Sicily Burlesque Festival

The Sicily Burlesque Festival

The Sicily Burlesque Festival is the most important Sicilian event entirely dedicated to the art of burlesque, a form of live performance that blends irony, sensuality, elegance, retro flair, and theatricality. Born in 2018 in Taormina as the Taormina Burlesque Festival, the event was renamed in 2025 to reflect its regional and travelling nature, visiting different cities on the island each year. The festival is conceived, produced, and directed by Roberta Pennisi, known as Lady Roberta Kent, a performer and producer originally from Taormina, with the support of the Accademia delle Essenze Artistiche Cultural Association.

Two stages between Piazza Armerina and Catania

The sixth edition in 2026 maintained the two-evening format. The first stage was held in Piazza Armerina, in the province of Enna, at the Teatro Garibaldi on Salita Santo Stefano: a contest evening where performers competed for the title of best performer of the edition. The second stage took place in Catania, at the Teatro Metropolitan on Via Sant'Euplio, featuring the final closing gala that brought together the contest winners and international guests.

International artists and guests

The festival has always been a crossroads for the biggest names in world burlesque. Over the years, it has hosted renowned artists such as Frankie Fictitious, Betsy Rose, Cervena Fox, and Scarlett James. The 2026 edition brought two international stars of the genre to Sicily: Chris Oh from New Zealand and Violette Coquette from Canada, both multi-award winners at the Burlesque Hall of Fame (BHOF) in Las Vegas, considered the most prestigious global event dedicated to burlesque.

A rich programme of events

Beyond the two performance evenings, the Sicily Burlesque Festival stands out for its structured programme of contests, galas, and side events. A highlight is the famous Vintage Morning, a retro-style photo walk that involves enthusiasts, performers, and curious onlookers in an atmosphere of yesteryear. Over the years, the festival has contributed to the promotion of the Italian burlesque scene, consistently selling out and establishing itself as one of the most original cultural events in the Sicilian performance landscape.