Sicilian Fried Food Festival

A festival dedicated to Sicilian fried delicacies

The Sicilian Fried Food Festival is one of the most beloved gastronomic events in the Etna region. It takes place in Viagrande, a small town in the Province of Catania nestled on the southeastern slopes of Mount Etna, in the heart of eastern Sicily. Every year in September, the "A. Aniante" Municipal Park on Via Luigi Capuana transforms into a massive street food village, where the tradition of Sicilian frying takes center stage for three festive evenings.

All the traditional fried treats

The heart of the festival is, of course, the food: the stalls offer the entire range of Sicilian fried specialties, from rotisserie classics to seafood flavors. Among the delicacies you can taste:

• Arancini in classic, meat sauce, and butter varieties
• Panelle (chickpea fritters), a true symbol of Palermo street food
• Crispelle, savory with anchovies or ricotta, and sweet with honey
• Bombe, siciliane, and other Etna-style rotisserie items
• Fried fish platters, meatballs, and battered vegetables
• Traditional desserts like cannoli and pistachio specialties

Tastings are paid for directly at the stalls, while entry to the area is free.

Crafts, music, and entertainment

Beyond the taste, the Sicilian Fried Food Festival offers an artisan market featuring handmade goods created by local artists and creatives, set up in the park's temporary stores. The evenings are accompanied by live music, shows, and entertainment designed for audiences of all ages, in a family-friendly atmosphere that makes the event suitable for children as well.

A highlight of the summer calendar

The festival is part of the rich "Summer in Viagrande" program, the municipal schedule that enlivens the town from June to September with literary reviews, theatrical and musical performances, sports activities, and concerts. Promoted by the Municipality of Viagrande with the support of local associations, it has become a fixed appointment on the Etna food and wine calendar: reaching its fifth edition in 2025, it attracts a large audience every year, drawn by the quality of the offerings and the authenticity of the Sicilian tradition.

Viagrande and Mount Etna

Visiting the festival is also an opportunity to discover Viagrande and its territory, part of the Etna municipalities district: a landscape of vineyards, lava stone, and panoramic views of the volcano and the Ionian Sea. Its location, just a few kilometers from Catania and Acireale, makes the event easily accessible for an evening of taste and conviviality.