Sea Festival and StoccoFest
The seaside village of Spadafora celebrates the sea, local traditions, and stockfish
About Sea Festival and StoccoFest
A festival born from the sea
The Sea Festival and StoccoFest is the major summer event in the seaside village of Spadafora, a municipality in the Metropolitan City of Messina overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea. Launched in 2023 by the Pro Loco of Spadafora, it has quickly become one of the most anticipated events on the Messina Tyrrhenian coast, drawing visitors from across Sicily and nearby Calabria. The festival unfolds along the picturesque Via Marina, in the heart of the village, which for several evenings turns into a bustling maritime village animated by stalls, enticing aromas, and music until late at night.
The fish village and cooking shows
The undisputed star is seafood cuisine. Along the route, a 'fish village' is set up, featuring food stands and cooking show areas where local chefs prepare fresh, locally caught specialties live. Tastings are accompanied by talks, forums, exhibitions, and video screenings that highlight Spadafora's maritime identity and Sicily's deep-rooted sea culture.
StoccoFest and the 'ghiotta' stockfish competition
The culinary heart of the event is StoccoFest, dedicated to stockfish, a symbolic product of the Messina region's tradition. The most anticipated moment is the 'ghiotta' stockfish competition, where chefs and culinary masters are challenged to reinterpret this iconic dish. StoccoFest has also become a forum for dialogue between Italy's great gastronomic traditions: past editions have featured experts in Mammola stockfish, Vicenza-style salt cod, and the most authentic Sicilian recipes.
Music, culture, and workshops
Alongside the food and wine, the Sea Festival offers a rich program of musical and folk performances, dance shows, poetry readings, and evening entertainment. There are also creative craft markets, experiential workshops for children and families, and initiatives dedicated to maritime trades, such as the art of knots and net-making. The Castle of Spadafora, the town's landmark monument, has hosted art exhibitions themed around water, adding a cultural dimension to the festivities.
A festival for the whole village
The Sea Festival and StoccoFest offers free admission and involves the entire Spadafora community, with the support of the Municipality. It is a perfect opportunity to explore the seaside village, savor the flavors of the Tyrrhenian Sea, and experience the authentic atmosphere of summer evenings in Sicily, amidst the sea, tradition, and conviviality.
Sea Festival and StoccoFest — edition 2026
The 2026 Sea Festival and StoccoFest in Spadafora is expected on July 27, 2026, a date anticipated by the organizers. The event, organized by the Pro Loco of Spadafora, returns along Via Marina in the seaside village with the fish village, cooking shows, seafood tastings, and the StoccoFest dedicated to stockfish.
The highlight, the 'ghiotta' stockfish competition, is also confirmed, along with exhibitions, workshops, markets, and musical and folk performances. The detailed program with times, guests, and the line-up will be announced by the Pro Loco of Spadafora on their official channels in the weeks preceding the festival.
Prices Sea Festival and StoccoFest 2026
Practical information — Sea Festival and StoccoFest
How to get there
Spadafora is located on the Tyrrhenian coast of the Metropolitan City of Messina. By car, it can be reached via the A20 Messina-Palermo motorway (Villafranca Tirrena/Spadafora exit) or along the SS113. By train, the town is served by the Spadafora station on the Messina-Palermo Tyrrhenian line. The nearest airports are in Catania and Reggio Calabria.
When and where
The event takes place in summer along Via Marina, in the seaside village of Spadafora. Admission is free. The detailed program with times and guests is published by the Pro Loco of Spadafora on their official and social media channels in the weeks leading up to the event.
Tips
We recommend arriving in the late afternoon to enjoy the waterfront at sunset and dine on the various fish specialties. For those visiting from out of town, the Milazzo area and the Messina Tyrrhenian coast offer numerous accommodation options.
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Where does it take place — Sea Festival and StoccoFest
Via Marina, Borgo Marinaro