San Francesco Festival in Khamma

A patronal feast in the heart of Pantelleria

The San Francesco Festival in Khamma is the most cherished event in the district of the same name, one of the main localities on the island of Pantelleria, in the municipality of the same name in the province of Trapani, at the southwestern tip of Sicily. Every year, around October 4th—the day dedicated to Saint Francis of Assisi—the Khamma community gathers around its patron saint in a celebration that combines religious devotion with popular and social festivities.

The triduum and the procession

The festival is preceded by a three-day preparation period (triduum): every afternoon, starting at 5:30 PM, the community meets for the rosary and Holy Mass, with opportunities for confession. The highlight is the solemn procession, which travels through the streets of the district starting from the Madonna della Pace Church in the nearby locality of Tracino, reaching the church and square dedicated to Saint Francis, where Mass is celebrated in honor of the patron saint.

The festival along Via San Francesco

Once the liturgical part concludes, from approximately 7:30 PM, Khamma transforms into a large celebration space along Via San Francesco. The evening features music and dancing, entertainment shows, performances by artists such as juggler Fabrizio Campo, dance routines by local children and adults, and live music. The gastronomic side is not to be missed, with a rich and abundant dinner and tastings of typical Pantelleria products, accompanied by the island's wine, crafted by local wineries.

Tradition, flavors, and creativity

• Religious procession from the Madonna della Pace Church to the San Francesco square
• Triduum of preparation with rosary, mass, and confessions
• Shows and live music with street performers and dance performances
• Pantelleria gastronomy with local products and island wine
• Antique exhibition hosted at the Circolo Trieste

The event is organized by the P.G.S. Madonna della Pace with the patronage of the Municipality of Pantelleria and the collaboration of the Pantelleria Forania, as well as local associations and agricultural and wine businesses. More than just a religious celebration, the San Francesco Festival in Khamma is a moment of collective identity where the district rediscovers the value of community, tradition, and the hospitality typical of the island of Pantelleria.