Totano Festival

A festival born from the sea of Spadafora

The Totano Festival is one of the most beloved summer gastronomic events in Spadafora, a town in the Metropolitan City of Messina overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea, along the coastline connecting Messina to Milazzo. The event was created to showcase the squid (totano), a mollusk that symbolizes the town's maritime heritage, caught with care and passion by local fishermen and a staple of home cooking.

The squid, star of the evening

The heart of the festival is, of course, the tasting. The squid is prepared in many different ways: fried, stuffed, grilled, or stewed, following recipes passed down through generations that reflect the local culinary identity. The dishes are paired with seasonal sides, local bread, and white wine, offering a journey through the authentic flavors of the Tyrrhenian coast of Messina.

Music, entertainment, and conviviality

The festival is more than just food: the evening comes alive with live music, children's entertainment, folk groups, Sicilian songs, and craft stalls. The atmosphere is that of a traditional summer village fair, where residents and visitors gather to share a meal and an evening in good company, just a stone's throw from the beach.

A growing event

Organized by the Associazione 19 Marzo 1860 APS with the patronage of the Municipality of Spadafora, the Totano Festival has gained increasing popularity with each edition. The fifth edition took place on August 10, 2025, at the Parco Urbano, confirming its status as a major summer celebration dedicated to the sea.

Spadafora and its maritime tradition

Located in Sicily, in the province of Messina, Spadafora is a coastal village with a long-standing fishing tradition. The Totano Festival is part of this heritage, transforming a humble, everyday product into an occasion for collective celebration and local promotion. For those visiting the area in mid-summer, it is the perfect opportunity to discover the flavors of the Tyrrhenian Sea and the hospitality of a community that takes pride in its maritime roots.