The Cherry, Jewel of Mount Etna

A festival between Etna and cherry trees

In the heart of the Municipality of Sant'Alfio, a small village in the Metropolitan City of Catania nestled on the eastern side of Mount Etna at over five hundred meters above sea level, one of the most beloved events in the Etna region comes to life every early July: The Cherry, Jewel of Mount Etna. The festival celebrates the Etna PDO Cherry, an agricultural excellence of Catania grown on the volcanic soils surrounding the town, attracting visitors from all over Sicily every year.

The star fruit

The heart of the festival is the cherry, protected by the PDO label, available in the prized local varieties Mastrantoni, Napoleone, and Maiolina. Ripened on the lava soils of Etna, this cherry is distinguished by its firm flesh, sweetness, and intense aroma. Along the streets of the center, food and wine stalls offer the fresh fruit and its numerous derivatives: jams, desserts, syrups, and traditional dishes, including the famous Etna PDO Cherry risotto.

The Infiorata, an open-air museum

The symbolic identity of the event is the "Between Flowers and Fruit" Infiorata: hand-made floral carpets using flower petals that cover the streets of the historic center, set up with the collaboration of local associations and master flower artists from Noto. It is one of the most photographed and admired moments of the festival, capable of turning the village into an ephemeral art gallery along streets like Via Coviello and Via Pirandello.

Taste, music, and culture

The program alternates between guided tastings, markets of typical products and crafts, visits to cherry orchards and walks through the groves, technical wine tastings and pairings curated by ONAV Master Tasters, folk performances, art exhibitions, and activities for children. The evenings are enlivened by live music, concerts, and cabaret shows that fill Piazza Duomo and the town's squares.

Tradition and territory

The festival is not just about gastronomy: it is an opportunity to discover Sant'Alfio and its heritage, starting with the monumental Chestnut of the Hundred Horses, the thousand-year-old tree that is the symbol of the town. Recognized by the UNPLI as a "Quality Festival" for its authenticity, promotion of food and wine heritage, and focus on sustainability, the event is organized by the Municipality of Sant'Alfio together with the local Pro Loco, and represents one of the most iconic summer appointments on Mount Etna in Sicily.