey": ten sartorial creations on the history of Saint Agatha
- Performance by a folk group with Sicilian songs and hymns
- Show by the flag-wavers of the Rione Panzera cultural association
- Hosted by Alessandro Cucinotta and Paola Parisi, special guest Giuseppe Castiglia
Highlights San Cristoforo con Agata 2026
Prices San Cristoforo con Agata 2026
Practical information — San Cristoforo con Agata
How to get there
The San Cristoforo district is located near the historic center of Catania, reachable on foot from the station area and Piazza dei Martiri. By car, you can arrive via the ring road and the main city arteries, but parking in the area is limited: it is advisable to leave the car in the outer areas and continue on foot.
Admission
Participation in the events in the square is free and open to all.
When
The festival usually takes place in late January, on the eve of the celebrations for Saint Agatha.
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Where does it take place — San Cristoforo con Agata
Piazza Don Innocenzo Bonomo e Chiesa Santa Maria della Salette
Via Santa Maria della Salette, 95121 Catania