Valdemone Festival

The Valdemone Festival

The Valdemone Festival is an event dedicated to street theatre, new circus, acrobatic arts, and music that transforms the small village of Pollina, in the province of Palermo, into a large open-air stage every summer. The name refers to Val Demone, the ancient historical district of north-eastern Sicily to which the Madonie belonged: a tribute to the identity of the territory hosting the festival.

A village that becomes a stage

For three days, the streets and squares of Pollina's historic centre fill with acrobats, jugglers, clowns, musicians, and performers. Shows take place in evocative locations such as Piazza Duomo, Piazza San Giuliano, Piazza San Pietro, and above all the stunning Teatro Pietrarosa, an open-air amphitheatre overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea. A traditional preview is also held on the beach of Torre Conca, featuring an evening show blending visual poetry, magic, and contemporary circus.

Street art from around the world

The festival has a distinctly international vocation: over the years, companies and artists from France, Spain, Argentina, Brazil, China, and Italy have performed alongside Sicilian talent. The programme ranges from contemporary circus to street arts, and from acrobatic dance to live music, with offerings designed to engage audiences of all ages, from children to adults.

A local showcase

Organised by the Municipality of Pollina, the Valdemone Festival was created to promote street artists and showcase the scenic and cultural beauty of the Pollina area, nestled between the mountains and the sea. Admission to all shows is free, confirming the popular and inclusive nature of the event, which in recent years has also been enriched by a two-day Winter Edition dedicated to magic, performance, and entertainment.

When it takes place

The summer edition is traditionally held at the beginning of August. Pollina, with its medieval historic centre, planetarium, and proximity to the renowned seaside resort of Cefalù, provides the ideal setting for a festival that combines art, landscape, and Sicilian tradition.