Sfincione Fest – Bagheria Sfincione Festival

Sfincione Fest, the gastronomic pride of Bagheria

In the heart of Bagheria, in the province of Palermo, the Sfincione Fest has become one of the most anticipated food and wine events of the Sicilian autumn. The festival, created by the La Piana d'Oro Association, transforms the city's main thoroughfare — Corso Umberto I — into a grand culinary journey dedicated to a signature local product: the white sfincione of Bagheria.

What is white sfincione?

Unlike the famous Palermo version, the Bagheria sfincione does not contain tomato: it is a soft focaccia topped with anchovies, tuma cheese, breadcrumbs, onions, and extra virgin olive oil, seasoned with oregano and pepper. It is a recipe passed down through generations and traditionally enjoyed in Bagheria during the Immaculate Conception and Christmas period. To protect its quality, the festival has been promoting the product's candidacy for Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status for years, with the participation of the city's historic bakeries.

Three days of taste and entertainment

The festival is much more than a simple tasting event. In the «sfincione houses» area along Corso Umberto I, the best Sicilian bakeries offer both white sfincione and traditional red variants. The squares host show-cooking sessions and masterclasses with Michelin-starred chefs and famous culinary faces, competitions between pizza makers and bakers, food stalls, and street food. In the evening, Piazza Madrice becomes the stage for free concerts that close each day.

A record-breaking event

With over 130,000 visitors recorded in recent editions, the Sfincione Fest has become a major driver for tourism in Bagheria and the entire Palermo metropolitan area, combining the discovery of local flavors with the exploration of the territory's famous Baroque villas, such as Villa Palagonia. It is an opportunity to experience the most authentic side of Sicily, defined by popular traditions and conviviality.