Sicilian Cannolo Festival

First edition 2025

From October 10 to 12, 2025, Nicosia, in the province of Enna, celebrated the first edition of the Sicilian Cannolo Festival, which proved to be a true popular triumph with over 12,000 cannoli sold over the three days. The inauguration was held on Friday, October 10, with a conference on the history of the cannolo at the Town Hall.

The highlight was the cannolo challenge on Saturday, October 11, in Piazza Garibaldi, with eight Sicilian pastry shops competing before an elite jury chaired by Giusi Battaglia and composed of masters Lillo De Fraia and Fabio Potenzano, as well as food and wine journalist Clara Minissale. The winner was Lillo Freni, from the Freni pastry shop in Messina. Sunday featured the 'Giro del Cannolo' competition, live cooking demonstrations, folk performances, and musical shows, confirming the festival as a new confectionery pride of the Sicilian hinterland.