Sicilian Cannolo Festival
The festival celebrating Sicily's iconic dessert in the heart of the Enna hinterland
About Cannolo Festival
The Sicilian Cannolo Festival in Nicosia
In the heart of the Enna hinterland, the town of Nicosia dedicates a festival to the Sicilian cannolo that has quickly established itself as one of the most anticipated gastronomic events in central Sicily. For three days, the town's historic center, in the province of Enna, comes alive with stalls, the scent of fresh ricotta, and crispy shells, welcoming thousands of visitors drawn by the island's signature dessert.
The competition between master pastry chefs
The heart of the event is the grand competition between Sicilian master pastry chefs, who vie for the title of best cannolo in Piazza Garibaldi before an elite jury. Over the years, the presidency of the jury has been held by Giusi Battaglia, a well-known face of television cooking and star of the show Giusina in cucina, joined by renowned chefs and pastry experts. Alongside the main competition, there is also a challenge reserved for young pastry chefs, demonstrating the festival's commitment to the next generation of dessert artisans.
Show cooking, tastings, and culture
- Live cooking demonstrations dedicated to the Nicosia-style cannolo and the traditional preparation of ricotta
- Pastry stalls with tastings of freshly filled cannoli
- Conferences on the history and roots of the Sicilian cannolo
- Guided tours of the historic center's architectural heritage
- Musical performances, folk shows, and traditional storytellers
A dessert that symbolizes Sicilian identity
The festival was created to celebrate and protect a product that is an integral part of Sicily's gastronomic culture. In Nicosia, the cannolo is particularly linked to the tradition of ricotta from the hinterland and other local delicacies like Rame di Mandorla, showcasing the work of local pastry shops. The event has also become an opportunity to promote the historic center of Nicosia, rich in churches, palaces, and picturesque views, and to introduce visitors to an authentic and still little-explored corner of the Sicilian Region.
Cannolo Festival — edition 2026
2026 Edition
Following the success of the first edition, the Sicilian Cannolo Festival returns to Nicosia from October 16 to 18, 2026. The project for the second edition was approved by the Nicosia Municipal Council with a resolution on March 30, 2026, with the support of a grant from the Sicilian Region. The event will take place in the historic center, featuring the same successful formula of tastings, live cooking demonstrations, workshops, and the competition between Sicilian master pastry chefs.
The detailed program for the 2026 edition, including times, guests, and participating pastry shops, has not yet been made public: we recommend following the festival's official channels for updates.
Practical information — Cannolo Festival
How to get there
Nicosia is located in the hinterland of the province of Enna. By car, it can be reached via the SS117, which connects the town to the rest of central Sicily; the nearest airport is Catania-Fontanarossa, about a two-hour drive away.
When
The festival takes place in autumn, during the month of October, spanning three days from Friday to Sunday.
Tips
The stalls and most activities are concentrated in Piazza Garibaldi and the historic center, which are easily walkable. It is recommended to check the updated schedule and program on the event's official channels.
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Where does it take place — Cannolo Festival
Piazza Garibaldi e centro storico