Wheat Festival
Peasant culture and ancient Sicilian grains in the heart of the Iblei Mountains
About Wheat Festival
The Wheat Festival in Chiaramonte Gulfi
In the heart of the Iblei Mountains, at an altitude of over 600 meters, lies Chiaramonte Gulfi, nicknamed the Balcony of Sicily for its panoramic views stretching to the sea and Mount Etna. Every year in mid-June, this town in the province of Ragusa transforms into the stage for the Wheat Festival, an event dedicated to peasant civilization and ancient Sicilian grains. Promoted by the Associazione Culturale Femminile 8 Marzo with the support of the Municipality of Chiaramonte Gulfi, the Province of Ragusa, and the Sicilian Region, the festival has quickly become a highly anticipated event for residents and visitors alike.
The ancient grains of the Ragusa area
At the heart of the event is the promotion of ancient Sicilian grains, varieties cultivated for generations on the Iblei plateau and rediscovered today for their almost forgotten aromas and flavors. Key varieties include Tumminia, Russello, Perciasacchi, Maiorca, and Senatore Cappelli. Tasting stands are set up along the streets of the historic center, where the public can sample bread, baked goods, and specialties made with these flours, discovering the deep bond between the territory and its cereal-growing tradition.
Processions, carts, and peasant culture
The Wheat Festival is, above all, a journey through memory. The program features the evocative procession of Sicilian carriages and carts organized by the Scuderia Runza, which parades through the streets, evoking the rural Sicily of the 19th century. There are also bread-making demonstrations "the way it used to be done," showcasing traditional techniques, and educational workshops designed for families and schools. Craft markets and stalls featuring local products complete the offering, enlivening Piazza Duomo and Corso Umberto.
Music, folklore, and entertainment
The evenings are enriched with folk dances, performances by traditional groups like Sicilia Bedda and the Gruppo Danze Familiari, comedy sketches, and live music that culminates in group dances in the square. Between rhythmic gymnastics displays, comedy shows, and concerts, the festival engages all generations in an atmosphere of authentic Sicilian conviviality.
A symbol of identity
As the municipal administration has emphasized, the Wheat Festival is "a symbol of our identity," a tribute to the land and the people who guard it with hard work and passion. For those visiting south-eastern Sicily, it is the ideal opportunity to discover a village rich in history, combining the festival with a visit to the Baroque monuments of Chiaramonte Gulfi and the flavors of Iblean cuisine.
Wheat Festival — edition 2026
Wheat Festival 2026 - Fourth Edition
The fourth edition of the Wheat Festival in Chiaramonte Gulfi was held on June 13 and 14, 2026, organized by the Associazione Culturale Femminile 8 Marzo. On Saturday, June 13, the markets opened at 5:00 PM, followed at 6:30 PM by the procession of Sicilian carriages and carts by Scuderia Runza, and at 7:00 PM by the "bread-making as it used to be done" demonstration with the opening of the ancient grain tasting stand. The evening continued at 8:30 PM with a rhythmic gymnastics performance by Ludens Dance of Ragusa, and at 9:00 PM with comedy by Mariuccia Cannata and live music by the Trio Band.
On Sunday, June 14, from 4:30 PM, the craft markets opened, followed at 5:30 PM by the "how bread was made" demonstration with briula and briuni, followed by performances by the Gruppo Danze Familiari and the folk group Sicilia Bedda. The protagonists were the ancient grains of the Ragusa area: Tumminia, Russello, Perciasacchi, Maiorca, and Senatore Cappelli.
Programme Wheat Festival 2026
Saturday, June 13, 2026
- 5:00 PM - Opening of craft and local product markets
- 6:30 PM - Procession of Sicilian carriages and carts (Scuderia Runza)
- 7:00 PM - "Bread-making as it used to be done" demonstration and opening of ancient grain tasting stand
- 8:30 PM - Rhythmic gymnastics performance (Ludens Dance, Ragusa)
- 9:00 PM - Comedy with Mariuccia Cannata and live music by the Trio Band
Sunday, June 14, 2026
- 4:30 PM - Opening of craft markets
- 5:30 PM - "How bread was made" demonstration with briula and briuni
- Following - Performances by the Gruppo Danze Familiari and the folk group Sicilia Bedda, group dances in the square
Highlights Wheat Festival 2026
- Procession of Sicilian carriages and carts by Scuderia Runza
- Tastings of ancient grains: Tumminia, Russello, Perciasacchi, Maiorca, Senatore Cappelli
- Traditional bread-making demonstrations
- Folk dances with Sicilia Bedda and the Gruppo Danze Familiari
- Craft and local product markets
Prices Wheat Festival 2026
Practical information — Wheat Festival
How to get there
Chiaramonte Gulfi is located in the province of Ragusa, in the Iblei Mountains. By car, it can be reached via the SS194 and the provincial roads connecting Ragusa (approx. 20 km) and Vittoria. The nearest airports are Comiso (approx. 30 km) and Catania Fontanarossa (approx. 90 km). The reference train station is Ragusa.
Admission and hours
Admission to the event is free. The events take place in the historic center, between Piazza Duomo and Corso Umberto, generally from late afternoon until late evening.
Tips
We recommend combining your visit with exploring the village, which is listed among the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy, and its panoramic views over the Iblei Mountains. It is a convenient location for those who also wish to visit the Baroque Val di Noto.
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Where does it take place — Wheat Festival
Centro storico (Piazza Duomo, Corso Umberto)