Seccagno Days - Lemon Festival
The festival celebrating the 'seccagno' lemon in the heart of the Nebrodi mountains
About Seccagno Days
A celebration of Pettineo's 'seccagno' lemon
Seccagno Days is the annual summer event that transforms Pettineo, a village of a few hundred inhabitants nestled in the Nebrodi mountains in the province of Messina, into a grand celebration of its most precious citrus: the 'seccagno' lemon. This unique lemon is cultivated by intentionally depriving the plant of water for a specific period, resulting in a fruit with superior fragrance, excellent shelf life, and more intense organoleptic qualities than common lemons. Because of these distinct characteristics, it has been officially recognized as a Traditional Agri-food Product (PAT) by the Sicilian Region.
What to expect in the village square
The heart of the festival is the tasting of granita made with 'seccagno' lemons, a Sicilian classic given a local twist. Alongside the granita, the two-day event features a culinary competition with lemon-based dishes prepared for visitors, ranging from appetizers to desserts, as well as numerous food and wine stalls showcasing local zero-mile products from the Nebrodi area. Visitors can also enjoy art and photography exhibitions, hosted in spaces like the Museo Domestico della Fiumara d'Arte, and guided tours of the historic center's churches.
Music, folklore, and entertainment
Evenings come alive with live music, folk performances, and cabaret acts that fill the squares and alleys of Pettineo. The event, organized by the Municipality of Pettineo in collaboration with the Pro Loco and local associations, was created to promote and revitalize the cultivation of the 'seccagno' lemon, an agricultural tradition that was once at risk of disappearing.
A chance to discover the Nebrodi
Visiting Seccagno Days is also an opportunity to discover an authentic corner of inland Sicily: the village of Pettineo, its churches, the sweeping views of the Nebrodi mountains and the nearby Tyrrhenian Sea, and the widespread art of the Fiumara d'Arte that defines this territory. The 2026 edition is scheduled for August 8th and 9th, with the detailed program to be announced by the organizers in the weeks leading up to the event.
Seccagno Days — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of Seccagno Days is confirmed for Saturday, August 8th and Sunday, August 9th, 2026, in the historic center of Pettineo (ME). Once again, the festival celebrates the 'seccagno' lemon, a traditional local citrus fruit, with tastings of the renowned lemon granita, a culinary competition featuring lemon-based dishes, local food stalls, and folk and musical performances in the square.
The detailed 2026 program has not yet been published: the organizers (Municipality of Pettineo and Pro Loco) have announced that the full schedule of events will be released closer to the date. This page will be updated as soon as information becomes available.
Highlights Seccagno Days 2026
Practical information — Seccagno Days
When
2026 Edition: Saturday, August 8th and Sunday, August 9th, 2026, in the historic center of Pettineo (ME).
How to get there
Pettineo is located in the Nebrodi mountains, in the province of Messina. By car, it can be reached via the A20 Messina-Palermo motorway (Tusa-Castel di Tusa exit), followed by local roads leading to the village. The nearest train station on the Tyrrhenian line is Tusa.
Admission
The event takes place in the public spaces of the historic center; participation is generally free, while tastings and products at the stalls are available for purchase.
Information
For the updated program, please refer to the official channels of the Municipality of Pettineo and the local Pro Loco.
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Where does it take place — Seccagno Days
Centro storico di Pettineo