Scillato Orange Festival

A festival dedicated to the Biondo di Scillato

The Scillato Orange Festival is the annual event where the Municipality of Scillato, located in the metropolitan city of Palermo within the Madonie Park, celebrates its signature citrus: the Biondo di Scillato orange. This local, late-ripening variety stays on the tree well into late spring, earning it a place on the regional list of Traditional Agri-food Products (PAT). This unique characteristic is exactly why the festival takes place in May, long after the orange season has ended in most of Italy.

Among the waters and mills of the Madonie

Scillato is a small Sicilian village in the Madonie hinterland, crossed by springs and streams that have powered citrus groves, vegetable gardens, and ancient water mills for centuries. It is in this landscape of travertine, water, and mountains that the local orange has found its ideal habitat. During the festival, visitors can discover not just the fruit, but the entire territory that makes it possible, in a weekend that blends gastronomy, nature, and folk culture.

Market and tastings

The heart of the event is the market of local products, set up along the streets of the historic center. Alongside Biondo oranges, you will find olive oil, cheeses, honey, jams, bread, and other local artisanal and agricultural goods. The event also features food and wine trails and tastings of orange-based products, ranging from pastries to traditional Madonie peasant specialties.

Shows, music, and street performers

The two-day event is packed with entertainment: street performers, jugglers, bubble shows, clowns, live concerts, and DJ sets animate the squares and alleys. Folk groups and Sicilian musical ensembles add to the festive atmosphere, making it perfect for families and visitors of all ages.

Guided tours of local heritage

A distinctive feature of the Orange Festival is the guided tours to Scillato's iconic landmarks: the historic mills, the springs, the travertine caves, and the Sanctuary. It is a unique opportunity to explore the deep bond between the community, the water, and citrus cultivation, and to incorporate the festival into a broader itinerary discovering the Madonie Park.

A continuing tradition

Reaching its twenty-eighth edition in 2026, the festival is organized by the Municipality of Scillato with the support of the Regional Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Mediterranean Fisheries of the Sicilian Region. Over the years, it has established itself as one of the most beloved spring events in the Madonie, showcasing a small village in the province of Palermo through its most authentic product.