San Martino Festival

An autumn festival in the heart of the Erei Mountains

The San Martino Festival is one of the most beloved autumn traditions in San Cono, a small town of just over two thousand inhabitants nestled in the Erei Mountains, at the foot of Mount San Marco, in the province of Catania. As the days grow shorter and the air turns crisp, the village gathers for an evening of conviviality that smells of must and roasted chestnuts, faithful to a rural tradition deeply rooted throughout Sicily.

San Martino, the saint of new wine

The festival finds its roots in the cult of Saint Martin of Tours, celebrated on November 11th, and in the popular saying that goes, "at San Martino, every must becomes wine." It is indeed the moment when the new wine from the harvest is ready to be tasted, and throughout the island, the occasion is linked to the ritual of the first tapping, accompanied by roasted chestnuts. In San Cono, this tradition becomes a grand village evening, eagerly awaited by locals and visitors from neighboring towns.

Flavors and atmosphere of the evening

The event comes to life at dusk, immediately after the solemn celebration of Holy Mass. The food stalls set up for the occasion offer specialties that tell the story of local cuisine:

• Sausage sandwiches
• New wine from the latest harvest
• Chickpeas and roasted chestnuts

Accompanying the good food and wine are live music and cabaret shows, which transform the square into a place of joy and celebration for all ages. The organization is managed by the Vincenzo Longobardi Musical Association, which has been enlivening the village's cultural life for years.

San Cono, the City of Prickly Pears

Known as the City of Prickly Pears for the prized variety grown among almond and olive groves, San Cono is a village in the Sicilian hinterland founded in 1785 and dedicated to its patron saint, San Cono Abate. The San Martino Festival is part of a calendar full of popular events that mark the community's year, offering those visiting the less touristy side of Sicily the chance to discover the authenticity of a village in the Erei Mountains.

2026 Edition

The dates and detailed program for the 2026 edition have not yet been announced by the organizers. The festival is traditionally held in the second half of November, in line with the feast of Saint Martin: we recommend checking for updates on the official channels of the Municipality and the Vincenzo Longobardi Musical Association.